Columbus Blue Jackets believed to be close in hiring new head coach
The Columbus Blue Jackets hired a general manager who they believed was the best man for the job in Don Waddell earlier this summer. Now into the third week of July, it's being reported that the team will be flying what is believed to be the two finalists for their head coaching position that they want in place sooner rather than later.
Aaron Portzline of The Athletic is reporting that the two finalists which likely include former Minnesota Wild coach Dean Evason & former Edmonton Oilers bench boss Jay Woodcroft would be meeting with Blue Jackets brass including Waddell this week.
While the entire process has been long, Waddell would argue that it's been thorough and rightfully so. Initially, it was understood that the GM had twelve names in mind he felt could be the person to lead the team behind the bench in the immediate future. Those included the aforementioned as well as former Los Angeles Kings head coach Todd McLellan.
It is believed that the top three candidates spoke with Waddell about salary structure and whom they wanted as their assistants alongside them and this is where talks with McLellan may have broken down as the Kings still owe him $5.5 million.
So here everyone sits and waits to hear who Waddell believes is the best person for the job in the hopes that the decision doesn't go much past the first week of August because, after that, training camp is just a few weeks away.
| POLL | ||
Who will be the next head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets | ||
| Jay Woodcroft | 21 | 35.6 % |
| Todd McLellan | 19 | 32.2 % |
| Pascal Vincent | 4 | 6.8 % |
| Dean Evason | 15 | 25.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
