Don Waddell doesn't hold back and rips the Columbus Blue Jackets and their culture
Don Waddell didn't hold back when asked about the Columbus Blue Jackets and their current culture.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are currently in a rebuild, with the franchise not making the playoffs since 2020. New general manager Don Waddell knows the process is going to take time but is ready to change the losing mindset in Columbus.
"The one thing is, I'm not saying it was everybody, but losing was acceptable (here) and losing is not acceptable," he said, according to NHL.com's Dave McCarthy. "We have a ways to go building this, but our goal every year should be to win the Stanley Cup, not just to win some games. It's a mindset."
«I believe what happened last year, talking to everybody, things didn't go well and they had a lot of injuries at the beginning of the year and fell out of the race pretty quick [and] they just kind of played out the season. And we have to change that.»
«I believe what happened last year, talking to everybody, things didn't go well and they had a lot of injuries at the beginning of the year and fell out of the race pretty quick [and] they just kind of played out the season. And we have to change that.»
The Blue Jackets finished in the bottom five of the league last season with a record of 27-43-12 record. Injuries were definitely a factor for the franchise last campaign but Waddell doesn't view it as an excuse for poor play.
"(They) fell out of the race pretty quick (and) they just kind of played out the season," he said. "And we have to change that."
The Blue Jackets franchise is a long way from being a serious contender for the Stanley Cup but fans should feel good having Waddell in charge. He has helped build one Metro division franchise the Carolina Hurricanes into a powerhouse and will likely do it again in due time.
| POLL | ||
How many seasons until the Blue Jackets are back in the playoffs? | ||
| Two seasons | 15 | 15.8 % |
| Three seasons | 31 | 32.6 % |
| Five seasons | 30 | 31.6 % |
| More than five seasons | 19 | 20 % |
| List of polls | ||
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