The intriguing roadblock in the Blue Jackets’ coaching quest

Two people have withdrawn from consideration to coach the Columbus Blue Jackets for the 2024–25 NHL season, leaving the team still without a permanent head coach. According to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, Todd McLellan, who was a finalist for the head coaching position, will not be taking over the franchise because of issues stemming from his previous contract with the Los Angeles Kings, which forbade a multi-year arrangement with Columbus. Furthermore, according to Brian Hedger of the Columbus Dispatch, Jeff Blashill, who is connected to both USA Hockey and general manager Don Waddell, is not being considered for the position.

Given that the Blue Jackets and McLellan traded compensation information, the Portzline report makes it seem like the Blue Jackets were courting McLellan as their main choice. Los Angeles is still owing McLellan the money from the one-year contract extension he signed with the Kings organisation. If he had been named head coach for the 2024-25 season, he would have been paid that amount. The Blue Jackets would have to negotiate with the Kings organisation to hire McLellan as their head coach, since his former contract is still being honoured.

It is possible, as pointed out by Portzline in his report, that Columbus may negotiate a deal with the Kings after initially going around McLellan. The Blue Jackets’ pursuit of a new head coach might narrow down to just two candidates, Jay Woodcroft and Dean Evason, if this doesn’t happen. The Edmonton Oilers fired Woodcroft and the Minnesota Wild both in the middle of the season, just as they had McLellan.

The coaching resumes of the two finalists pale in comparison to that of McLellan, who has a 598-412-134 record in his career with the San Jose Sharks, the Edmonton Oilers, and the Los Angeles Kings. In his sixteen years as head coach, McLellan has guided nine different teams to the playoffs. While at San Jose, his club reached the Western Conference Final.