LAS VEGAS — The Blue Jackets are the only NHL team without a head coach , and Don Waddell isn't rushing to hire a replacement for Pascal Vincent before free agency arrives Monday.
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The Jackets' president of hockey operations/general manager spoke with reporters Saturday after the 2024 NHL draft at Sphere Las Vegas and said he hasn't conducted formal interviews yet. Those could start Sunday, but Waddell isn't feeling any pressure.
"I've talked to some people," Waddell said. "I'm going to start that process here in the next few days for sure. We're the only team looking for a coach, and this week was going to be a busy week with free agency (ahead), which probably won't have a whole lot happen (for us). So, as I get into it, I want to be able to stick with it and get somebody hired."
Multiple reports last week stated that former Los Angeles Kings coach Todd McLellan was "gaining ground" in the Blue Jackets' search . Sources within the NHL/AHL coaching network confirmed those reports to the Dispatch, so it appears Waddell is targeting McLellan early in the process.
Waddell returned to his home in Raleigh, North Carolina on Saturday after presiding over his first draft with the Blue Jackets. He signed off on two trades while in Vegas – sending Alexandre Texier to the St. Louis Blues on Friday and combining two picks Saturday to grab goalie Evan Gardner in the late second round – but Waddell didn't pull off any "hockey trades" involving NHL players going both directions.
The roster he inherited remains largely the same. Patrik Laine and Elvis Merzlikins are still with the Blue Jackets despite each making trade requests during the past six months. Five NHL players are pending restricted free agents, with free agency on the horizon, and the top coaching role is vacant. Those are a lot of items on Waddell's "to-do" list, but he plans to tackle each one methodically.
That included talking to the agents for three of the unsigned RFAs at the draft, but finding a new coach has the bulk of his attention now.
"It's going to go beyond Monday, but I don't anticipate a whole lot (happening for us) in free agency," Waddell said. "We're going to try and tweak a few things, but even (Sunday), I'll be back in Raleigh and I might do a couple (interviews) ... and I could find some time Monday and Tuesday."
Not having a head coach, Waddell knows could be a hurdle in convincing any UFA to sign with Columbus. More important, however, is finding an experienced coach to guide the Blue Jackets back to relevance.
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"It will probably be a question," Waddell said. "I've said it publicly that I want somebody with NHL experience. We're looking for structure and accountability, so I think what you're looking for is probably as important right now as the coach's name."
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: NHL news: Columbus Blue Jackets will not name a coach by free agency
