New Blue Jackets GM dismisses coach Pascal Vincent
FILE PHOTO: Apr 7, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Pascal Vincent comes off the ice after their loss to the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
The Columbus Blue Jackets fired coach Pascal Vincent after one season on Monday.
The Blue Jackets went 27-43-12 last season and their 66 points were the fewest in the Metropolitan Division and the Eastern Conference.
The change comes less than three weeks after Don Waddell took over as general manager and president of hockey operations.
"As I spent time with Pascal over the past few weeks, I found him to be an outstanding person and smart hockey coach who worked very hard last year under trying circumstances, but I believe a change behind the bench is in our team's best interest," Waddell said in a news release. "On behalf of the organization, I want to thank Pascal for his work ethic, professionalism and contributions during his three seasons with the Blue Jackets."
Vincent, 52, was an assistant coach for two seasons with the Blue Jackets and was promoted to head coach after the resignation of Mike Babcock.
Waddell was hired by Columbus on May 28 after spending the past six seasons in a similar role with the Carolina Hurricanes. His task is to transform a team that has finished last in the East in back-to-back seasons and has missed the postseason in four straight seasons.
Upon taking the job, Waddell said he would take some time to study Vincent before making a decision. He said he hadn't previously met Vincent.
"You don't walk into a new place where people sit here and make changes without having a reason to change," Waddell said in late May.
No decisions were announced involving the rest of the coaching staff. The Blue Jackets are moving forward in a search of a new coach.
--Field Level Media