The Columbus Blue Jackets are facing a critical decision in their franchise’s history: who will be their next general manager? As the regular season concludes, the Blue Jackets have initiated the process of selecting candidates for interviews. However, their ability to finalize this decision may be delayed until later in the playoffs, allowing them to fully assess all potential candidates.
An often overlooked aspect of this situation is noteworthy. Consider this question as we analyze the scenario: Can you recall a time when the Blue Jackets had a general manager or coach among the highest paid in the league?
Setting the Scene
If you struggled to find an answer to this question, you’re not alone. Throughout their history, the Blue Jackets have rarely splurged on top-tier coaches and executives. Despite having notable figures like Ken Hitchcock and John Tortorella at the helm, they were never among the highest-paid in their profession.
Interestingly, the Blue Jackets have been willing to spend generously on star players. Contracts for players like Zach Werenski and attempts to retain talents like Johnny Gaudreau and Artemi Panarin showcase this. However, this same financial commitment hasn’t extended to coaching and management, at least not yet. This discrepancy ultimately reflects the ownership’s priorities and willingness to invest in different aspects of the team.
For such a crucial hiring decision, no expense should be spared. Every avenue to attract the right personnel must be explored, even if it means offering top-tier compensation packages. If the Blue Jackets are earnest about climbing out of the NHL’s bottom ranks, they must demonstrate their commitment through decisive actions like these.
Current State
For the past two years, Brad Larsen and now Pascal Vincent have been at the helm of the Blue Jackets, but despite their efforts, the team remains far from playoff contention in the NHL. Both Larsen and Vincent are inexperienced as head coaches, attempting to lead a team that boasts both seasoned veterans and promising young players. Unfortunately, this approach hasn’t yielded success since John Tortorella’s departure.
Vincent’s future with the team is uncertain, pending evaluation by the next general manager. Notably, he isn’t among the highest-paid coaches in the league and is still relatively new to the role.
It’s evident that the Blue Jackets need to revamp their hiring strategies, not only in management but also in coaching. They must demonstrate a commitment to attracting top-tier talent, which includes offering competitive compensation.
