A Season of Struggles for the Blue Jackets
Vincent's tenure as head coach saw the Blue Jackets floundering throughout the season. The team finished with a 27-43-12 record, positioning them as the holders of the fewest points in the Eastern Conference and the fourth-fewest in the entire NHL. This disappointing performance meant they missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
The team's struggles were apparent early on as they endured nine straight losses in November, managing to win only three of their 15 games that month. Their inconsistent form continued, with the Blue Jackets experiencing eight separate three-game losing streaks over the course of the season, culminating in a four-game spiral from April 7 through April 13.
Defensive and Special Teams Woes
Defensively, the Blue Jackets were among the worst in the league, allowing the second-most goals per game. Their special teams also left much to be desired, with the power play ranking as the second-worst and the penalty kill landing in the bottom 10. Offensively, they fared slightly better but still struggled, scoring the 24th fewest goals per game in the league.
Leadership Changes
The Blue Jackets' management took decisive action in February by firing General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen, who had been with the organization since the 2012-13 season. In his place, the team brought in Don Waddell, the former General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, in late May. Waddell was tasked with steering the organization in a new direction, filling dual roles as both GM and President of Hockey Operations. His immediate challenge included addressing the head coaching position.
Vincent's Short Tenure
Pascal Vincent's journey with the Blue Jackets began in the 2021-22 season when he was hired as an assistant coach. He was unexpectedly promoted to head coach under unusual circumstances after Mike Babcock resigned less than a month before the regular season amid allegations of violating players' privacy.
Despite the tumultuous situation, Vincent was commended for his dedication and hard work under trying circumstances. However, the organization decided that a change behind the bench was in the team's best interest. "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 under trying circumstances," noted a management representative. "But I believe a change behind the bench is in our team's best interest. On behalf of our organization, I want to thank Pascal for his work ethic, professionalism, and contributions during his three seasons with the Blue Jackets."
Looking Forward
With Vincent's departure, the Blue Jackets are now the only NHL team with a head coaching vacancy. This season saw eight teams hiring a new coach or promoting an interim coach to a permanent role, with the most recent addition being Ryan Warsofsky with the San Jose Sharks.
The incoming coach will face the challenge of revamping a squad in desperate need of improvement across the board. Blue Jackets' faithful hope that new leadership can reinvigorate the team and set them on a path to success. The franchise is poised to embark on a new chapter, with hopes of restoring past glories and bringing renewed success to the team and its fans.
The organization looks forward with cautious optimism, aspiring to create a turnaround and initiate a successful era for the Blue Jackets. The fans and the broader hockey community will be watching closely to see how the changes in leadership will unfold and what impact they will have on the team's performance in the upcoming seasons.