A Season of Struggles
Vincent's tenure as head coach saw the Blue Jackets floundering. With a final record of 27-43-12, the team finished with the fewest points in the Eastern Conference and the fourth-fewest points in the entire NHL. For the fourth consecutive season, they missed the playoffs, a trend that culminated in a particularly rough November. During that month, the Blue Jackets endured nine straight losses, winning only three of their 15 games.
The team also experienced eight separate three-game losing streaks, with the last stretch being a four-game spiral from April 7 through April 13. Their defensive struggles were glaring, as they allowed the second-most goals per game. Offensively, they were nearly as ineffective, boasting the second-worst power play and ranking 24th in goals per game. Their penalty kill was also subpar, ranking in the bottom 10.
Leadership Changes
Amid these struggles, changes in leadership were inevitable. In February, the Blue Jackets fired General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen, ending his tenure with the organization that began in the 2012-13 season. In May, the Blue Jackets brought in Don Waddell, the former General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, to fill the roles of GM and President of Hockey Operations.
Waddell was tasked with steering the team in a new direction, and his immediate challenge included addressing the head coaching position. The Blue Jackets' management hoped that new leadership could serve as the catalyst for a much-needed turnaround.
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 promoted to head coach under unusual circumstances, as Mike Babcock resigned less than a month before the regular season amid allegations of violating players' privacy.
Vincent was commended for his dedication and hard work under trying circumstances. Despite his commitment, it was clear 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," said Waddell. "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 is in contrast to eight teams that have already hired a new coach or promoted 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 formidable challenge of revamping the squad. Improvement is necessary across the board, from offense to defense, special teams, and overall team morale. The Blue Jackets' faithful are hopeful that new leadership can reinvigorate the team, bringing a fresh perspective and much-needed success.
The franchise is poised to embark on a new chapter, with the hope of restoring past glories and bringing renewed success. As the Blue Jackets look forward with cautious optimism, the organization remains committed to finding the right leader to guide them out of this challenging period.
The Blue Jackets and their fans are eagerly anticipating the announcement of a new head coach, confident that this pivotal change will ignite the spark needed to overcome their recent struggles and set the team on a path towards success.