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An accounting: The 10 Columbus Blue Jackets coaches who shaped franchise history

michael arace, columbus dispatch
·1 min read
(nhl draft) Rick Nash meets Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Dave King at the Blue Jackets table after Nash was drafted first at the National Hockey League 2002 Draft at the Air Canada Center in Toronto, June 22, 2002. Nash was the Blue Jacket's first round draft choice. Dispatch photo by Neal C. Lauron
(nhl draft) Rick Nash meets Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Dave King at the Blue Jackets table after Nash was drafted first at the National Hockey League 2002 Draft at the Air Canada Center in Toronto, June 22, 2002. Nash was the Blue Jacket's first round draft choice. Dispatch photo by Neal C. Lauron

A history of Columbus Blue Jackets coaches, in thumbnail form:

Dave King (2000-03, 64-106-34)

In the Blue Jackets’ inaugural season, they became only the third expansion team since 1968 to surpass 70 points in their first season.

Former Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Doug Maclean speaks during the No. 61 jersey retirement ceremony for Rick Nash prior to the NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 5, 2022.
Former Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Doug Maclean speaks during the No. 61 jersey retirement ceremony for Rick Nash prior to the NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 5, 2022.

Doug MacLean (2003-04, 24-43-12)

Had a reputation for being a good coach when he hired himself, and his reputation suffered.

Gerard Gallant was with the Blue Jackets, first as an assistant and then as a head coach, from 2000-06.
Gerard Gallant was with the Blue Jackets, first as an assistant and then as a head coach, from 2000-06.

Gerard Gallant (2004-06, 56-76-10)

While he became a successful journeyman coach in the league, Columbus was his baptism by fire.

(HITCH500 PORTZLINE DeCAMP 02/16/2009) Columbus Blue Jackets Head Coach Ken Hitchcock (cq) watches his team in the second period of play at Nationwide Arena Monday night February 16, 2009. (Columbus Dispatch Photo by James D. DeCamp)
(HITCH500 PORTZLINE DeCAMP 02/16/2009) Columbus Blue Jackets Head Coach Ken Hitchcock (cq) watches his team in the second period of play at Nationwide Arena Monday night February 16, 2009. (Columbus Dispatch Photo by James D. DeCamp)

Ken Hitchcock (2006-10, 125-123-36)

Future Hall of Famer led the Jackets to their first playoff berth in 2009.

Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Scott Arniel yells during the second period of a National Hockey League game between Columbus and Dallas at Nationwide Arena on Tuesday, October 18, 2011. (Columbus Dispatch photo by Jonathan Quilter)
Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Scott Arniel yells during the second period of a National Hockey League game between Columbus and Dallas at Nationwide Arena on Tuesday, October 18, 2011. (Columbus Dispatch photo by Jonathan Quilter)

Scott Arniel (2010-12, 45-60-18)

The Jackets’ second GM, Scott Howson, made a few mistakes, and Arniel was one of them.

Todd Richards (2012-15, 127-112-21)

Led Jackets to their second playoff berth, in 2014.

John Tortorella (2015-21, 227-166-54)

Future Hall of Famer led Jackets to three playoff berths and their only postseason series victory, a sweep of the mighty Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019.

Brad Larsen (2021-23, 62-86-16)

His injury-riddled teams were among the worst in franchise history.

Mike Babcock (2023, 0-0-0)

The biggest coaching mistake in Jackets history, which is saying something, he was relieved of his duties after a union investigation revealed how deeply he had invaded the privacy of his players.

Nov 16, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Pascal Vincent yells from the bench during the second period of the NHL hockey game against the Arizona Coyotes at Nationwide Arena.
Nov 16, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Pascal Vincent yells from the bench during the second period of the NHL hockey game against the Arizona Coyotes at Nationwide Arena.

Pascal Vincent (2023-present)

Will he be the best coach in franchise history? It’s possible. The bar is not that high.

(This list does not include interims: Gary Agnew for five games in 2006 and Claude Noel for 24 games in 2010.)

marace@dispatch.com

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: A list of Columbus Blue Jackets coaches