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Columbus Blue Jackets' interest in coach Todd McLellan: What we know

brian hedger, columbus dispatch
·4 min read

The Blue Jackets appear to be targeting Todd McLellan as the 12th head coach in franchise history.

McLellan, 56, is a seasoned NHL coach who has run the bench for three teams, including the Los Angeles Kings this past season. After being replaced in February by assistant Jim Hiller, McLellan is available and has a resume the Blue Jackets are seeking after president of hockey operations/general manager Don Waddell opted to replace Pascal Vincent.

Waddell arrived in Las Vegas on Tuesday to prepare for this weekend's NHL draft. Along with finalizing draft rankings, interviewing prospective coaches may also be on the agenda for the Jackets' executive team. McLellan appears to be atop the list.

Oct 15, 2022; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Kings head coach Todd McLellan looks on during the third period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2022; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Kings head coach Todd McLellan looks on during the third period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Here’s what we know:

NHL sources think McLellan is Columbus Blue Jackets’ top target

The Dispatch spoke with NHL industry sources who believe that McLellan is the Jackets’ top choice. One was told a job offer was extended, but Waddell told The Dispatch on Tuesday that no offers had been issued. The Blue Jackets’ apparent interest in McLellan does appear to be spreading.

Media insiders feel Todd McLellan is leading candidate to coach Columbus Blue Jackets

McLellan’s name first surfaced in connection with the Blue Jackets on Tuesday in a Twitter/X post by ESPN’s John Buccigross, who stated: “Hearing Todd McLellan is getting traction to be next coach in Columbus for the Blue Jackets. Their decision should be soon.”

Wednesday morning, TSN's Elliotte Friedman appeared on SiriusXM’s NHL channel and said McLellan “could be the guy” for the Blue Jackets.

“I think that’s very real,” Friedman said.

Nov 14, 2022; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Los Angeles Kings head coach Todd McLellan on his bench against the Calgary Flames during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2022; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Los Angeles Kings head coach Todd McLellan on his bench against the Calgary Flames during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Todd McLellan had one year left on contract with Los Angeles Kings

Prior to this past season, McLellan signed a one-year contract extension that runs through 2024-25. It’s unclear whether the Kings paid it off in a lump sum as part of the decision to fire him, but it could lead to a discount for the Blue Jackets either way.

Head coaching jobs in the NHL aren’t easy to find, there are lots of qualified candidates hunting for them and McLellan made a reported $5 million a year on a five-year contract with the Kings that expired after this season.

Will he look to break the bank before accepting an offer to coach his fourth NHL team or might the seasoned coach be willing to work with the upstart Jackets to work out a salary number that works for both sides and quickly puts him back to work in Columbus?

Jan 27, 2023; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Kings head coach Todd McLellan looks on during the second period against the Florida Panthers at FLA Live Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Mowry-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2023; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Kings head coach Todd McLellan looks on during the second period against the Florida Panthers at FLA Live Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Mowry-USA TODAY Sports

Todd McLellan previously coached San Jose Sharks, Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings

McLellan got his first NHL break as an assistant with the Detroit Red Wings for three seasons. He worked under coach Mike Babcock, who was hired by the Blue Jackets last year to replace Brad Larsen before an alleged privacy scandal during 1-on-1 summer player meetings led to his resignation.

McLellan hasn’t had any similar controversies after moving into head coaching roles with the San Jose Sharks (2008-15), Edmonton Oilers (2015-19) and Kings (2019-24). He has run an NHL bench in 1,144 career games, going 598-412-134 with a .581 winning percentage during regular season games.

McLellan ranks 24th all-time among NHL coaches in points gained (1,330) and he's seventh among active coaches. His teams have qualified for the playoffs nine times in a 16-year career, culminating in a 42-46 postseason record (.477) that includes back-to-back advancements to the Western Conference final in 2010 and 2011 with the Sharks.

May 29, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Don Waddell has been hired as president of hockey operations and general manager for the Columbus Blue Jackets during a media press conference at Nationwide Arena.
May 29, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Don Waddell has been hired as president of hockey operations and general manager for the Columbus Blue Jackets during a media press conference at Nationwide Arena.

Columbus Blue Jackets expected to announce next head coach soon

Waddell has said the Blue Jackets don’t anticipate making a big splash on the unrestricted free agent market, but that doesn’t mean they won’t target any UFAs.

Assuming they have interest in adding experienced depth to the lineup via free agency, those players will want to know what coach they’ll play for next season. That means it’s likely the Blue Jackets will name their next coach before Monday arrives to open the NHL’s free agency period.

bhedger@dispatch.com

@BrianHedger

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: NHL: Columbus Blue Jackets may be targeting Todd McLellan as new coach