A Season of Struggles
Vincent's tenure as head coach saw the Blue Jackets floundering. The team finished with a disappointing 27-43-12 record, accumulating the fewest points in the Eastern Conference and the fourth-fewest points in the entire NHL. This marked the fourth consecutive season the Blue Jackets missed the playoffs.
The season was marred by numerous setbacks. November was particularly brutal, as the team endured nine straight losses and managed to win only three of their 15 games for the month. The struggles weren’t isolated to November alone; the Blue Jackets experienced an almost relentless string of losses, including eight separate three-game losing streaks. The last dire stretch was a four-game spiral from April 7 through April 13.
Defensive woes plagued the team as well. They allowed the second-most goals per game in the league. Offensively, the power play was the second-worst, and the penalty kill ranked in the bottom 10. Overall, they managed to score only the 24th fewest goals per game.
Leadership Changes
In February, the Blue Jackets took a decisive step by firing General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen, who had been with the organization since the 2012-13 season. The move signaled a change in direction and a desire to reverse the disappointing trend of recent seasons.
In May, the franchise brought in Don Waddell, the former General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, hiring him to fill the roles of GM and President of Hockey Operations. Waddell is tasked with steering the club in a new direction, with his immediate challenge being to address 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 promoted to head coach under unusual circumstances after Mike Babcock's resignation 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 efforts, the team's performance did not meet expectations, leading to the decision to relieve him of his duties. As cited by the organization, a change behind the bench is deemed necessary for the team's best interest.
On behalf of the organization, we extend our gratitude to Pascal for his work ethic, professionalism, and contributions during his three seasons with the Blue Jackets.
Looking Forward
As of now, the Blue Jackets are the only NHL team with a head coaching vacancy, with eight other teams having hired new coaches or promoted interim coaches to permanent roles. The most recent addition is Ryan Warsofsky with the San Jose Sharks. The incoming coach for the Blue Jackets will face the monumental task of revamping the squad.
Clearly, improvement is essential across the board. There is cautious optimism among the Blue Jackets' faithful that new leadership can reinvigorate the team. With the franchise poised to embark on a new chapter, the hope is to restore past glories and achieve renewed success.
In a statement, Don Waddell expressed his appreciation for Pascal Vincent, saying, "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."
However, he also emphasized the need for a change, adding, "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."
As the organization looks forward, the focus will be on finding the right leadership to guide the team back to success. The Blue Jackets and their fans are hoping that this pivotal change will mark the beginning of a turnaround, bringing them closer to their ultimate goals.