A Season of Struggles
Vincent's tenure as head coach of the Blue Jackets was marked by significant struggles. The team finished the season with a 27-43-12 record, collecting the fewest points in the Eastern Conference and the fourth-fewest across the entire NHL. This marked the fourth consecutive season in which the Blue Jackets missed the playoffs.
November was particularly brutal, with the team enduring nine straight losses and winning only three of their 15 games. Throughout the season, the Blue Jackets experienced eight separate three-game losing streaks, culminating in a four-game spiral from April 7 through April 13. Defensively, the team allowed the second-most goals per game, while their offense was stymied, scoring the 24th fewest goals per game. Special teams also struggled, as the power play ranked second-worst in the league and the penalty kill was in the bottom ten.
Leadership Changes
In February, a major change took place in the Blue Jackets' front office. General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen, who had been with the organization since the 2012-13 season, was fired. The organization brought in Don Waddell, formerly the General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, in May to fill the roles of General Manager and President of Hockey Operations. Waddell was tasked with steering the Blue Jackets in a new direction, and one of his immediate challenges was to address the head coaching situation.
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. His promotion to head coach occurred under unusual circumstances, as Mike Babcock resigned less than a month before the regular season. Babcock's resignation came amidst allegations of violating players' privacy.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Vincent was commended for his dedication and hard work. However, it became clear that a change behind the bench was in the team's best interest. On behalf of the organization, Waddell expressed gratitude for Vincent's work ethic, professionalism, and contributions during his tenure with the Blue Jackets.
Looking Forward
With Vincent's departure, the Blue Jackets became the only NHL team with a head coaching vacancy. Eight other teams have either hired a new coach or promoted an interim coach to a permanent role, with the most recent addition being Ryan Warsofsky to the San Jose Sharks. The incoming coach will face the daunting challenge of revamping the squad and improving performance across the board.
The team is poised to embark on a new chapter, and the Blue Jackets' faithful remain cautiously optimistic that new leadership can reinvigorate the team. The hope is to restore past glories and bring renewed success to a franchise that has struggled in recent years. As Waddell noted, Vincent is an outstanding person and a smart hockey coach who worked diligently under tough circumstances. However, change is necessary for the team's future success.