A Season of Struggles
The tenure of Vincent as head coach marked a difficult period for the Blue Jackets, culminating in a disappointing season. The team concluded the season with a record of 27-43-12, securing the fewest points in the Eastern Conference and the fourth-fewest in the entire NHL. This performance meant that the Blue Jackets missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
November was particularly brutal for the team, as they endured nine straight losses and managed to win only three of their 15 games that month. The struggles did not stop there, with the team encountering eight separate three-game losing streaks, ending the season with a four-game spiral from April 7 through April 13.
Defensive struggles were one of the major issues, with the Blue Jackets allowing the second-most goals per game in the league. Their special teams were also underwhelming, with the power play ranking as the second-worst in the NHL and the penalty kill falling into the bottom 10. Offensively, the team did not fare much better, scoring the 24th fewest goals per game.
Leadership Changes
Amidst the turmoil, the Blue Jackets decided to make significant changes at the leadership level. In February, the team parted ways with General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen, who had been with the organization since the 2012-13 season. By May, the team hired Don Waddell, the former General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, to fill the roles of GM and President of Hockey Operations. Waddell's task is to steer the organization in a new direction and address the pressing issues, including 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 unexpected circumstances, with Mike Babcock resigning less than a month before the regular season due to allegations of violating players' privacy.
Vincent was commended for his dedication and hard work under trying conditions. However, it became clear that a change behind the bench was in the team's best interest. In a statement, the organization expressed their gratitude: "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
The Blue Jackets are now the only NHL team with a head coaching vacancy, as eight teams have either hired a new coach or promoted an interim coach to a permanent role, with the most recent being Ryan Warsofsky with the San Jose Sharks. The incoming coach will face the challenge of revamping the squad and driving necessary improvements across the board.
Fans and the franchise are looking forward with cautious optimism. The hope is that new leadership can reinvigorate the team, restore past glories, and bring renewed success. The Blue Jackets and their faithful supporters are ready to embark on a new chapter, filled with the promise of a brighter future.
In reflecting on Pascal Vincent's tenure, Waddell expressed his thoughts: "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. 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."