Jay Woodcroft one of the favorites to land Eastern conference coaching job

PUBLICATION

Josh Tupper
July 12, 2024 (11:55)

SHARE THIS STORY

Jay Woodcroft Among Top Candidates for Columbus Blue Jackets Head Coach Position

Jay Woodcroft has been without a job for eight months since being fired by the Edmonton Oilers early in the 2023-24 season, but he is now in contention for a new coaching gig. The Columbus Blue Jackets, the last NHL team with a head coaching vacancy, are poised to hire their new bench boss soon, with training camps just two months away.

According to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, Jay Woodcroft and former Minnesota Wild head coach Dean Evason are among the top candidates for the Blue Jackets' job. General Manager Don Waddell has interviewed both Evason and Woodcroft multiple times. Additionally, both coaches worked with Rick Nash, a member of the Blue Jackets' management staff, at the 2024 IIHF World Hockey Championship in Czechia in May.

"Dean Evason, who coached the Minnesota Wild for parts of five seasons before he was fired early in 2023-24, has interviewed multiple times with Waddell and others in the Blue Jackets' front office. So has Jay Woodcroft, who coached the Edmonton Oilers for parts of three seasons before he, too, was fired early last season," Portzline said.

He added, "Interestingly, Evason and Woodcroft were assistant coaches together on Team Canada's entry at the IIHF World Championships this spring in Czechia. Blue Jackets development coach Rick Nash, who has taken on a larger role under Waddell, was the general manager of that club."

The Blue Jackets have been without a head coach since June when Pascal Vincent was fired after just one season. Vincent was thrust into the head coaching role less than a month before the 2023-24 season after Mike Babcock resigned due to allegations that he asked players to share personal photos from their mobile devices. Babcock's resignation followed an investigation by the NHLPA.

As the Blue Jackets aim to take the next step in their rebuild/retool, the decision on who will lead the team behind the bench is crucial. Both Jay Woodcroft and Dean Evason are strong candidates, and the Blue Jackets would benefit from hiring either coach.

Source: Aaron Portzline/The Athletic
Blue Jackets coaching search: What are the latest developments? Who might be out?