Jim Hiller announced as next head coach of the Blue Jackets

After a shaky start Blue Jackets general manager Andrew Payeur announced that the team had dismissed head coach Jay Woodcroft and immediately hired Jim Hiller to a new three year contract. Woodcroft was given the benefit of the doubt with Jack Eichel injured and missing the majority of the beginning of the season, but even this his return the team has struggled to find consistency. The coaching maneuver comes on the heels of a trade with the Minnesota wild to move the teams 6th defenceman for a 2026 2nd round pick in a failed attempt at sparking the team. 

Jim Hiller is hired with no previous head coaching experience in the EHE but a long career as an assistance coach. The team hopes that his defence first approach and player friendly attitude can turn this season around and get the Jackets back into a playoff spot. Otherwise further roster moves are expected, which several pending free agents wondering when their phones will ring.