Time for Change

The Columbus Blue Jackets named Jay Woodcroft as the fourth Head Coach in franchise history on Friday, signing him to a three year contract and moving on from former head coach Bruce Cassidy. Woodcroft represents a younger voice for the team and someone GM Andrew Payeur hopes can guide their young core to a playoff berth. Bruce Cassidy lead the Blure Jackets to their best season in the 2019-20 season but fell just short of getting the team into the post season in each of the past two seasons. Early on in the process rumours were that the Blue Jackets would invite Cassidy back for another term with the team, but as Cassidy began entertaining competing offers from other teams the Blue Jackets wasted no time in pouncing on their guy in Woodcroft. Now, as the dust from coaching free agency settles, it is Cassidy who is left out in the cold. All NHL head coach vacancies have been filled and it seems he will be sitting idle and waiting for an opportunity when the season gets underway. Cassidy remains by far the most attractive name out there for teams considering a change. 

Woodcroft joins the Blue Jackets as a first time NHL head coach, immediately after winning the Calder Cup with the Utica Comets in the AHL. In three season with the Comets, Woodcroft lead the team to the playoffs each year. A trait Payeur hopes will continue at the next level. Coincidentally, three years ago Cassidy was also hired away in the offseason after a two year coaching stint with the Comets.