Vincent out as Jackets head coach after one season

*Photo from Spectrum News*

   We have another coaching change. According to an announcement Monday by the team, the Columbus Blue Jackets have fired head coach Pascal Vincent after one season.

   Vincent was named the head coach just in time for training camp last season after Mike Babcock resigned months after his hiring due to controversy stemming from private meetings with players. Vincent led the Blue Jackets to a 27-43-12 record in his lone season as head coach after being an assistant coach with the team for two seasons before.

   Before joining the Blue Jackets bench, Vincent was the head coach of the Winnipeg Jets AHL affiliate Manitoba Moose from 2016 to 2021. He has also served as an assistant coach of the Jets and Montreal Canadiens.

   Columbus president of hockey operations and GM Don Waddell said of the decision that "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 last year under trying circumstances, but I believe a change behind the bench is in our team's best interest. On behalf of the organization, I want to thank Pascal for his work ethic, professionalism and contributions during his three seasons with the Blue Jackets."

   Last season, the Blue Jackets ranked 27th in goals per game 31st in goals against per game, 31st in power play scoring, and 25th in penalty killing. They finished at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division for the second straight season.

   Since the 2023-2024 season began, Vincent is now the 11th head coach to be fired in that time frame, with Rick Bowness retiring after coaching the Jets being the 12th change behind the bench since opening night.

   Forward Brendan Gaunce is the Blue Jackets only pending UFA this summer. They do have 6 pending RFA's, with defenseman Jake Bean along with forwards Alexandre Texier, Yegor Chinakhov, Alex Nylander, Kirill Marchenko, and Cole Sillinger needing new contracts.