COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus Blue Jackets homeowners and executives on Monday have been contrite over the pressured resignation of controversial coach Mike Babcock days earlier than the opening of coaching camp and keen to maneuver on from the turmoil that engulfed the group.
“All we can do now is learn from it and do everything we can to help our coaches and players get ready for the season,” stated John Davidson, the Blue Jackets’ president of hockey operations. “I know this is a major misstep that we have to move past.”
Babcock resigned on Sunday after requesting to view images on gamers’ cellphones as a part of a bonding effort led to an investigation final week by the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association. He was gone after two months on the job, with assistant Pascal Vincent tapped to switch him and given a two-year contract.
Despite the misstep, Davidson and common supervisor Jarmo Kekalainen stay accountable for hockey operations, with possession confirming that in a press release.
“We do not anticipate further changes to our hockey leadership team at this time,” the homeowners, led by John P. McConnell, stated. “Additional disruptions would be detrimental to our players and coaches as they prepare for the opening of training camp in two days.”
Kekalainen stated he met with gamers Monday and apologized for the state of affairs.
“At the end of the day, I believed that Mike Babcock deserved another opportunity to coach,” Kekalainen stated on the staff’s beforehand scheduled media day. “Obviously, that was a mistake, and that responsibility is mine.”
Babcock’s conduct was beneath the microscope given his historical past of polarizing, old-school teaching strategies, lots of which got here to gentle after he was fired by Toronto in 2019. This was his first NHL job since.
Vincent, 52, was an assistant beneath fired coach Brad Larsen for the previous two seasons and stayed on when Babcock was employed. He twice interviewed for the job that he acquired after Babcock‘s resignation.
The Laval, Quebec, native stated the previous week was tough. His greatest takeaway from the expertise: “Things change quick.”
“Sometimes you do things a certain way and you’re trying to do the right thing, and you’re not sure where it’s going,” Vincent stated. “The first thing you know is that you’re put in the position that you’ve been dreaming of your whole life. What I’ve learned is, if you do things the proper way and do it for the right reason with the right intentions, you’re ready when the opportunity is presented. That’s how I feel.”
The Blue Jackets have been hoping for a recent begin beneath the veteran Babcock, who had a Stanley Cup championship and two Olympic gold medals on his resume. Injury-plagued Columbus completed final within the Eastern Conference with a document of 25-48-9 and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner, who initially supported Babcock when the conduct questions first surfaced, stated the staff is able to transfer ahead with Vincent.
“There’s been a lot of noise the last little bit for us, where we just want to shift our focus, and with (Vincent) as our coach, we’re looking to do that right away,” Jenner stated.
Forward Patrik Laine, who has recognized Vincent since arriving within the NHL at age 18, stated he respects and appreciates the talents of the brand new coach.
“Obviously, it’s not something anybody wants to go through the week before camp starts, but I feel like we’re a more tight and supportive group right now,” Laine stated. “Everybody’s excited to get the camp going.”
Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com