In a swift and sudden move, the Columbus Blue Jackets have brought in Don Waddell as their new general manager, seeking a much-needed culture change to propel the team to success in the future. Waddell, assuming the roles of president of hockey operations and GM, took over from the long-standing Jarmo Kekalainen, who oversaw a record of 410-362-97 during his 11-year tenure, with only one deep playoff run to show for it.
Waddell wasted no time in asserting his expectations for the team, emphasizing that a shift in mentality is needed. “The one thing is, I’m not saying it was everybody, but losing was acceptable [here] and losing is not acceptable,” Waddell declared on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio, making it clear that the ultimate goal for the Blue Jackets should always be winning the Stanley Cup, not just a handful of regular-season victories.
Reflecting on the previous season, which saw Columbus languishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a disappointing 27-43-12 record, Waddell acknowledged the challenges faced. Injuries to key players like captain Boone Jenner, Patrik Laine, and rookie Adam Fantilli, coupled with a turbulent coaching situation with Mike Babcock’s brief stint, contributed to the team’s struggles.
Veteran defenseman Erik Gudbranson echoed Waddell’s sentiments, stressing the need for a new approach. “We have to get something out of every single day, we can’t lose a day,” Gudbranson emphasized to NHL.com. “We’re not in a position to do so. We did that the last two years and it did not work out well. We’ve got to get our culture going the right way.”
With the mandate for change clear, the Columbus Blue Jackets are poised for a transformation under Waddell’s leadership, aiming to revive their fortunes and set their sights on championship glory.
