The Columbus Blue Jackets fired head coach Pascal Vincent on Monday after one year behind the bench.
Columbus finished last in the Eastern Conference this season with a 27-43-12 record and missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.
The Blue Jackets have already retooled their front office. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen was fired mid-season on Feb. 15. Former Carolina Hurricanes executive Don Waddell was named GM and president of hockey operations on May 28 while John Davidson moved into an advisory role.
“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,” Waddell said in a release. “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.”
Vincent, who joined the Blue Jackets as an associate coach in 2021, was promoted to head coach this past September following the resignation of Mike Babcock after his requests to see personal photos on his players’ phones was deemed invasive.
Prior to joining the Blue Jackets, Vincent worked with the Winnipeg Jets organization for 10 years including five as the head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose.
The 52-year-old from Laval, Que., also served as a head coach in the QMJHL with Cape Breton (1999-2008) and Montreal (2008-11).
The Blue Jackets hold the fourth-overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft taking place June 28-29 at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
— With files from The Associated Press.