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Howson And Arniel May Be Out

October 30, 2011, 10:16 AM ET [ Comments]
Eric Smith
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The Dispatch is reporting that they have had several sources tell them that as soon as Monday that both head coach Scott Arniel and General Manager Scott Howson could get their pink slips.

Multiple NHL sources have informed The Dispatch early today that Jackets president Mike Priest has contacted Ken Hitchcock about returning as the club’s coach, and that former Calgary Flames general manager Craig Button has been contacted about taking on the same job with the Jackets.


Bringing back Hitchcock both makes sense and is a crazy idea all at the same time. On the one hand this team is bleeding money, with a high payroll and low attendance, and already has Hitch on the payroll so why not stick him behind the bench. On the other hand, the Hitch style of hockey fits this personnel about as well as a shoe works as a hat.

Will Button come in here and completely trade everything and reinvent the franchise? Doubt it. Folks, this is what you have this year until the trade deadline and maybe that is what ownership is thinking that they want a general manager here to be able to evaluate the team before the deadline hits.

Button responded via Twitter to the rumors, "While it's flattering to be mentioned in GM rumors, I've had no contact with Columbus. I wish Scott H. the best to turn things around."

There may not be anything to this as many rumors come and go without any action especially with the Blue Jackets. President Mike Priest may not be ready to chop heads yet but he knows where the knives are.

Why it has come to this was evident in last nights game against Chicago. The picture of the coaching problems comes into focus before the game even starts when it's announced that Allen York will make his first NHL start on the road against a inner conference team.

I understand that Steve Mason has played the first 10 games of the season and needs a rest but why not rest him against Buffalo the game before? Instead you throw the 22 year old rookie to the wolves, or the Hawks as it were, to try and get the win.

Then usually the defense will show "stiffness" when a rookie is getting his first night in the net. Instead the team gives up 38 shots on net and thus loses 5-2. At what point do you throw your hands up when it comes to Aaron Johnson and Kris Russell and their defensive play? Yet, Arniel continues to run them out there in critical moments and continues to get burned.

I personnelly don't think this is a general manager problem as it sits right now but Howson did hire Arniel and give him the players to use. I've always thought he needed to put more input into who plays and doesn't play but by all accounts has a hands off approach and lets his coaches coach. It might end up costing him his job.
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