Welcome to the updates page for everything Columbus Blue Jackets hockey to start off your July. In the hockey world, we are preparing for Tampa Bay to travel to Montreal and contest in games three and four of the Stanley Cup Finals; where other years we would be celebrating the great nations birthdays of the United States and Canada, but also the beginning of the Free Agent Frenzy.
In Columbus, we will talk about the new coaching staff and the trade rumors including Jones, Korpisalo, Merzlikins, Domi, Nyqvist, and Laine.
Coaching Staff
Over the past couple of weeks, we as Columbus fans and analysts have been introduced to the new personnel changes to the club, including the return of President John Davidson after a two year hiatus to the Big Apple, and the promotion of head coach of Brad Larsen from assistant. Larsen has added to his staff, with a new associate coach and an assistant.
Pascal Vincent is the new assistant coach of the Blue Jackets, per the Columbus Blue Jackets through the NHL website and social media channels. Vincent is locked into a three year contract through the 2023-2024 years. Vincent has been with the Jets since their return to Manitoba, and spent the last five years being the head coach of Moose affiliate to the Winnipeg Jets. While Vincent has not had any working relationship with former Jet and current Blue Jackets’ winger Patrik Laine, he has spent two seasons helping the development of Jackets’ hometown boy Jack Roslovic. Roslovic was with Vincent during his most successful year in Manitoba. This will help the development of Roslovic in Columbus brining in some familiarity for himself, and for Vincent and Larsen to help mold the structure they want to play going forward.
Sylvain Lefebvre is the newest assistant coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets through the press release for the franchise. Lefebvre plies in the NHL, winning a Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996, part of the second championship in Denver. Since his playing days, Lefebvre has coached with the NHL and AHL, dating back to 2007 with Lake Erie/Cleveland. His tenure will bring a winning pedigree that has been lost in Columbus since the departure of former head coach John Tortorella.
Per the Columbus Dispatch from June 17, the Columbus Blue Jackets named Brad Thissen as goaltending developmental coach; and Mark Letestu and Derek Dorsett as developmental coaches. Thissen spent the past several seasons with the Cleveland Mosnters besides time with the Penguins organization. Letestu played with Columbus, but also had stints with Pittsburgh; Edmonton; Nashville; and Winnipeg. Dorsett was a Columbus draft pick, and was part of the Marian Gaborik blockbuster that brought him to Columbus. Dorsett had a career ending back injury during his time with Vancouver, in the midst of his hottest performances in his tenure.
Jarmo Kekalainen and John Davidson are looking to show to the city and the alumni that they can succeed with the team, and will show their worth within the organization. Letestu, Dorsett, Thissen, and Rick Nash have all played with Columbus, and are showing their promise with the franchise.
Trade Rumors
On Seth Jones...
After telling the team that he will not resign and will test the waters in the free agency frenzy in 2022. Jones has been linked to multiple teams in different contentions around the league, including the Colorado Avalanche; Philadelphia Flyers; Chicago Blackhawks; Calgary Flames; Los Angeles Kings; Toronto Maple Leafs; and Winnipeg Jets.
The reported price by some analysts is two first round draft picks, but the sense I’m getting and gathering is players with term, and the desire and hope for a true number one center, which was given up in Pierre-Luc Dubois.
On Patrik Laine...
The Finnish sniper has been linked to the Florida Panthers; Anaheim Ducks; and Los Angeles Kings per sources. Florida has the native countryman in center Sasha Barkov; and Anaheim and LA were linked during the Winnipeg Jets trade rumors. Los Angeles has been the heaviest candidate due to Laine’s desire and the Kings’ desire for top 6 forwards.
Laine has had a tough season in Columbus, and has kept all media out of his thoughts as he is determined to get back, but there’s been no contract update from either the team or his camp.
On the Goaltending...
Both Jonas Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins have been linked to similar teams in the rumor mills. Merzlikins was linked last summer to Edmonton for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins; and at the trade deadline to Buffalo for Sam Reinhart. Merzlikins has another year left at $4M; Korpisalo makes $1.8M. Korpisalo is higher ranked on charts due to his salary; whereas Merzlikins is exempt from the expansion draft due to lack of games played in his NHL career.
On Expansion Draft...
Murmurs from the club are saying either Max Domi or Gustav Nyqvist may be left exposed by Columbus to go to Seattle. Domi is going through offseason surgery; Nyqvist has not played since the 2019-2020 postseason due to injuries.
What are your thoughts on the Columbus Blue Jackets in July 2021? Happy 4th of July America and Happy Holidays Canada!
More to come...