'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Todd McLellan ruled out of contention for Columbus Blue Jackets head coach role: Report
According to reports, Todd McLellan is out of the running for the Columbus Blue Jackets' head coaching role. Currently, the Blue Jackets are working to narrow down their coaching search given that they are the only team in the entirety of the NHL without a head coach.
As NHL insider Aaron Portzline of The Athletic revealed, negotiations between the two sides took a turn for the worse this week. As a result, McLellan is now seemingly out of the running for the Columbus Blue Jacket's coaching job unless the team were to come back with a different offer.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Portzline shared an update on the situation:
"Told Todd McLellan is out of the running to be the next #CBJ coach. Between #CBJ, McLellan, and his former club, #GoKingsGo, an agreement on a multi-year contract could not be reached. Possible #CBJ circle back with an adjusted offer."
While the Columbus Blue Jackets continue to search for a head coach, McLellan will likely find himself on the lookout for his next opportunity. After being fired halfway through the 2023-24 season after just 48 games, it's unclear what the 2024-25 season has in store for the veteran coach.
Looking at other candidates who could be named head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets after Todd McLellan was ruled out
With Todd McLellan now reportedly out of the running, the big question is who will wind up leading the Columbus Blue Jackets next season? Previous reports had indicated that one of the candidates on the table was none other than recently reinstated coach Joel Quenneville.
Despite that, nothing ever came to fruition, with the Blue Jackets never making Quenneville a formal offer. Given that the embattled former coach would come with a lot of controversy, the move wasn't entirely surprising. However, it has raised questions about what the future holds for the Blue Jackets.
With Todd McLellan and Joel Quenneville out, the two leading frontrunners to land the Blue Jackets coaching job now are Dean Evason and Jay Woodcroft.
Evason spent just over four years with the Minnesota Wild before getting fired just 19 games into the 2024-25 season following a 5-10-4 start. On the flip side, in the case of Woodcroft, he was fired by the Edmonton Oilers last season after only 13 games following a 3-9-1 start.
In the case of both coaches, neither has made it out of the first round while coaching an NHL team, raising questions about whether either can lead the Columbus Blue Jackets' young core to success as the team rebuilds.
With the Blue Jackets coaching search now narrowed down even further, it seems like it is only a matter of time before a new coach is announced.
Trending
