Blue Jackets News and Rumors: Coaching Changes, Monster Updates and More – Hockey Writers – Columbus Blue Jackets

We welcome you at the end of April. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are well underway for some. For everyone including the Columbus Blue Jackets, their off season continues.

For GM Don Waddell and staff, there’s a lot to figure out over the next few months. They have a number of players to decide on. They have others who need a new contract.

On Friday, the Blue Jackets made significant news by announcing changes to their coaching staff. This is where we will start today News & Rumors.

Three Coaches Will Not Return

The Blue Jackets announced that assistant coaches Scott Ford and Mike Haviland will not return with the team in 2026-27. Their contracts had expired. In addition, video coach Aron Augustitus will not return to the team.

Here’s Waddell on these decisions:

“Following our end of season meetings, Rick and I decided that changes to our coaching staff would be in the best interest of our club moving forward. We are very grateful for the time and hard work that Mike, Scott and Aron have put in during their time with the Blue Jackets and we wish them the best in their future endeavors. We will begin the process of reviewing candidates to join our staff very soon.”

With Rick Bowness agreeing to next season with the green jackets, the fact that there have been changes is not surprising. Ford and Haviland were part of Dean Evason’s staff. Bowness will have the opportunity to put his own team by bringing in his own people.

One word to note here. The current head coach of the Cleveland Monsters is Trent Vogelhuber. While he wouldn’t discuss his future Friday after their Game 1 win, it’s reasonable to believe he has a future on the Blue Jackets staff.

Vogelhuber was associated both as a player with the Monsters and is now their head coach. He has taken them to multiple playoffs including a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals a few seasons ago. The Blue Jackets love the job they’ve done. He’s also familiar with the players he’s coached, some of whom may find themselves competing for an NHL spot in training camp.

Coaching succession programs have become more common in the NHL. Since Bowness has only committed to next season so far, it would make sense for the Blue Jackets to have something in mind if Bowness decides next season that is the case.

One thing Vogelhuber doesn’t have is NHL experience. If he could get a chance to work under Bowness, that would give him the experience he needs to become the Blue Jackets’ coach in the future.

Bowness knows a lot of people around the NHL. But don’t be surprised if they bring in someone who can help jump start the Blue Jackets’ special teams. Bowness made it a point in the exit talks to announce improving their special teams as a priority.

If there’s been one noticeable theme within the Blue Jackets organization, it’s the amount of coaching revenue they have for both head coaches and assistant coaches. One has to wonder how much of an impact this has had on the team especially over the last five years. Since Bowness will only continue next season, there could be more changes down the road.

What will be worth watching is not just who the Blue Jackets bring in, but for how long. They need to find much-needed stability behind the bench in all roles. That’s what makes these decisions so important.

Will there be a replacement for Bowness? Will they be on staff after this upcoming season? The team needs to get these employees right. It is very important that they get them right in this cycle. Why? This is because the Blue Jackets want to make the playoffs in 2026-27. Missing it will also present the organization with very serious questions that must be considered on many fronts.

Monsters Update

The Monsters open their best-of-five series against the Syracuse Crunch at home on Friday and Sunday. They came separately.

The Monsters jumped out to a 3-0 lead Friday night before holding on for a 3-2 win in Game 1. The Crunch responded by shutting Ivan Fedotov out of the game with four early goals. Brandon Halverson allowed a goal to Mikael Pyyhtia in the third period but that was it. Syracuse evened the series with a 4-1 win in Game 2 on Sunday.

The remainder of the series, including Game 5 if necessary, will take place in Syracuse. Pay attention to the plan though. Game 3 is Friday May 1. Game 4 is Sunday May 3. Then if necessary, Game 5 is next Saturday May 9.

It was Evan Gardner who replaced Fedotov in Game 2 marking his AHL debut. He stopped all ten shots he faced. Expect Zach Sawchenko to start Game 3.

An important series for Monsters is to show where they are on their development path. Since the Blue Jackets’ season ended, several staff members have been in Cleveland getting their first looks. Both Waddell and Bowness were in attendance for the Monsters’ final regular season game against Grand Rapids.

Another interesting thing to watch will be the possible roster changes. Jordan Dumais among others was in good health during the first two games of the series. Vogelhuber told those players to always be ready in case their numbers are called. We can see some changes from Ladeluster Game 2.

Side dishes

• Just over a month until the NHL Combine in Buffalo. That happened in the first week of June. The Blue Jackets will likely pick 14th overall in the NHL Draft which also takes place in Buffalo. Expect the team to sharpen themselves with players available at that level. And if it’s anything like last year, don’t be surprised to see the Blue Jackets try to trade that pick for help if they can’t.
• A couple of Blue Jackets prospects have new schools for next season after moving through the transfer portal. Andrew Strathmann is going to Quinnipiac. Meanwhile, Tanner Henricks and Melvin Strahl went to Minnesota.
• Mark your calendars for May 7th. This is where the three Norris Trophy winners will be announced. That’s the day we’ll learn that Zach Werenski has been named a semifinalist for the second season in a row. From Tuesday until May 11, the winners of the various prizes for each grand prize will be announced.