Columbus Blue Jackets

Mitch Love could be a hot head coaching commodity in 2024

The Washington Capitals hired Mitch Love as the first member of new head coach Spencer Carbery’s staff in late June. Love, the reigning two-time AHL coach of the year, departed the Calgary Flames organization and has made his way east to DC.

But, his stay in the nation’s capital could be a short one. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman is already bringing up Love’s name for potential head coaching vacancies come 2024.

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By Chris Cerullo 1 week ago

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You don’t go through somebody’s phone, you just don’t

Mike Babcock resigned from the Columbus Blue Jackets without having coached a single game. And all because he looked through somebody’s phone.

There are people, presumably boomers, who think it was an overreaction to essentially fire a head coach just for looking through somebody’s phone. “These boys today,” they say, probably. “They’re too soft, too woke. And they all have that perm front-puff hairstyle. What’s the big deal with going through someone’s phone?”

The big deal is you don’t go through someone’s phone. You just don’t do it.

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By Peter Hassett 1 week ago

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After phone controversy, Mike Babcock out as head coach of Columbus Blue Jackets before coaching a single game

Mike Babcock’s reign as Columbus Blue Jackets head coach is over after 78 days.

After pledging that he changed his ways during his introductory press conference with Blue Jackets media, Babcock has resigned after he asked players to share photos from their personal phones during one-on-one meetings.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was the first to report the news.

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By Ian Oland 1 week ago

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Mike Babcock’s job may be in question following new findings in Blue Jackets phone controversy

Mike Babcock’s tenure with the Columbus Blue Jackets might end before he coaches a single game. After reports emerged of Babcock asking to see photos on his players’ phones, the NHL and NHLPA both launched an investigation into the matter.

Per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh and assistant executive director Ron Hainsey took the next step in that investigation on Thursday with a trip to Columbus to speak to several Blue Jackets players. The PA is set to meet with league officials on Friday to discuss their findings, and Babcock’s job could be on the line.

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By Katie Adler 2 weeks ago

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NHL and NHLPA investigating Mike Babcock phone controversy as previous Leafs player openly criticizes former coach

Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Mike Babcock is back in a fire of his own making this week after a story dropped on Paul Bissonnette’s Spittin’ Chiclets podcast Monday regarding peculiar behavior with Blue Jackets players’ cell phones.

Now, both the NHL and NHLPA have begun investigating the controversy, with Bissonnette and Babcock each maintaining their sides of the story. One of Babcock’s former players chimed in, former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Frankie Corrado giving his take on the First Up radio show.

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By Chris Cerullo 2 weeks ago

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Mike Babcock reportedly asked Columbus players to come into his office and show him photos from their cell phones

Mike Babcock got his first NHL job this past offseason after a multi-year absence from the league caused by toxic, abusive off-ice behavior that led to his dismissal from the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019.

The Columbus Blue Jackets took the chance on Babcock perhaps learning from his prior mistakes and signed him to a two-year contract in July. If emerging reports from NHL on TNT analyst and former NHLer Paul Bissonnette are true, it’s questionable if Babcock has learned anything at all from his previous controversies.

Bissonnette said that one of the first things Babcock did in charge of Columbus was call team captain Boone Jenner into his office and ask to see the photos on his personal cell phone.

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By Chris Cerullo 2 weeks ago

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In first-round surprise, Adam Fantilli passed over by Anaheim Ducks for Leo Carlsson with second overall pick

The Anaheim Ducks made a surprise choice with their second overall pick. Selecting Swedish forward Leo Carlsson, the Ducks effectively flipped the expected draft order and allowed Adam Fantilli to drop to third. Fantilli ultimately went to the Columbus Blue Jackets, who were likely shocked that he was still on the board.

Both Carlsson and Fantilli excelled in their draft season. Carlsson topped NHL Central Scouting’s final ranking of international skaters and was named the Swedish junior player of the year, while Fantilli earned the Hobey Baker Award after a dominant season with the University of Michigan.

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By Katie Adler 3 months ago

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Columbus Blue Jackets will reportedly hire Mike Babcock as head coach

Mike Babcock will reportedly be the next head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Babcock’s last job in the NHL came with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he lasted four seasons before being replaced midseason during the 2019-20 campaign.

Babcock has also worked behind the bench for the Detroit Red Wings (2005-2015) and the Anaheim Ducks (2002-2004). His total NHL coaching tenure has spanned parts of 17 seasons.

TSN’s Darren Dreger first reported the Columbus news on Saturday morning. Babcock remains under contract with Toronto through the end of June, explaining the delay in announcement.

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By Katie Adler 4 months ago

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Report: Peter Laviolette has interviewed with Rangers for open head coaching job, is also considered finalist for Blue Jackets position

Former Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette sure looks like he could be sticking around the Metropolitan Division.

The Athletic’s Arthur Staple reported on Friday that Laviolette has interviewed with the New York Rangers for their open head coaching job and has done the same with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The 58 year old, veteran bench boss is considered a finalist for the Columbus job as they are further along in their search than New York.

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By Chris Cerullo 4 months ago

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Capitals give up seven goals to the worst team in their division: numbers for the morning after

The Washington Capitals hosted the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets for Gr802 Night at Capital One Arena on Tuesday. The night started off festive and full of smiles. It did not end that way.

Ouch.

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By Chris Cerullo 6 months ago

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