The Columbus Blue Jackets Future Starts Now: New Head Coach, Signings and More (7/1/23)

It's a bold title, but looking ahead after the recent week for the Columbus Blue Jackets, I stand by it. The future for this franchise does start now. Personally, I liked Brad Larson as a head coach. He defied expectations, but last season with the injuries and constant landslide losses brought his time in Columbus to an end. I hope he finds success elsewhere, I really do. With that said, it's now time to look forward to the next chapter, the ninth for this franchise, and welcome Head Coach Mike Babcock to our great city! 

From his two Gold Olympic Medals with Team Canada to his 2008 Stanley Cup win, there are too many merits on Mike Babcok's resume to count. However, no one is perfect, and Coach Babcock has spent the last several years improving his coaching. His last job in the NHL ended with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019 due to him being too hard on his players. Some claimed he was mentally abusive. That said, it takes a man willing to change to admit he's done wrong, and he did that today in his media availability upon being announced as the Columbus Blue Jackets' ninth Head Coach. I will judge him by what he does here in Columbus, and I invite our fan base to do the same. Coach Babcock seems ready for the challenge to make this team better than the best, and also happy to be here doing so. His first contract with us is for the next 2 years and he'll make 4 Million for each.  

Now, the franchise announcing Mike Babcock as Head Coach wasn't the only big news story of the day for our CBJ. We also got to see our Round 1, Pick 3 come to Columbus and sign his first NHL Contract. His Entry Level Contract will bring him into the NHL, leaving his University of Michigan teammates. That said, I'm sure he's happy that it's a short drive to visit! It's also fun to watch him join Nick Blankenburg and Kent Johnson, who both went to Michigan but didn't get to play together. Now, they will for Columbus. As someone who's been yelling and typing 'Adam Fantilli' for months, this is a great moment. It's not about being right, it's about knowing that a huge piece this team needs has finally arrived. No dollar amount has been mentioned yet, but I'm sure he'll be worth the draft pick and every penny. 

It was also a big day for former Blue Jackets. First, Joonas Korpisalo has left the L.A. Kings and gone to Canada! He has inked a deal that will give him a cool $20 Million over a 5-year contract with the Senators of Ottowa. A huge congratulations and good luck to him. 

Also, Matt Duchene will make a very nice $3 Million over the next 2023-24 NHL Season while playing for the Dallas Stars. He leaves the Nashville Predators to do so. 

You may notice I waited until very late to write this post. I did this on purpose because I wanted to be sure that all the news of the day, regarding present and past Blue Jackets, was done. This week has been busy, but also very productive in my mind. We have what could possibly be the best playing in the 20243 NHL Draft now locked in. A new Head Coach is set. In addition to that incredible First-Round Pick, we also have seven others who are full of potential. We'll also see familiar faces return, too. Recently, Carson Meyer, Josh Dunne, Trey Fix-Wolansky, and Marcus Bjork. I feel good, 5th Line, real good, and the fact Prospect Camp 2023 gets underway tomorrow is just frosting! 

GO CBJ!