Jay Woodcroft has been named a finalist for the final NHL coaching position

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Sam Jones
July 11, 2024 (6:00 PM)

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Former Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft is now a leading candidate for the Columbus Blue Jackets' head coaching position, according to a recent tweet from Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal.

The announcement marks another significant decision by Columbus's newly appointed general manager, Don Waddell, who has been active since his departure from the Carolina Hurricanes.

Waddell's move to potentially bring in Woodcroft follows his decision to move away from former Oilers coach Todd McClellan due to ongoing contract negotiations and term issues with the Los Angeles Kings, as reported by Kevin Weekes:

This change comes at a crucial time for the Blue Jackets, who are looking to rebuild and strengthen their team dynamics.

Jay Woodcroft's coaching career has been both extensive and impactful. Before his stint with the Oilers, he served as an assistant coach for the Oilers and San Jose Sharks and held the head coach position at the Bakersfield Condors for five seasons. His tenure with the Oilers, however, ended abruptly near the end of November this season, when the team was ranked 31st out of 32, as noted by the user UnionBlue1789 on Twitter:

Despite the challenging season, Woodcroft's experience and past successes, which include leading the Oilers to the second round and the conference finals, highlight his capabilities as a coach in the NHL.

At 47, Woodcroft possesses a wealth of experience and a forward-thinking approach that could be pivotal for a team like Columbus, eager to redefine its identity. If chosen by Waddell, he will inherit a roster featuring promising talents such as Johnny Gaudreau, Adam Fantilli, Boone Jenner, and Ivan Provorov. This new core is expected to be at the heart of the Blue Jackets' transformation in the coming years.

As the hockey community anticipates Waddell's final decision, which is expected soon, all eyes will be on Columbus to see if Woodcroft will be the one to steer the team into its next chapter.