• Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
  • Consider registering! Fewer and higher quality ads, no emails you don't want, access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Even if you just want to lurk, there are a lot of good reasons to register!

Columbus Blue Jackets (Official Thread)

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Sort by date Sort by votes
http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=204753&hubname=nhl

doug mclean has been fired.

edit tsn article updated
Doug MacLean has been fired as general manager and president of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Sources tell TSN MacLean was told tonight in an ownership meeting.
The Blue Jackets struggled to a 33-42-7 record this season, finishing a distant 11th in the Western Conference. The results were disappointing after Columbus made strides last season, going 23-16-2 over the second half.
The Blue Jackets were 172-258-62 all-time under MacLean, and are the only NHL franchise to have never reached the post-season.
MacLean was named general manager of the Blue Jackets on February 11, 1998 and was named president a month later. He also coached the team from January 7, 2003 through January 1, 2004. He is the only president and general manager in the history of the franchise.
Prior to joining the Blue Jackets, he served as the head coach in Florida, where he led his teams into the playoffs in both seasons behind the bench (1995-'96, 1996-'97). In his first season, MacLean led the Panthers to the Stanley Cup final, where they lost to the Colorado Avalanche.
Despite the loss, MacLean was named the NHL's top coach by The Hockey News and was a finalist for the Jack Adams award.
MacLean began his NHL career as an assistant coach with the St. Louis Blues in 1985. He joined the Washington Capitals as an assistant coach prior to the 1988-'89 season. He remained with the Capitals before becoming the head coach of the franchise's AHL affiliate in Baltimore midway through the 1989-'90 season. He spent 35 games behind the bench and guided the Skipjacks to a 17-13-5 mark.
He then went to the Detroit Red Wings as an assistant coach in 1990 and spent two years behind the bench before becoming the club's assistant general manager as well as the GM of the Wings' AHL affiliate, the Adirondack Red Wings.
He left Detroit to join Florida as director of player development and pro scout in 1994 and was named the second head coach in Panthers history July 24, 1995.
Click to expand...

ill just keep tagging onto this one tonight

jackets prospect report from the chl playoffs
http://bluejackets.com/news/features/arts/3722.0.html
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
more on doug
http://dispatch.com/dispatch/content/sports/stories/2007/04/18/maclean_news.html
Blue Jackets fire MacLean (1:08 a.m.)

Thursday, April 19, 2007 1:08 AM
By Aaron Portzline


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
maclean-200.jpg
DISPATCH FILE PHOTO
During his time with the Blue Jackets, Doug MacLean also served as head coach.

Doug MacLean was fired as president and general manager of the Blue Jackets last night after a meeting of the club's ownership group, multiple club sources told The Dispatch. A decision was made after a lengthy meeting at Double Eagle Golf Club, the ultra-exclusive club owned by Blue Jackets' majority owner John H. McConnell.
It comes less than two weeks after the Blue Jackets ended their sixth NHL season without a playoff appearance.
continued...
Click to expand...

http://dispatch.com/dispatch/content/sports/stories/2007/04/18/cbjanalysis.html

Analysis: For lack of focused plan, MacLean gets the boot

Thursday, April 19, 2007 12:14 AM
By Michael Arace


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

To this point, Blue Jackets management has had little feel for developing young players, and little success in choosing the right free agents. It has been their double-whammy. The attempt to accelerate growth has retarded their prospects for success during Doug MacLean's tenure as president and general manager. Look at the alternatives:
The Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild, recent expansion teams also located in the Western Conference, decided to build through the draft and take their lumps. They key is, taking their lumps. They maintained a straight course, kept their coaching staffs intact and stayed on message with their fans. The message was, "Hang in there, we will develop our players."
continued...
Click to expand...


dougs cbj photo gallery
http://dispatch.com/dispatch/content/sports/stories/2007/04/18/macleangallery.html
 
Upvote 0
Don't let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya, Dougie. I have no problem with this. Nice to know that the owners are seeing/hearing the same thngs everyone else is seeing/hearing.
 
Upvote 0
I don't know about this. I never really found MacLean to be at fault for this mess. I think he should have been given a year to work with Hitch.

The GM is supposed to bring in the talent. By all accounts MacLean brought in the talent. That's all we heard all summer long was how talented this team is. Is he responsible for their pitiful on ice performance as well?? I know you can't fire the players. I also look at ownership. What are the Jackets...$11 million under the cap? Spend to the cap and see what you can bring in like other owners do.

I hold him responsible for the Zherdev mess. He should have known he was a head case before he signed him. Now the Jackets can't unload him.

EDIT
Just read Arace's column in the Dispatch. I guess my limited understanding of the game doesn't allow me to see the importance of developing young players. I work out of the college to NFL mindset and see how rookies can immediately impact the game. I guess this isn't the way it is in the NHL.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
I'm just tired of the same old shit year after year. Every year, he proclaims (insert 2nd-tier veteran name here) to be the missing piece, and every year, we end up in the shitter.

I know two people with independent connections to the organization that share the opinion that as long as Mac and his unpleasant attitude are around, the organization will never improve. He loves to point at the guy's he's brought in, but guess what Doug! With the exception of Nasher's second season, not a single player here has done anything of note.

IMO, a change had to be made before the fanbase was completely disgusted and alienated.
 
Upvote 0
ill give this to doug. he did a good job of selling hockey to columbus. he was the only gm with a weekly call in show, something i enjoyed getting some sort of insight as to what was going on (were not gonna get that again). i dont buy the whole francois beauchemin would be our best dman argument either. it may not have been the worlds greatest trade. though to this point im fine with it. francois beauchemin plays with pronger and niedermayer hell a third grader would look decent paired with one of those guys.

i am in no way suprised that it happened as i have mentioned a long time ago. this team finished strong this year. hitch wont have the gm spot even in an interim as im being told, he doesnt want full gm responsibilities.

should be interesting in who they hire...
 
Upvote 0
http://dispatch.com/dispatch/conten...dd_column_19.ART_ART_04-19-07_E6_016EB5M.html

Todd Jones commentary: MacLean's passion could win or alienate fans

Thursday, April 19, 2007 6:43 AM
By todd jones



todd_column_19.IMG_04-19-07_E6_016EB5Q.jpg

A memory of Doug MacLean certain to linger is his appearance after a tepid period of play by the Blue Jackets in yet another one of their 258 defeats. MacLean would be in the hallway, outside his box on the press level in the Nationwide Arena rafters, and he'd be pacing like a caged leopard, steam rising from his ears.
In those moments, he was the volatile and impulsive MacLean, the bratty teenager with daddy's Porsche, the guy known for berating front-office folks or team underlings.



continued
Click to expand...


http://dispatch.com/dispatch/conten...aclean_moves.ART_ART_04-19-07_E6_016EB26.html

Trades


THUMBS UP

June 30, 2006: Acquired LW Fredrik Modin and G Fredrik Norrena from Tampa Bay for G Marc Denis
March 19, 2002: Acquired D Jaroslav Spacek and a second-round draft pick in 2003 (C/RW Dan Fritsche) for D Lyle Odelein
March 13, 2001: Acquired RW Ray Whitney from Florida for C Kevyn Adams and a fourth-round draft pick in 2001 (RW Michael Woodford)
May 25, 2000: Acquired C Espen Knutsen from Anaheim for a fourth-round draft pick in 2001 (D Vladimir Korsunov)
THUMBS DOWN

Nov. 15, 2005: Traded D Francois Beauchemin and RW Tyler Wright to Anaheim for C Sergei Fedorov and a fifth-round draft pick in 2006. (Blue Jackets' C Todd Marchant originally was part of the trade but refused to waive his no-trade and was placed on waivers, later to be claimed by the Ducks).
Aug. 29, 2001: Acquired RW Grant Marshall from Dallas for a second-round draft pick in 2003 (LW Loui Eriksson)
ANALYSIS

• MacLean made some sweet trades. Getting Norrena (a darn good goaltender) and Modin (a proven second-line winger) for Denis looks like pure genius, especially since Denis flamed out in Tampa Bay. The Whitney and Spacek trades would look a lot better if those players hadn't been allowed to walk via free agency. As for the Fedorov trade, it looks pretty bad now, and it's only going to look worse next season when Fedorov, 37, makes another $6.08 million. The Ducks couldn't believe they found somebody to take Fedorov. Meanwhile, Beauchemin has blossomed into a top defensemen in Anaheim.

Free agents

THUMBS UP

June 8, 2000: Signed RW David Vyborny
July 4, 2000: Signed G Ron Tugnutt
May 10, 2001: Signed D Duvie Westcott
THUMBS DOWN

July 4, 2002: Signed D Scott Lachance
Aug. 3, 2004: Signed D Bryan Berard
July 3, 2003: Signed C Todd Marchant
Aug. 10, 2004: Signed C Jan Hrdina
July 4, 2002: Signed D Luke Richardson
ANALYSIS

• MacLean's early work here was his best, especially Vyborny, who is the only full-timer left from the first season. After that, the moves cost the club millions and made them only marginally better, if at all. Lachance and Richardson were huge disappointments, with a combined two goals and minus-88 rating in 328 games. Marchant was a major mistake, brought to town as a top two center after a career year in Edmonton. Many in the NHL chuckled, and other GMs were peeved because it drove up the market.

Waiver claims

THUMBS UP

Sept. 14, 2004: D Francois Beauchemin from Montreal
Nov. 29, 2005: D Ron Hainsey from Montreal
Nov. 21, 2003: C Manny Malhotra from Dallas
ANALYSIS

• Beauchemin would be the Blue Jackets' best defenseman, but he was shipped to Anaheim in the Fedorov trade. Hainsey looks to be a good
No. 5 or 6 defenseman. Malhotra is a fourth-line center playing on the third line.

Free agents lost

THUMBS DOWN

RW Ray Whitney, signed by Detroit before the 2003-04 season
D Jaroslav Spacek, signed by Chicago before the 2005-06 season
ANALYSIS

• Whitney, the Blue Jackets' captain, walked when MacLean refused to give him a fourth year in a contract. This would have been the fourth year, and Whitney's 83 points for Carolina would have led the Jackets. Spacek isn't Scott Niedermayer, and he's with his third club (Buffalo) in two seasons. But he'd be Columbus' best puck-mover.
Click to expand...

http://dispatch.com/dispatch/conten...an_franchise.ART_ART_04-19-07_E1_DS6EB6N.html

Blue Jackets fire Doug MacLean
Where to go from here?
Positions of president and general manager likely to be split as team charts a new course
Thursday, April 19, 2007 6:41 AM
By Michael Arace


The Columbus Dispatch
0419_doug_mac_sp_04-19-07_E1_A56EBBE.jpg
Neal C. LauronDispatch
Doug MacLean served as president, general manager and, in 2003, as coach of the Blue Jackets.


The ouster of Blue Jackets president and general manager Doug MacLean offers a two-pronged opportunity because, in all likelihood, the two titles will be separated. Michael A. Priest is in line to be president of the Blue Jackets.
Priest is president of JMAC Inc., the family holding company of John H. McConnell, majority owner of the Blue Jackets. JMAC oversees six operations, including the Blue Jackets and the Columbus Destroyers. Priest also serves as an alternate governor for the Blue Jackets and played a major role in interviewing -- and probably recommending -- Ken Hitchcock during the team's search for a coach in November.
continued...
Click to expand...
same article possible canidates
As for the team's next general manager, there are a host of candidates.
• Jim Nill, assistant general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, is a highly sought talent. Rumor was that the Jackets felt him out more than a year ago, before the Wings gave him a new four-year contract. Nill is seen in Detroit as the eventual heir to the Wings' hockey operations. It will be difficult, if not impossible, to recruit him.
• Dave Taylor, former general manager of the Los Angeles Kings, has a well-respected name in the business. He played 17 seasons for the Kings before he joined the team's front office in 1997. The Hockey News tabbed him as its executive of the year in 2000-01. He was replaced as general manager last year. He currently serves as the Kings' director of amateur development.
• Steve Tambellini, assistant general manager of the Vancouver Canucks, might be a hot commodity given the Canucks' remarkable regular season. Tambellini has experience in every corner of the front office.
• Craig Patrick, former general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins, has indicated to sources that he is interested in the Blue Jackets' job. The Penguins last year opted not to renew Patrick's contract, and thus ended an era. Patrick drafted Jaromir Jagr and Sidney Crosby, traded for Ron Francis and Joe Mullen and hired Bob Johnson and Scotty Bowman during a career that included two Stanley Cups in Pittsburgh. In the end, he ran out of magic, and the Pens finished in last place four straight seasons.
• Craig Button, former general manager of the Calgary Flames, largely assembled the Flames team that made it to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2004. Button is a scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
• Rick Dudley, former general manager of the Ottawa Senators and Tampa Bay Lightning, is lauded for his sharp mind and his experience as a player as well as a coach. Dudley is an assistant general manager for the Chicago Blackhawks. He is said to have a free hand to explore outside opportunities.
• Don Maloney, assistant general manager of the New York Rangers, has his fingers in all facets of their hockey operations. As a player, he had the reputation for grit and hard work. As a scout and executive, he has worked for the New York Islanders and San Jose Sharks as well as the Rangers.
• Bob Murray, former general manager of the Blackhawks, is among the more experienced of candidates. He spent 28 years with the Blackhawks and, more recently, has scouted for the Canucks and Anaheim Ducks. He is vice president of hockey operations for the Ducks and right-hand man of general manager Brian Burke.
Other potential candidates include Pat Quinn, who has a long resume as a coach and general manager and a relationship with Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock. Quinn, with Hitchcock on his staff, coached the past two Team Canada entries in the Winter Olympics. Also, Neil Smith, former general manager of the Rangers, has his name pop up whenever there is an opening. In the category of up-and-comers, Kings assistant general manager Ron Hextall is often described as a future star.
One last consideration: The scuttlebutt is that Hitchcock's former boss in Dallas, Doug Armstrong, might be on the hot seat depending on what the Stars do in the playoffs. Along these lines, there might be a housecleaning in Ottawa, depending on how far the Senators advance.
If shake-ups occur elsewhere, other teams will be searching for a new general manager, along with the Blue Jackets and the Phoenix Coyotes, who fired general manager Mike Barnett last week.
Click to expand...

http://dispatch.com/dispatch/conten...clean_hunter.ART_ART_04-19-07_E1_DS6EB9B.html

Commentary
In the end, MacLean left the owners no choice

Thursday, April 19, 2007 6:41 AM
By bob hunter



maclean_hunter.IMG_04-19-07_E1_DS6EB9N.jpg

The other day, I had just finished jogging when a neighbor pulled up beside me in his car and rolled down the window. "Great column on MacLean," he said. He threw me a big smile, offered a quick thumbs up and then happily drove away.
The point isn't that the column in question was particularly well-done -- I have long since learned that "great column" is readers' terminology for any column they wholeheartedly agree with -- but that it was the second time in three days that a neighbor had cast a vote against Doug MacLean from the front seat of his car. It echoed a similar sentiment from an acquaintance in the grocery store, one from a man in the post office and another from a friend in the baseball press box in Cincinnati.
continued...
Click to expand...

http://dispatch.com/dispatch/conten...maclean_news.ART_ART_04-19-07_A1_GU6E747.html

Change at the top
Jackets dismiss architect MacLean

Thursday, April 19, 2007 3:39 AM
By Aaron Portzline


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
0418_maclean_sp_04-19-07_A1_BD6DS4C.jpg
MacLean


Doug MacLean was fired as president and general manager of the Blue Jackets last night after a meeting of the club's ownership group, a high-ranking team source said. A decision was made late last night after a lengthy meeting at Double Eagle Golf Club, the exclusive club owned by majority owner John H. McConnell.
It comes less than two weeks after the Blue Jackets ended their sixth NHL season without a playoff appearance
Click to expand...
http://www.thehockeynews.com/en/news/DetailNewsCP.asp?xml=h041915A
Columbus Blue Jackets fire president and general manager Doug MacLean



(CP) - The Columbus Blue Jackets have fired president and general manager Doug MacLean, a source told the Canadian Press on Wednesday.

The 53-year-old was relieved of his duties after the Blue Jackets stumbled to a 33-42-7 record this season, good for 11th in the Western Conference. MacLean, the only president and general manager in franchise history, enjoyed little success during his tenure. The Blue Jackets were 172-258-62 all-time under MacLean, and are the only NHL franchise to have never reached the post-season.

The Blue Jackets appeared ready to post their first winning season after setting franchise records for wins (35) and points (74) in a season in 2005-'06. Columbus posted a 23-16-2 record over the second half of that season, but the momentum failed to carry over into 2006-'07.
continued...
Click to expand...
 
Upvote 0
The day they announced that Doug would no longer we doing the Doug MacLean show on 1460 was the day I thought this must be the beginning of the end. I personally would have been okay with either decision, although I was leaning toward him getting one more year to get this team at least pointed in the right direction. Unfortunately I never felt like his GM skills matched his PR skills.
 
Upvote 0
When you're the only team in the NHL that has never made the playoffs and you've had the same GM for your entire existence, something has to give.

And it had to be Dougie Mac.

Let this be the turning point for the franchise.
 
Upvote 0
Honestly sometimes I wonder if his Florida team that made it too the Stanley Cup finals has boosted Mac's career beyond where it would've progressed.

As you can see up above, some of the moves worked out great and others didn't. That always happens, but for some reason MacLean's misses outweighed the few hits he had....
 
Upvote 0
wadc45;816032; said:
The day they announced that Doug would no longer we doing the Doug MacLean show on 1460 was the day I thought this must be the beginning of the end. I personally would have been okay with either decision, although I was leaning toward him getting one more year to get this team at least pointed in the right direction. Unfortunately I never felt like his GM skills matched his PR skills.
Click to expand...

very vailid point. nashville has a winner on the ice (even though theyve never won a playoff series) and thier franchise is in real trouble. no one in nash has taken to the preds. sure theyve got some predwing fans but they dont have a solid following. something needs to be said for 16k avg to show up and watch a loser...

also of note atlanta and thier playoff success

i think the role in taking from columbus from a one rink town (osu) to a 9 ( think its 10 sheets) is something that jmac portofolio and doug should really be credited for. columbus is the only city in the us that you can play hockey at every level.

i also believe one of the issues of this team was being bad and never sucking. this team was consistently picking six or eight. had they sucked more the impact players would have been there. not that klesla, brass, brule arent good players. they arent the top 3 guys...

the lockout and the penguins. the way the post lockout lottery in my view has handled to reseructe pitts team. the nhl rigged that to slavage the franchise. imo.

i think it is important to look at the plus and minus sides of what a guy has brought to the team. in the same way i am one of the few greatful ones for coop. he brought the football team out of the stoneage with team speed, he recruited ohio better than those before him (though he alienated a large portion of coaches he began to lock down places) and he set a lot of the foundation for tressels success im. doug has assemebled a young core no doubt. one of the most talented young cores in the league. the failure has been with 28 to 32 year old players to augment that group. he has assemebled a small group of proven veterans who are winners but never in my veiw capable of shouldering the load as they had been a few years before.

it sahll be interesting who the next choice is...
 
Upvote 0
BuckeyeMike80 said:
Honestly sometimes I wonder if his Florida team that made it too the Stanley Cup finals has boosted Mac's career beyond where it would've progressed.

As you can see up above, some of the moves worked out great and others didn't. That always happens, but for some reason MacLean's misses outweighed the few hits he had....
Click to expand...
good points. honestly i dont think he made any super awful moves. he made a lot of netural (on a scale of one to 10 he made a lot of 4,5,6s) only one better than that in trading up for nash.

a lot of people point to the trade with the ducks. we picked up about a million dollars of salary. although we traded a fan favorite it was a nice way as his career was past as seen out there. you have marchant slide out there another guy who was in reality playing a line or two above his spot. then you have francois issue. at the time he was unmotivated, trouble making kid. as i said before take him away from those two big names out there and how good is he? prob about as good as he was in columbus. playing with the best of the best makes average good...
 
Upvote 0
http://dispatch.com/dispatch/content/sports/stories/2007/04/19/0419maclean.html

Blue Jackets
Source: 'Time for a change' (12:16 p.m.)
Decision to fire MacLean 'was unanimous'
Thursday, April 19, 2007 12:16 PM
By Aaron Portzline


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
newmaclean-200.jpg
CHRIS RUSSELL | DISPATCH
The Blue Jackets will pay Doug MacLean a buyout sum, believed to be $800,000.

Doug MacLean was fired as president and general manager of the Blue Jackets late last night after a meeting of the club's ownership group because "it was time for a change," said a source familiar with the meeting. A decision was reached after a lengthy meeting at Double Eagle Golf Club, the exclusive club in southern Delaware County owned by McConnell.
MacLean signed a contract extension last spring. By firing him now, the club must pay a buyout sum, believed to be $800,000, or the base salary in the remaining year of his contract.



continued...
Click to expand...
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top