NHL Coaches: Potential Jobs at Risk

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Feb 6, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets coach

Todd Richards

(right) and center

Derek MacKenzie

(24) react in the second period against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Todd Richards, Columbus Blue Jackets, Hired Jan 2012
information on Richard’s coaching career can be found here

11-12: (18-21-2 after taking over)
12-13: 24 wins 55 pts (48gms)
13-14: 43 wins 93 pts Lost 1st round
14-15: 42 wins 89 pts

To be fair to Todd Richards, he never really inherited the best player personnel to begin with. But Columbus management has worked hard to put some very talented pieces in place to help this team succeed. Richards finally led the Blue Jackets to the playoffs in 2013-2014 only to be eliminated in the first round.

They’ve gotten top tier goaltending from Sergei Bobrovsky. The blue-line has been a work in progress but the youth is expected to take a big step forward this year. Guys like Ryan Murray, David Savard, and Dalton Prout will need to take their games to the next level. Jack Johnson and Fedor Tyutin are underrated quality d-men.

Up front, Ryan Johansen keeps getting better and they hope he develops good chemistry with new acquisition Brandon Saad. The Columbus Blue Jackets have a ton of good young players up front: Oliver Bjorkstrand, Sonny Milano, Kerby Rychel, Alex Wennberg, Boone Jenner, William Karlsson are just some of the guys who could make impacts soon.

The general hockey world may not have high expectations for the Blue Jackets, but I guarantee that Columbus management feels like they have a team that could compete and go deep into the playoffs.

Maybe they haven’t been one of better teams in hockey, but they’re definitely a lot better than the underwhelming records they’ve achieved under Todd Richards. A slow start for the Columbus Blue Jackets could put this bench boss on the hot seat early in the season.

Next: Could someone be singing the Blues?

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