Don Waddell gets highest honour with Blue Jackets giving him multiple roles
Columbus Blue Jackets fill multiple vacancies with one hiring, trusting a proven GM.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced officially now that they've hired Don Waddell and it's crazy to see just what his title is. Waddell has been hired by the Blue Jackets as General Manager, President of Hockey Operations and Alternate Governor.
These roles are going to be a huge undertaking for Waddell, as he is going to have a lot of discretion to work with the team. Waddell has already been instrumental to a rebuild before, helping the Hurricanes get to the point that they're at today. If that rebuild is any indicator of future performance, it could be great news for Blue Jackets fans.
It's obvious why Waddell would leave a successful Hurricanes team for a position like this, as holding three titles in the organization is a position that any General Manager dreams to be in. Especially when it is a rebuilding team, General Managers will always want the security of a job in a rebuilding franchise. If the team has no expectations it's a great position to be in, because you can get very experimental in what you plan to do with the team.
His first order of business is going to be moving out contracts that don't fit the timeline of the Jackets as contenders. They're in a great position with tons of young guys and 23M in cap space with no expensive players to re-sign. The Jackets will look to move Laine, Merzlikins and possibly also Jenner. The Jackets already have an amazing prospect pool, so they may look to take on a lot of free agents in the next couple of years and build their team up through free agency.
Waddell really has all the decisions to make, as in these positions he makes every choice to impact the future of the franchise. He has the keys to the whole organization and all eyes will be on him as fans look to a rising Columbus team in a couple short years.
| POLL | ||
Would you rather be General Manager of the Hurricanes or Blue Jackets? | ||
| Hurricanes to control a contender | 71 | 71 % |
| Blue Jackets to start a rebuild | 29 | 29 % |
| List of polls | ||
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