NHL Rumors: Source reveals major reason for Columbus Blue Jackets throwing Todd McLellan out of new head coach race

Todd McLellan is no longer in contention for the Columbus Blue Jackets head coach position. According to NHL insider Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, negotiations between McLellan and the Blue Jackets hit a snag last week. This led to McLellan being removed from consideration. The Blue Jackets remain the only team in the NHL without a head coach, which adds urgency to their search.

Brian Hedger, a source on the McLellan situation, explained that the difference in perspective regarding "getting back to the playoffs" between both parties led to the breakdown in talks.

"Source I spoke with also had a very interesting comment on the McLellan situation ... essentially saying that Todd has a keen sense of just how far off the #CBJ really are from getting back to the playoffs & competing and the Jackets don't necessarily agree," Hedger wrote on X.

Earlier, Portzline had shared on X that an agreement on a multi-year contract could not be reached. This impasse involved the Columbus Blue Jackets, McLellan, and his former club, the Los Angeles Kings.

"Told Todd McLellan is out of the running to be the next #CBJ coach. Between #CBJ, McLellan, and his former club, #GoKingsGo, an agreement on a multi-year contract could not be reached. Possible #CBJ circle back with an adjusted offer," Portzline reported.

Following his mid-season dismissal from the Los Angeles Kings during the 2023–24 season, McLellan's future remains uncertain. Despite this setback with the Columbus Blue Jackets, McLellan is expected to remain a sought-after candidate.

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Columbus Blue Jackets interview Dean Evason and Jay Woodcroft for head coach position

The Columbus Blue Jackets are progressing in their search for a new head coach, with GM Don Waddell confirming two key candidates for in-person interviews this week. Aaron Portzline of The Athletic identifies these candidates as Dean Evason and Jay Woodcroft.

According to Waddell, a third candidate remains on hold.

“We’re only bringing in two,” Waddell said (via The Athletic). “I have a third [candidate] who’s kind of on hold right now, but we have the top two guys that we’d like to bring in in-person."

Waddell shared the urgency of finalizing a decision before August to ensure readiness for the training camp starting in mid-September.

“This week is an important week for us coming up here. Training camp is essentially the third week in September. Do I want this to go into August? Not a chance. Now, whether we announce something [this] week or if it’s done early the following week … we’ll see how the schedules line up,” Waddell added.

Dean Evason previously led the Minnesota Wild but was dismissed after the Wild's poor start this past season, with a 5-10-4 record over 19 games. Jay Woodcroft was the head coach of the Edmonton Oilers at the beginning of the 2023–24 season but was let go after a 3-9-1 start.