The Columbus Dispatch’s Brian Hedger offers an interesting piece of information this morning:
Going into the NHL draft last summer, Todd McLellan was the Blue Jackets’ top choice to replace Pascal Vincent as head coach.
The Dispatch learned that talks fell apart due to a disagreement on contractual terms, which led to Blue Jackets president of hockey operations/general manager Don Waddell going with Dean Evason instead. Evason has since gotten off to a great start in Columbus, while McLellan was recently hired by the Red Wings – with whom he won the Stanley Cup in 2008 as an assistant coach.
McLellan did his homework on the Blue Jackets’ roster and organizational system while discussing their coaching vacancy and has studied it even closer since joining the Red Wings. He’s impressed with the progress they’ve shown under Evason and senses that even brighter days are ahead in Columbus.
“I think Dean has his fingerprints all over this team,” McLellan said. “Anytime a coach comes in, and he can flip the identity and get the players believing in what he’s selling, it becomes contagious. I can see that throughout their lineup. … In my mind, they’ve definitely turned the corner and they’re going to give not only the Red Wings but every other team in the league a handful.”
