The Blue Jackets organization is still relatively young. Barely two years older than me, who was born in 2002, Columbus has been a Bettman Circuit club since 2000.
Its young history hasn’t been marked by many good players, but Rick Nash was probably the best in the concession’s history. He was drafted first overall in the 2002 draft. He played nine years (674 games) in Ohio.
A stint marked by outstanding leadership, 289 goals and 547 points. To this day, he still leads the franchise in points. Cam Atkinson and Nick Foligno are a long way behind the forward, with 402 and 364 points respectively.
So, like Daniel Brière (Flyers) and Alex Steen (Blues), the way is paved for him to become general manager of the franchise with which he has enjoyed the most success.
Does he want to be GM? That’s the question, because as Elliotte Friedman said on The Jeff Marek Show, “we believe that one day, he will be the boss of the Jackets.
Elliotte Friedman on TJMS: “We believe that- should Rick Nash want to do it- someday he will be the GM of the Blue Jackets. Again, if he wants it. “#CBJ
– The CBJ Center (@CBJcenter) June 13, 2024
Is Waddell’s hiring a transition to a Nash-led club? Will he use the former GM as a mentor, a bit like Barry Trotz with David Poile and Alex Steen with Doug Armstrong?
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We don’t know the official answer, as it hasn’t been publicly disclosed, but Jeff Marek seems to believe that yes, Nash will be the successor one day.
Jeff Marek says that the St. Louis succession plan that was announced today feels similar to what Columbus is doing with Don Waddell/Rick Nash even though it wasn’t announced that way.
– The CBJ Center (@CBJcenter) June 13, 2024
Waddell discussed this very option a few days earlier on Frank Seravalli’s Frankly Speaking podcast.
He’s not at all stressed about Nash’s aspirations; on the contrary, he’s happy that a guy who decided to move to Columbus after his field hockey career wants to climb the organization’s ladder and help it win its first NHL Stanley Cup.
Don Waddell on Rick Nash joining the front office in Columbus.
Frankly Speaking Podcast – @Frank_Seravalli
🎥Full interview – https://t.co/Z4GGcsK3nQ
Presented by:@betwaycanada#BetTheResponsibleWay #BetwayCanada
ON Only/ Must be 19+ to play. pic.twitter.com/HObnxkzHr6– Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) June 11, 2024
Overtime
– Are you ready?
IT’S ALMOST TIME FOR GAME 4‼️
Is tonight the night the #StanleyCup gets a new home? 🤔
📺: @FlaPanthers vs. @EdmontonOilers Game 4 TONIGHT at 8p ET on ABC, @ESPNPlus, @Sportsnet, Sportsnet+, and @TVASports pic.twitter.com/RItvnr3uPg
– NHL (@NHL) June 15, 2024
– I can’t wait to see this.
I can confirm other players will be involved.#CBJ Kirill Marchenko, #GoKingsGo Vladislav Gavrikov (NHL)#GoHabsGo prospect Bogdan Konyushkov (KHL)
and more I’m sure will be announced. https://t.co/5NutAxQevK
– Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) June 14, 2024
– Real comedians.
If you’re not a dad keep scrolling#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/4tpeJQGMtu
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) June 15, 2024
– Where will this one come out?
At 6’1, is Aatos Koivu more Saku’s son or Mikko’s nephew? Whatever the case, he presents himself as a responsible center, just like his father and uncle were. Short meeting with him in Buffalohttps://t.co/ObHb4Mj3KA
– Guillaume Lefrançois 🟦🇨🇿 (@glefrancoisLP) June 15, 2024
– There’s no shortage of activity in the nation’s capital.
Senators GM active on the phone📞https://t.co/UeXpyxHkPs
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) June 15, 2024
– He’s not forgetting them.
Luguentz Dort’s North Montreal roots https://t.co/rcDhKoZdBA
– Radio-Canada Sports (@RC_Sports) June 15, 2024