Blue Jackets promote Nash to director of player development

The Columbus Blue Jackets are rewarding their all-time leading scorer, promoting Rick Nash to director of player development Wednesday.

Nash spent the last two seasons as a special assistant to Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen after retiring as a player following his 15-year career.

The former star forward, who turned 37 on Wednesday, will now supervise the team's development staff, monitor the progress of the club's prospects, and offer feedback to upper management about which players should advance within the organization.

Columbus also hired former Blue Jackets forwards Mark Letestu and Derek Dorsett as development coaches, among other moves Wednesday.

Last month, the team brought back John Davidson as president of hockey operations and extended Kekalainen through 2024-25.

Nash ranks first in Blue Jackets history in goals, assists, points, and games played. The 2002 first overall pick racked up 547 points in 674 contests for Columbus and 805 points in 1,060 career games.