Waddell looking to bring change to Jackets: 'Losing was acceptable'

New Blue Jackets president and general manager Don Waddell hopes his first year at the helm will usher in a new outlook in Columbus.

"The one thing is, I'm not saying it was everybody, but losing was acceptable (here) and losing is not acceptable," he said, according to NHL.com's Dave McCarthy. "We have a ways to go building this, but our goal every year should be to win the Stanley Cup, not just to win some games. It's a mindset."

The Blue Jackets haven't made the playoffs since 2020. Their .421 points percentage over the past four seasons ranks 29th in the NHL, and they've finished last in their division in back-to-back campaigns.

Columbus finished 2023-24 with a 27-43-12 record and was a distant 25 points from the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Waddell conceded that Columbus had to contend with plenty of injuries, including to captain Boone Jenner, Patrik Laine, Damon Severson, Zach Werenski, and Adam Fantilli, but he didn't view them as an excuse for poor play.

"(They) fell out of the race pretty quick (and) they just kind of played out the season," he said. "And we have to change that."

Columbus has made some major changes over the past handful of months, firing longtime general manager Jarmo Kekalainen in February and replacing him with Waddell in May.

Waddell then dismissed head coach Pascal Vincent from his post in June and hired Dean Evason one month later. The executive is certain the Jackets' new bench boss will help right the ship.

"It's all about starting with accountability, a structure in place, and culture will get there," Waddell explained. "Back in Carolina, when I took over and I hired Rod Brind'Amour, Rod was great about executing a plan. And I believe Dean Evason has the same mold.

"It has to be about hockey. ... So the No. 1 priority is to prepare ourselves every night. It doesn't mean you are going to win every night, but prepare yourself so you have a chance to win."

The Jackets weren't very active on the free-agent market, only adding forward Sean Monahan and defenseman Jack Johnson.

However, Waddell honored Laine's trade request on Monday, shipping the winger and a 2026 second-round pick to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for defenseman Jordan Harris.