COLUMBUS, Ohio — After one season on the job, Columbus Blue Jackets president and general manager Don Waddell is ready to put his stamp on the franchise.
Waddell confirmed to The Athletic on Monday that several longtime employees were informed over the weekend that they would not return, most notably strength and conditioning coach Kevin Collins, who had been with the Blue Jackets since 2010.
Also let go were two employees who have been with the Blue Jackets since they arrived as an NHL expansion team in 2000: equipment manager Jamie Healy and video coach Dan Singleton. Naoto “Nates” Goto, who worked under Collins as an assistant athletic trainer since 2012-13, also was told he won’t return, Waddell said.
Meanwhile, Waddell told The Athletic that assistant coaches Niklas Backstrom (goaltending), Jared Boll and Steve McCarthy, all of whom spent the 2024-25 season in the final year of their contracts, have signed extensions. He would not specify the terms.
Happy 1,000th game to #CBJ strength and conditioning coach, Kevin Collins. 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/bxgKcChpqM
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) October 25, 2023
Collins’ departure is most notable. The Blue Jackets frequently have been among the NHL leaders in man-games lost due to injury, and previous administrations — GM Jarmo Kekalainen and his predecessor, Scott Howson — have done offseason deep-dives in attempts to find out the cause.
Mostly, it was dismissed as bad luck.
This season, the Blue Jackets lost 324 man-games, with veteran leaders Boone Jenner (shoulder, 56 games), Erik Gudbranson (shoulder, 66) and Sean Monahan (wrist, 28) all missing extended time, along with young winger Yegor Chinakhov (back, 44).
It marked the third straight season the Blue Jackets totaled more than 300 man-games lost. In 2022-23, the Jackets set a franchise record with 565 man-games lost to injury.
Let’s hear it for #CBJ Head Equipment Manager Jamie Healy who worked his 2,000th pro game on Saturday in Seattle! 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/PPxqCvHfNl
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) February 1, 2023
Healy was the Blue Jackets’ assistant equipment manager until 2022, when longtime equipment manager Tim Leroy was fired and Healy was promoted. In addition to his NHL work, Healy has worked four IIHF World Championships as part of the Team USA staff.
(Photo: Nick Turchiaro / Imagn Images)