Blue Jackets fire coach, start over

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Many of their disgruntled fans want to blow up the Columbus Blue Jackets’ roster and start over. Others think the foundation has already been built and there’s no need for another painful rebuilding plan.

Some want to trade away the face of the franchise, Rick Nash. Most think there are parts, including the captain, that must be retained.

News that the club had fired second-year coach Scott Arniel on Monday hardly came as a surprise, particularly for a team last in the NHL in wins and points and buzz.

Now it’s up to Todd Richards, elevated from assistant to interim head coach, and GM Scott Howson to give the fan base some hope.

Again, the franchise finds itself at a crossroads.

Richards believes it comes down to demanding commitment from the players.

“Accountability is a big word,” Richards said. “I know coaches throw it around and you hear it all the time: Accountability. It’s players getting the ice time that they deserve. To me, that’s it — it’s a team that driven from within.”

In its 11-plus years, the franchise has tried youth movements, a defensive style, wide-open hockey, spending very little money and backing a Brink’s truck up to the owners’ bank vault. All of that scheming and planning and all those personnel moves have netted one, brief playoff trip. And no postseason wins.