Ken Hitchcock Gets the Axe

You may have remember my October entry concerning heavily-minded defensive coaches, with one of the main examples being now ex-Columbus Head Coach Ken Hitchcock.

I explained Hitchcock's affect as thus:

"Hitchcock is the consummate defensive-minded coach. He refuses to play young players big minutes until he feels that they are able to cope 100% with their defense responsibilities. 'Hitch' also has no problem playing guys better suited for third and fourth line roles on his top two lines, believing their defensive capabilities can off-set some of the defensive liability that his offensive players may present.

Last season, Hitchcock's defensive system elevated the Jackets from the doldrums of the Western Conference and into the playoffs, where they were swept in four games by the Red Wings.

I hope the Jackets are content with just making the playoffs. Because under Hitchcock, that is all they can hope to accomplish.

For the Jackets to be successful in the long-run, they will need to allow their young players to mature, learn the finer points of being NHL players, and then prosper."

Well, the time for the Jackets' young players to prosper starts now.

Hitchcock's fate was sealed this season for two reasons:

1. Goaltending - the Jackets haven't gotten in. To say Steve Mason has undergone the proverbial sophomore slump would be a gross understatement. He's been downright atrocious.

2. The stagnation of Columbus' young players. Nikita Filatov left for another continent after seeing eight minutes a game and healthy scratches. Jakub Voracek is riding a seven game pointless streak and is on pace for just a two point improvement from a season ago. Derick Brassard has fewer points now, in 57 games, than he did last year when he had 25 in 31.

Hitchcock's dismissal means a handful of things for Columbus:

1. Time to let the kids play. Voracek and Brassard should be staples in top-six roles, and I am very confident Filatov will come back from Russia from next season, now.

2. Rick Nash's numbers should rise - especially if the kids begin to mature as they should.

3. More goals.

4. But, more wins may take some time. There is little doubt brighter days are ahead in Columbus, but I'm not 100% sure they will be next season. It's hard to tell how quick Columbus' young guys will develop in a new system.

All in all, this move makes long-term sustainable success possible in Columbus.