The Blue Jackets’ season ended in mid April, and while things here in the WFNY corner of the CBJ world have been quiet (that’s called “knowing your audience,” son!), GM Scott Howson and the front office have had anything but a quiet six weeks. After nailing down the fourth pick in the draft lottery, there has been scouting to do. Oh, and there has been the matter of hiring a new coach. But other than that…

The Blue Jackets early on targeted five candidates for interview (head over to Dark Blue Jacket for some very good background on all five; check the left frame), including interim coach Claude Noel. The presumed front-runner was former Jackets player and current Portland Pirates (Buffalo’s AHL team) coach Kevin Dineen. That’s why it shocked many who followed the team that Howson was willing to wait almost three additional weeks to interview Hamilton Bulldogs (Montreal’s AHL team) coach, Guy Boucher.

Well, there appears to have been good reason, as The Dispatch is reporting that Boucher has been offered the job to coach the Blue Jackets. He has until Tuesday to accept or reject the offer, at which time a contract will be discussed or the Jackets will move on to their second choice. [Read more...]