Craig Button's harsh critique highlights Columbus Blue Jackets' struggles
Craig Button, known for his direct and unfiltered opinions since transitioning from his role as General Manager of the Calgary Flames to a media personality, has recently delivered a stinging critique of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Speaking on the Sick Podcast following the trade that sent star winger Patrik Laine to the Montreal Canadiens, Button did not hold back in his assessment of the Blue Jackets' franchise woes.
The Blue Jackets, a team with only one playoff round win in their 24-year history, seem destined to miss the postseason again. This forecast follows their decision to trade away Laine, marking another step in a seemingly endless cycle of rebuilds and near-misses at playoff contention. Over the years, Columbus has seen the departure of several key players like Sergei Bobrovsky, Artemi Panarin, and now Laine, with only promises of future potential remaining.
Despite harboring talented prospects, the team's trajectory remains uncertain. Button's harsh words reflect a broader sentiment that Columbus has long been an outlier in terms of competitive success within the NHL. Unlike other teams that have faced similar criticisms in the past, such as the now-defunct Arizona Coyotes, Columbus's situation seems particularly ingrained and challenging to overcome.
With Don Waddell now at the helm, hopes are high that he can leverage his experience from successful tenures, like with the Carolina Hurricanes, to turn the Blue Jackets into genuine contenders. Waddell's strategy and decision-making in the coming seasons will be critical as he attempts to steer Columbus away from its history of underachievement and towards a more competitive and successful future.
| POLL | ||
23 AOUT | 22 ANSWERS Craig Button's harsh critique highlights Columbus Blue Jackets' struggles Do you believe that the Blue Jackets might be moved? | ||
| Yes | 9 | 40.9 % |
| No | 13 | 59.1 % |
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