The Blue Jackets filled the vacancy left by Josh Flynn on Tuesday, hiring long-time NHL executive Laurence Gilman as vice president of hockey operations.
Gilman joins the organization after having spent the last several seasons in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. He acted as assistant general manager from 2018-22, then as senior VP of hockey operations for their AHL affiliate since.
Prior to his time in Toronto, Gilman worked for the Winnipeg Jets and Arizona Coyotes (after relocation) from 1994-2007. He then moved into the Vancouver Canucks organization from 2008-15.
The 61 year old brings a wealth of experience to the front office, which became needed after Josh Flynn took his talents to the Buffalo Sabres organization.
Flynn had been with the Blue Jackets since 2013, and was a loyal Jarmo Kekalainen soldier.
Gilman has a history of working for winning organizations.
Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell spoke highly of Gilman in the team's press release:
"He (Gilman) is extremely knowledgeable about all facets of team and league operations, and his experience and personality will be a great addition to our hockey operations staff."Don Waddell
While Gilman was a part of the Winnipeg/Arizona franchise, the team made the playoffs six times in 13 seasons. He was then with the Canucks during their best run of success in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
During that stretch, Vancouver made the playoffs 6 times in 8 years-including a trip to game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals in 2011. In that time span, they were one of the NHL's most elite teams.
In his stretch with the Maple Leafs, Gilman was a part of one of the most successful regular season teams in the NHL. Then, he managed the AHL Marlies for the past three seasons, the first of which resulted in a North Division title.
Last season, his Marlies were eliminated by the Cleveland Monsters in a 2-game series sweep. If you can't beat em...
You can never have too much experience in the front office.
Waddell adds someone with more than 30 years of NHL front office experience to his team. This is important because this organization has a history of promoting within, or hiring first timers such as Flynn.
It feels like this is the kind of steps this organization needs to take to give itself some respectability and longevity in this league. Hopefully this move helps even things out at the top.
In time, that experience and leadership should trickle down through the entire system and make this team better. At least, that's what we hope.