Mathieu Darche to become Columbus GM: Bob Hartley hears some “fiddling” going on

It’s now been two months since the Blue Jackets fired Jarmo Kekalainen, who had been the club’s GM for years. Since then, team president John Davidson has been in charge on an interim basis.

That said, with the draft and free agent market approaching, the team will probably want to find a GM as soon as possible. In Columbus, it’s starting to look like it’s time for the club to get back to winning ways.

Jeff Gorton’s name was mentioned at the time, given his ties with Davidson from their time with the Rangers, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen. Gorton says he’s happy in Montreal, and in any case, Geoff Molson has no intention of letting his manager talk to other clubs.

A good thing settled, then.

So that means the Blue Jackets must be looking elsewhere… and according to Bob Hartley, who wouldn’t guarantee it (he’s not a “scoop guy”, he says), there’s quite a bit of “bullshit” linking Mathieu Darche to the GM job in Columbus, as he claimed on BPM Sports.

Mathieu Darche’s first NHL GM experience… in Columbus? According to Bob, it could very well be! #Columbus #BlueJackets #LNH #ColumbusBlueJackets

https://t.co/ehvgRjOjnA pic.twitter.com/2Q3WPccLOh

– BPM Sports (@BPMSportsRadio) April 18, 2024

We know that the Blue Jackets are looking for an experienced hockey head to be the team’s GM, but that by “experience” we don’t necessarily mean “a former GM”. Rather, we want someone with a proven track record in the business, and Darche has been rolling his hump in Tampa Bay for years.

His name had circulated in Montreal and Ottawa in recent years for the GM position, but in the end, he stayed with Julien BriseBois.

Darche has also worn the Blue Jackets’ colors, and was part of the team’s first edition when it arrived in the NHL.

It would be a great story to see him “come home” to his first general manager position in the Bettman circuit.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on the situation, but with Hartley looking pretty plump, it’s safe to assume that there may actually be a fire associated with this smoke.

And with his name still circulating, it seems only a matter of time before Darche gets an NHL GM job.

Breaking news

– Wow.

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– TVA Sports (@TVASports) April 18, 2024

– Gary Bettman discussed the news of the day on Sportsnet this evening.

Gary Bettman chats with @SNCaroline following the official sale of the Coyotes and relocation to Utah. pic.twitter.com/u1oDWGeOrk

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 18, 2024

– Sean Monahan will have played 83 regular-season games this season.

– He’s tried everything to no avail.

– Great story.