The Columbus Blue Jackets have hired John Davidson as president of hockey operations, the same role he had with the club from 2012-19.
The 68-year-old Davidson, who was fired as president of the New York Rangers earlier this month, received a five-year deal with Columbus.
In his first stint with the Blue Jackets, Davidson resigned on May 17, 2019, to accept the job with the Rangers.
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The Blue Jackets also announced an extension for general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, which ties him to the club through 2024-25.
“Signing Jarmo to an extension and then bringing J.D. back gives us the right people to address the opportunities and challenges before us and we couldn’t be more excited,” team president Michael Priest said.
One of Davidson’s first priorities will be finding a replacement for coach John Tortorella, who mutually agreed to part ways with the team after six years earlier this month.
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The Blue Jackets made the Stanley Cup playoffs four times in the seven seasons Davidson previously served as president of hockey operations. They finished the 2020-21 season with an 18-26-12 (48 points) record, last in the Central Division.
–Field Level Media