Oller: Mike Babcock fiasco feels like a bad Vegas nightclub act for Columbus Blue Jackets

Jul 1, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Columbus Blue Jackets introduce Mike Babcock as their new head coach during a press conference at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Robertson-The Columbus Dispatch

The NHL trade deadline came and went on March 3. Too bad, because I have the perfect deal for the Blue Jackets. Actually, for their fans. Trade the organization to Las Vegas in return for the Golden Knights.

Think about it. The CBJ are perfectly built for Sin City. They already exist as a cheap nightclub act, and the Mike Babcock fiasco provides a perfect circus-like atmosphere for the strip.

Sure, Vegas hockey fans lose out, but they’re used to overpaying to watch the same tired acts. And the Jackets make Wayne Newton look like Harry Styles.

Think about it. The Blue Jackets wouldn’t even need to come up with a new gig, just recycle the same one previously performed by Siegfried & Roy, the German entertainers who foolishly worked with lions and tigers.

Which brings us back to Babcock.

President of Blue Jackets hockey operations John Davidson and general manager Jarmo Kekalainen are the Siegfried & Roy of Nationwide Arena. They knew that hiring Babcock was risky, because of the baggage he brought, which included embarrassing players in front of their teammates and pressing mental health buttons that served to show off the coach’s power more than motivate toward success.

But Davidson and Kekalainen took a chance on him anyway. Whoops.

Things did not end well for Roy Horn, who was attacked and seriously injured by one of the tigers during a 2003 performance.

Jul 1, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Columbus Blue Jackets introduce Mike Babcock as their new head coach during a press conference at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Robertson-The Columbus Dispatch

So far, Davidson and Kekalainen have avoided a similar metaphorical fate.

My question is … how? Put your head in the mouth of a man-eater like Babcock, and aren’t you kind of asking to lose it? But as of this writing, the two front office front men were still employed by owner John P. McConnell, who runs his hockey casino the way Terry Benedict did in “Ocean’s Eleven” – prone to rip-off.

I’m all for extending grace for mistakes, but I’m just as big on demanding accountability. It’s one thing to have hired Babcock, who is now stuck with another negative on his resume, not to mention a $1.24 million condo near Nationwide Arena. It is another thing entirely to deliver what amounted to a “nothing to see here” defense of Babcock when reports surfaced of the coach’s invasive move of viewing players’ cell phone pictures. One NHL Players’ Association investigation later and now there was a lot to see here.

Think about it. Only two scenarios are plausible: Davidson and Kekalainen wanted to believe the bullying Babcock was reformed. Or … one or both approved of Babcock’s tough-guy approach to coaching, if not always his tactics.

Jarmo Kekalainen, general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets, left, answers a question as John Davidson, president of hockey operations.

Either way, the two execs entered the cage with a wild animal. Unfortunately, they also brought Columbus with them. That’s the collateral damage aspect of this. The city looks bad by association. The Blue Jackets are not exactly a model of success, and now they make more negative national news by having hired a toad who hopped away without having coached a game, but not before leaving warts for all to see.

It’s embarrassing, but apparently not for the Blue Jackets, who seemingly have become immune to blushing. Nothing to see here, right? Ah, but the players know. Management may think they can run Stinger out there, toss out a few free magnets and T-shirts and everything will be fine. But how can the players trust their bosses after this? Respect their bosses after this?

And not just current players, but who wants to play for a team that bungled the Babcock hiring and subsequent (forced?) resignation?

I’ve always contended the CBJ needs to win more than a single playoff series to keep top-level talent from exiting to the bright lights and beaches of “sexier” cities. Columbus, as cool as it is for many of us living here, simply can’t compete against New York, Florida and so on. Unless you win big. Or at least bigger.

But what talent wants to sign or stay with a hopeless organization that makes hapless moves like sticking its head in the mouth of a long-fanged Babcock?

Time to not just think about it. Somebody get Vegas on the phone. The 2024 trade deadline is less than a year away.

Single Ohio State play reveals a lot

One play, two takeaways. Dispatch OSU beat writer Bill Rabinowitz breaks down game film a day after each game, and one short video cut from Saturday’s 63-10 win against Western Kentucky is worth analyzing:

Tailback TreVeyon Henderson is dangerous catching passes out of the backfield but could be even more lethal. On a first-half swing pass from Kyle McCord, Henderson took a wide route toward the sideline when it appeared that twice he could have gained more yardage by cutting inside. Not to say the play failed. Henderson gained 27 yards. But might it have been more with slightly better field vision?

Sep 16, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Josh Fryar (70) blocks Western Kentucky Hilltoppers linebacker Bryson Washington (20) for running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 63-10.

The more obvious revelation was the downfield blocking of wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. who proved he’s more than a pass catcher. On Henderson’s 27-yard reception-and-run, Harrison blocked WKU defensive back Anthony Johnson Jr. out of the play, sticking with his block until Henderson blew past.

Those are the kind of plays that get a wide receiver taken top-10 in the NFL draft.

Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill (10) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Listening in

“Those fans are some of the worst fans in the NFL. And I’m going to stand on that; they are real nasty. Some of the things they were saying, I wouldn’t say in church. So yeah, it felt great to wave good-bye to the fans, and I’ll do it again. Bye.” – Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill, sharing his dislike for New England Patriots fans after the Dolphins’ 24-17 win Sunday night.

A gas pump at a Turkey Hill on North High Street.

Off-topic

Current pet peeve: Drivers checking their phones in the car for a minute or more after finishing pumping gas. A little courtesy for the next car in line, please?

roller@dispatch.com

@rollerCD

Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Mike Babcock mess makes Columbus Blue Jackets laughingstock of NHL