Blues’ Davidson Has Interviewed With Jackets
John Davidson, president of hockey operations for the St. Louis Blues, interviewed last week for an executive-level position with the Blue Jackets, The Dispatch has learned via NHL sources.
Davidson, 59, was in Columbus on May 29 to interview with Blue Jackets’ majority owner John P. McConnell and club president Mike Priest.
Neither McConnell nor Priest would comment on the club’s interest in Davidson last week when The Dispatch requested an interview. Through a club spokesman, McConnell said that his franchise will continue to “pursue every opportunity to improve as a hockey club.”
It’s unclear what role Davidson might fill with the Blue Jackets, or how his addition would affect the role of Priest, or others. In St. Louis, he presided over an experienced and accomplished hockey operations staff, but Columbus has one of the most inexperienced front offices in the NHL.
Also to consider is what impact Davidson’s arrival would have on the impending trade of Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash, who asked to be traded last winter after he was told by management that the Jackets were rebuilding. One NHL source said he suspected a meeting between Davidson and Nash would be one of the first items on Davidson’s agenda should he join the Blue Jackets.
Davidson is nearing the end of a 30-day window in his contract in which he is allowed to pursue opportunities with other NHL clubs. The window was triggered, per his contract, when Blues were purchased by Tom Stillman on May 9, and closes on Friday.http://www.bluejacketsxtra.com/content/blogs/puck-rakers/2012/06/blues-davidson-has-interviewed-with-jackets.html