In a move that has stunned the entire hockey world the Columbus Blue Jackets fired head coach Todd Richards and hired John Tortorella when they could instead have retained the services of Randy Carlyle.

The firing was of course not the surprising part. Any of the tens of people who watched the Blue Jackets limp through last night's game against the Islanders could see the explanation that they have "no confidence" was a major understatement.

The Jackets were shut out despite having 8 nearly consecutive minutes of power play time in the third period, the Islanders practically begging them to take the puck and score. They also have the hockey force that is David Clarkson's abs; all of that strength down the middle and they were still knocked back for a seventh straight loss; the only team yet to earn a point this NHL season. Todd Richards was toast.

Speaking of toast, that brings me to the surprising part of this situation: the fact that John Tortorella was hired when Norris Trophy winning, Stanley Cup champion, and Third-Place-Jack-Adams-Vote-After-He-Was-Fired-Receiving coach Randy Carlyle is completely available to any team that wants him.

The fact that Columbus chose John Tortorella became doubly peculiar when the always reliable "sources" said only three days ago that no one had asked permission to speak to him.

Carlyle, the 1981 Norris Trophy winner, is well known for his tight defensive systems, though he often had difficulty explaining them.

As Brian Burke put it best: "Winning the Stanley Cup with Anaheim showed he is a proven winner."

Carlyle is more than just a coach, he's a mentor to his players, offering sage advice to help them improve.

He's even a medical expert, who no doubt can help players prevent injuries with his peer reviewed research.

I have a theory on concussions. I think the reason there's so much more of them — obviously the impact and the size of the equipment and the size of the player — but there's another factor: everyone wears helmets, and under your skull when you have a helmet on, there's a heat issue. Everyone sweats a lot more, the brain swells. The brain is closer to the skull. Think about it. Does it make sense? Common sense?

Doesn't hiring Carlyle make sense? Common sense?

Would you hire Carlyle right now?

Yes.120
Of course!316