The Columbus Blue Jackets are sticking with the team behind the team. With head coach Dean Evason already under a multi-year deal, the organization has now extended the contracts of his three assistant coaches, Niklas Backstrom, Jared Boll, and Steve McCarthy, ensuring continuity on the bench as the club looks ahead to the 2025-26 NHL season. While the exact terms of the extensions weren’t shared, the message is clear: Columbus values the chemistry and experience these coaches bring.<\/p>
Niklas Backstrom, the team’s goaltending coach, will be entering his sixth season with the Blue Jackets. He’s worn multiple hats during his time with the organization, from scouting talent overseas to developing prospects in Europe. But over the past two seasons, he’s focused on helping Columbus’s goaltenders perform at the NHL level. A former NHL goalie himself, Backstrom brings first-hand knowledge from his 413-game career, mostly spent with the Minnesota Wild, where he posted a strong .914 save percentage and a 2.49 goals-against average.<\/p>