Sekeres & Price Show Laurence Gilman: Creating a good culture on a hockey team and His new role with the Blue Jackets
Jan 14, 2026
Laurence Gilman, a seasoned hockey executive with a rich history at the Canucks, Leafs, and Jets, discusses his new role as VP of Hockey Operations for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He dives into how crucial team culture influences performance, analyzing Kent Johnson's promising turnaround this season. Gilman assesses the Blue Jackets' strengths and challenges, emphasizing fan enthusiasm and engaging game-day traditions. He also shares insights on leadership changes, highlighting the impact of culture within the organization.
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How The Columbus Job Came Together
- Laurence Gilman described how his relationship with Don Waddell and earlier talks in Carolina led quickly to the Columbus job.
- A sudden opening when Josh Flynn left for Buffalo accelerated the hire and closed the deal rapidly.
Role Focus: Cap, Contracts And Operations
- Gilman will serve much like he did in Vancouver, handling administrative, operational and cap duties as VP of Hockey Operations.
- Columbus currently sits about $17 million below the cap, which eases short-term contract flexibility.
Roster Better Than The Record
- Gilman believes the Blue Jackets roster is much better than their record suggests due to talent like Adam Fantilli and Zach Werenski.
- He cites inconsistent goaltending and discipline as main reasons they left points on the table.