Bob Hartley Rules Out A Return To Coaching

If you had former NHL Head Coach Bob Hartley on your list, you can go ahead and cross him off, maybe. 

Hartley told the French-speaking BPM Sports that although he has tremendous respect for new Columbus GM Don Waddell, he's moved on from coaching and enjoys his family and playing pickleball. You can listen to the full interview below. 

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dN33moa7Ow[/embed]

But don't rule him out just yet. According to Hartley, he would be willing to talk about being a consultant for a "serious organization." Remember, Hartley was in Atlanta at the same time Don Waddell was and coached for Waddell from 02-08, so the two go way back. Waddell had to fire Hartley after six games in 2007 when the Thrashers started 0-6. Waddell would take over coaching duties and guide Atlanta back to .500, finishing 34-34-8.

Would Don Waddell be able to drag Hartley, who has coached 944 NHL games, won a Stanley Cup, a Gagarin Cup(KHL), a Swiss championship, and an AHL Calder Cup out of retirement, to be a consultant?

If Waddell can stack his organization with bonified hockey people to help build this franchise into a respectable one, the sky is almost definitely the limit. But with one name seemingly crossed off the list, he'll need to find another coach with the experience demands that he has. 

What do you think? Please share your thoughts on our forum.

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