After almost four seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, Todd McLellan was let go last February and was immediately looking for his next job.
He still had one year left on his contract extension with the Kings but was itching to get back into coaching.
He appeared to be one of the front runners for the vacant Columbus Blue Jackets job, and Columbus allegedly wanted him.
The coach and team were in contract discussions that have apparently broken down with the Blue Jackets, McLellan and the Kings unable to work out a deal.
There are a handful of factors at play here.
McLellan was one of the highest paid coaches in the league with LA, making a deal to buyout that contract more complicated.
LA wants the best deal possible and Columbus doesn't want to be paying over value.
Columbus is also still on the hook for Mike Babcock's contract after Babcock was fired before ever coaching a game for the franchise.
Another reason being reported is that McLellan and Columbus disagree about how far away this Blue Jackets team is away from competing.
It looks like Columbus still holds interest in McLellan though and will try again to strike a deal.
McLellan would be a good option for them too.
He's one of the best coaches in the league and implementing and drilling a system into a team, particularly defensively sound systems.
For a young Blue Jackets team that shipped goals last season, McLellan's ability to get his team's playing a good defensive structure would help.
McLellan was criticized at times in LA for not properly using young players, so it would be interesting to see how he handles a young Blue Jackets team if he is hired.
McLellan is a good coach and will find a job somewhere, now we wait and see if Columbus is that somewhere and if any teams can get a deal over the line with LA.