I don't understand the point of having the position of POHO if it's the same person as the GM
But whatever
Specific to Columbus, Waddell is replacing John Davidson/Jarmo Kekalainen as the person/persons running the hockey ops. Columbus chose not to eliminate the job title of POHO. IIRC Waddell held the same titles with Carolina as well. Much of this is a status and /or respect thing giving him the 3 titles.
It’s pretty normal not to have two different people as POHO and GM or not even have a POHO. Thats the case for all 4 teams left in the playoffs.
Drury/Zito have the same titles as Waddell
Holland is GM and POHO. Not sure if he’s an alternate governor
Nill is just the GM and the Stars have no POHO.
EDIT: A front office set up that shows how silly these job titles can get + how little they can mean is Detroit
Stevie Y is the Executive VPOHO and GM
Lidstrom is the VPOHO
Then there are assistant GMs.
Functionally that set up is no different than if it was Stevie Y was just GM and Lidstrom was an associate GM.