Blue Jackets Fire Head Coach Brad Larsen

The Columbus Blue Jackets have made a major change in their leadership by firing head coach Brad Larsen. This move comes after a disappointing season for the team, which finished with a record of 29-36-7 and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year. 

Larsen was appointed as the eighth head coach in Blue Jackets history in June 2021 and signed a three-year contract through the 2023-24 season. Larsen's deal has a year remaining but he won't be seeing the end of it. He joined the org in 2010-2011 as an assistant coach in the AHL and he has worked his way up to the head coaching for the Blue Jackets.

The decision to fire Larsen was not an easy one for General Manager and Alternate Governor Jarmo Kekalainen. In a statement, Kekalainen expressed his appreciation for Larsen's contributions to the organization over the past decade. However, he acknowledged that the team's disappointing season required a change in leadership.

The Blue Jackets also announced that the contract of goaltending coach Manny Legace would not be renewed. Legace's contract expires after this season. 

The Blue Jackets will now begin the search for a new head coach (with both internal and external candidates considered) who can lead the team moving forward.