Blue Jackets fire Larsen after 2 seasons as head coach

The Columbus Blue Jackets fired head coach Brad Larsen after two years at the helm, the team announced Saturday.

Larsen was promoted to bench boss in 2021 following a seven-year spell as an assistant with the organization. Goaltending coach Manny Legace was also let go.

"This season has been extremely disappointing, and the responsibility for that lies with all of us," general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in a statement. "These decisions were difficult and not made lightly, given our respect for both Brad and Manny as coaches and people. Brad has been part of our organization for more than a decade, and we are extremely thankful for his hard work and many contributions - both on and off the ice - during that time. We wish nothing but the best for Brad and his family in the future."

Larsen took over the Blue Jackets' bench after the club split ways with John Tortorella. It was his first head coaching gig in the NHL. Columbus finished sixth in the Metropolitan Division in Larsen's debut year, then finished 31st in the league standings this year after a slew of injuries dashed the offseason optimism of landing star Johnny Gaudreau on a seven-year contract in free agency.

Under Larsen, the Blue Jackets owned a 62-86-16 record.

Columbus has the second-highest odds (13.5%) of winning May's draft lottery and the right to draft generational talent Connor Bedard, which could sway potential coaching suitors should it come to fruition.

There are now three head coaching vacancies across the NHL. The Anaheim Ducks let go of Dallas Eakins on Friday, while the Washington Capitals parted ways with Peter Laviolette.