Columbus Blue Jackets Fire Head Coach After Disappointing Season

Columbus Blue Jackets Fire Head Coach After Disappointing Season...

The Columbus Blue Jackets have fired head coach Brad Larsen following a disappointing 2025-26 NHL season. The team announced the decision Thursday morning after finishing near the bottom of the Metropolitan Division with a 27-42-13 record.

General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen called the move "necessary for the franchise's future" in a statement. Larsen, who had coached the team since 2021, failed to guide the Blue Jackets to playoff contention during his tenure.

The firing comes as the Blue Jackets prepare for a critical offseason. The team holds the third-best odds for the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, scheduled for April 28. Columbus fans have expressed frustration online about the team's prolonged struggles.

Social media reaction has been mixed, with some praising the change while others question the front office's direction. The Blue Jackets haven't won a playoff series since 2019, when they famously swept the Presidents' Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning.

Potential coaching candidates include former Rangers coach Gerard Gallant and AHL standout Todd Nelson. The team says it will conduct a "thorough search" for Larsen's replacement in coming weeks.

This marks the third coaching change in Columbus since John Tortorella's departure in 2021. The Blue Jackets finished the season with the league's fourth-worst goals-against average (3.72 per game).

Team president Mike Priest acknowledged fan disappointment in Thursday's announcement. "We understand our performance hasn't met expectations," Priest said. "This decision reflects our commitment to building a winner."

The coaching search begins immediately as the organization prepares for the NHL Draft in Montreal this June. Season ticket holders received an email Thursday morning explaining the move.