Brad Larsen Fired as Blue Jackets HC After Worst Record in NHL's Eastern Conference

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced Saturday they fired head coach Brad Larsen.

Columbus had the worst record (25-48-9) in the Eastern Conference in 2022-23 after missing the playoffs in Larsen's first season at the helm.

General manager Jarmo Kekalainen said the season "has been extremely disappointing" when addressing the departures of Larsen and goaltending coach Manny Legace:

"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."

The Columbus Dispatch's Brian Hedger noted the Blue Jackets had 47 different players, including six goaltenders, suit up for them this year because of injuries across the roster. The combined absences amounted to a franchise-record 563 games lost.

There's no question Larsen was dealt a tough hand. Columbus wasn't exactly considered a Stanley Cup favorite coming into the season, either. Even with the offseason addition of Johnny Gaudreau, Bleacher Report's Lyle Fitzsimmons ranked the team 23rd in the league prior to opening night.

Still, Larsen's ouster is a sign of the organization's ambitions, and the coach deserves a share of blame for how things transpired on the ice.

Well before the injuries took their toll, the Blue Jackets dug themselves an early hole by winning just three of their first 12 games. Defense was a persistent problem, too, as they allowed the second-most shots (2,903) and the second-highest goals-against average (4.00).

The John Tortorella era ran its course by the end of 2020-21, and pivoting to a younger, more inexperienced replacement made plenty of sense. Larsen, 45, was already an assistant coach as well, so he had plenty of familiarity with the squad.

Kekalainen was effusive in his praise of Larsen when he was first hired and told reporters that none of the candidates the team interviewed surpassed the "Lars bar."

Making a change this soon doesn't exactly reflect well on the front office, but forging ahead with a coach you don't believe in largely to avoid bad optics is a self-defeating strategy.

Fans will obviously be eager to see how the search for Larsen's replacement evolves because whomever Columbus hires will indicate to some extent how far Kekalainen believes the Jackets are from contention.