Blue Jackets begin with new coach, new leaders
COLUMBUS — Brad Larsen had a ringside seat as the Columbus Blue Jackets tanked down the stretch last season. He watched how players conducted themselves when the going got tough.
Larsen, then an assistant under coach John Tortorella, was in a good position to judge character as the losses piled up and the team sold off popular players. He thinks that insight gives him an edge as he assembles a roster for the first time as an NHL head coach.
“I really took the opportunity to watch, especially the last six weeks of the season, people responding on the bench, in practice, their habits in the gym,” said Larsen, who was chosen to replace the fired Tortorella. “If your eyes are open and your ears are listening, you hear stuff and interactions. Some guys rose in those situations even though we didn’t win — and some guys, there were concerns.”
Larsen didn’t name names, but it’s clear from recent signings who will form the core of the retooled Blue Jackets. They are all players he knows well. Forwards Oliver Bjorkstrand and Boone Jenner are signed through the 2025-26 season, defenseman Zach Werenski is locked up through 2026-27, and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins just signed an extension through ‘26-’27.
Gone are the players who were the faces of the Columbus teams that went to the playoffs for four straight seasons under Tortorella. Popular captain Nick Foligno landed in Boston, Cam Atkinson was traded to Philadelphia for Jakub Vorecek, All-Star Seth Jones wound up in Chicago via free agency and fellow blue-liner David Savard helped Tampa Bay win a second straight Stanley Cup.
Voracek is a 32-yearold winger who was drafted by Columbus and played here early in his career. The Blue Jackets also added center Sean Kuraly, along with promising young defensemen Jake Bean and Adam Boqvist.
There are continued high expectations for returning forwards Patrik Laine, Alexandre Texier