Blue Jackets promote Brad Larsen to head coach

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Blue Jackets have promoted Brad Larsen to fill the head coaching vacancy left after Columbus parted ways with John Tortorella after six seasons at the helm. The 43-year-old Larsen has been an assistant coach with the Blue Jackets for the past seven seasons. He agreed to a three-year contract through the 2023-24 season. The 62-year-old Tortorella was in the last year of his contract when he was let go in May. The move wasn’t a surprise after a tumultuous season that saw the Blue Jackets plunge to last place in their division amid the Tortorella’s admitted failure to influence the team culture.