Columbus Blue Jackets

Police in Michigan are initially investigating the death of Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks as an accident, according to ESPN's Michele Steele:

Clara Hendrickson and Brian Hedger of the Columbus Dispatch reported Kivlenieks was at the home of Blue Jackets goaltending coach Manny Legace in Novi, Michigan, when he was inadvertently struck in the chest with a fireworks mortar shell.

The 24-year-old was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

"We are still looking at this as a tragic accident," Lt. Jason Meier said to the Dispatch. "Based on the new information, we definitely want to reinterview people and make sure that we have an accurate depiction of what happened."

Kivlenieks and others were at the home to celebrate the Fourth of July and also because Legace had hosted his daughter's wedding.

Authorities in Novi said it appears Kivlenieks was "fleeing a hot tub during a fireworks malfunction" and suffered a percussive internal injury. Medical examiner Dr. Ljubisa Dragovic told the Dispatch the autopsy found Kivlenieks suffered "extensive" external and internal injuries, including to the heart and lungs, after being struck on the left side of his chest.

Calls to 911 were made around 10:13 p.m. ET, and emergency personnel arrived within five minutes.

ESPN's Emily Kaplan reported the fireworks used on the night in question were legal in the state of Michigan, and the person operating the display was in compliance with local laws.

Kivlenieks finished up his second season with the Blue Jackets in 2020-21. He made two appearances and registered 64 saves on 71 shots.

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks died Sunday of chest trauma after being hit by an "errant fireworks mortar blast" according to an autopsy (via ESPN).

Authorities originally reported that Kivlenieks died as the result of a head injury suffered in an accidental fall. 

He was 24.

"We are shocked and saddened by the loss of Matiss Kivlenieks, and we extend our deepest sympathies to his mother, Astrida, his family and friends during this devastating time," said Blue Jackets president of hockey operations John Davidson. "Kivi was an outstanding young man who greeted every day and everyone with a smile, and the impact he had during his four years with our organization will not be forgotten." 

The club did not provide further details. Kivlenieks played eight games over two seasons with the Blue Jackets.

The Latvian was in goal for his country at the 2021 IIHF World Championship, leading it to a win over Canada in the group phase of the event and a loss against Kazakhstan. His rise up the ranks was considered unlikely, as he worked his way up through the lower levels of hockey after leaving Latvia.

A breakout while playing with the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL during the 2016-17 season led to him signing with the Blue Jackets. He made his NHL debut in January 2020.

Kivlenieks spent most of his time with the Blue Jackets playing for their AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters. 

Buffalo Sabres star Jack Eichel could be on the move this offseason, and TSN's Darren Dreger has identified three teams that are "in the mix" to land the 24-year-old.

In an appearance Friday on WGR 550, Dreger said the Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Los Angeles Kings are among potential landing spots for the forward. The Sabres captain said last month that "there's been a bit of a disconnect" between him and the organization that drafted him at No. 2 overall in 2015. 

Eichel appeared in 21 games in 2021, scoring two goals and logging 16 assists before a herniated disk in his neck ended his season prematurely. 

According to Jenna Lemoncelli of the New York Post, Eichel wanted to have surgery to repair his neck injury—which he suffered on the ice on March 7—but the Sabres did not support that decision. 

"I have a lot of thinking to do in this offseason," he said in May. "I think that there’s a lot that I have to consider. But for now, obviously, I’m here." 

The center has five years and $50 million remaining on his current contract, with a no-trade clause in effect in 2022. 

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reported Monday that the Sabres were having conversations with other teams and those negotiations were "getting more intense and serious."

In addition to Los Angeles, Anaheim and Columbus, LeBrun tabbed the Minnesota Wild, Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers as possible destinations, noting that he thinks general manager Kevyn Adams is hoping to land a first-round pick in this year's draft in exchange for Eichel. 

With the draft coming up on July 23, that puts any interested team on the clock, something that was reflected when WGR 550's Jeremy White said Thursday that he expected a move to be made within "days."

The Columbus Blue Jackets have promoted Brad Larsen to head coach after he spent the past seven seasons as an assistant. 

Columbus announced on Thursday that Larsen has signed a three-year contract to replace John Tortorella as the franchise's next head coach.

John Davidson, Blue Jackets president of hockey operations, issued a statement in the hiring announcement about Larsen's credentials:

Brad understands the standard that has been set here in recent years for how we expect to play on the ice and how we represent our city and fans off the ice. He shares our values and our vision for what it means to be a Blue Jacket and where we want to go as a franchise and is the right person to lead our team moving forward.

The Blue Jackets announced on May 9 a mutual parting of ways with Tortorella, whose contract expired at the end of the 2020-21 season. He went 227-166-54 in 447 games with the organization over the past six years. 

This season was a disappointment for the Blue Jackets. Their 48 points were tied with the Detroit Red Wings for fewest in the Central Division, and they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16. 

Larsen has been an assistant in Columbus since the 2014-15 season under previous head coach Todd Richards. He remained on staff after Tortorella took over in October 2015. 

The Blue Jackets will mark Larsen's first head-coaching gig in the NHL. The 44-year-old did spend two seasons as head coach of the Springfield Falcons in the American Hockey League from 2012-14.

Larsen led Springfield to a 95-45-11 record and back-to-back division titles. 

Seth Jones' time with the Columbus Blue Jackets may be coming to an end.

Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reported Columbus will likely trade the defenseman this offseason "barring a change of heart by Jones."

Portzline noted two teams reached out to Columbus Sunday.

Those reports come after Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported Jones told the Blue Jackets he does not plan on signing a contract extension and instead intends to become a free agent when his contract expires following the 2021-22 campaign.

Frankly, this is another blow for a Columbus team and market that is starting to develop a reputation as one where notable players are not staying.

Artemi Panarin, Sergei Bobrovsky and Matt Duchene all signed elsewhere right after the best playoff run in franchise history in 2019 when the Blue Jackets stunned the powerhouse Tampa Bay Lightning with a first-round sweep and pushed the Boston Bruins to six games in the second round.

Columbus also traded Pierre-Luc Dubois after there was some apparent tension with then-head coach John Tortorella.

Blue Jackets president of hockey operations John Davidson discussed the situation with Jones in comparison to the one with Panarin, per Portzline:

The No. 1 thing we'd like to do is keep Seth. He has every right in the world to leave if he wants to not extend the contract, but we'll do what's best for our team. We just want players who want to be here.

This is a different scenario (than in 2019). We were in a position (then) where we thought we had a chance to make a pretty good run at (the Stanley Cup). Beating Tampa Bay (in the first round) was great. Losing to Boston in six ... it was a good series, and they lost in seven in the Final.

The Blue Jackets finished in last place in the Central Division during the 2020-21 campaign and may be headed toward a rebuild, especially if they move Jones.

The three-time All-Star is one of the best overall defensemen in the NHL as someone who can anchor the blue line, get involved in the offense and be a factor on the power play. He was an integral part of the 2019 run for the Blue Jackets and is just 26 years old in the middle of his prime.

Losing someone like that would be a blow for the organization, although he could also bring in quite the return in a potential deal.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones has reportedly informed the team he plans to leave once he hits free agency in 2022. 

"We can tell you that sometime in the last week or so, Seth Jones informed the Columbus Blue Jackets that he will not be re-signing," Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet said Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada. "I’m saying 'for now' at this point because I don’t like to deal in absolutes. But it does appear as if he is prepared to test free agency, and we’ll see how Columbus decides to handle this over the next little while."

Jones is under contract through the 2021-22 season. His decision to inform the Blue Jackets of his plans now could give them the opportunity to trade him this summer.

Columbus finished 18-26-12 during the regular season, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16.

“It was just a tough season in general for everybody,” Jones told reporters earlier this month. “Really, nothing went right for us right from the start. Whether it was injuries, or myself not playing well, some other guys not playing well or up to the standard we needed to, we just didn't jell in time."

Jones was noncommittal when asked about his future, though he called testing free agency "a situation that you only get once in your lifetime." It's clear the allure of being recruited is appealing to the 26-year-old, who has made four All-Star teams during his career.

Jones likely would be in consideration to become the highest-paid defenseman in the NHL once he hits the open market. Erik Karlsson ($11.5 million) and Drew Doughty ($11 million) are the only two defensemen in the league who have an AAV of greater than $10 million.

It's possible the Blue Jackets could break the bank and convince Jones to stay, but it's more likely we're hearing the first of several trade rumors about him this summer. 

After a last-place finish in the Central Division this season, John Tortorella's time as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets has come to an end. 

Alex Portzline of The Athletic first reported Saturday that Tortorella told the Blue Jackets he won't return to the team with his contract set to expire this summer. Blue Jackets general manager and alternate governor Jarmo Kekalainen confirmed the news Sunday.

Tortorella released a statement on the decision:

After discussion and consideration of the future direction of the team, Jarmo and I have come to a mutual agreement to part ways. I'd like to thank the Columbus Blue Jackets organization for the opportunity to coach this team and live in the great Columbus-area. It has been a privilege to work with the players, coaches and hockey operations staff, which is one of the best in the League. Also, I want to thank the CBJ fans and the community for the support they've given the team and for the work of the CBJ family in support of the community.

Columbus finished the 2020-21 season with an 18-26-12 record after Saturday's 5-4 win over the Detroit Red Wings. Its 48 points were tied with the Red Wings for fewest in the Central Division. 

There was a point this season when it looked like the Blue Jackets were going to be a playoff contender. They were 13-12-7 through 32 games, but they proceeded to lose 14 of their final 19 games. 

Tortorella was hired by the Blue Jackets in October 2015 after Todd Richards was fired following an 0-7-0 start to the season. 

The Blue Jackets made four consecutive trips to the postseason between 2016-17 and 2019-20. They advanced to the second round in 2019, but lost in the opening round three times during that stretch. 

Tortorella is the franchise's all-time leader in games coached (447), wins (227) and playoff games (31). The 62-year-old owns a 673-541-37 record in 20 seasons as an NHL head coach. 

It has been a disappointing season for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and they have now opted to trade their captain as a result.

The Blue Jackets traded Nick Foligno to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday in a three-team deal:

As TSN's Frank Seravalli reported, Toronto will only be on the hook for part of Foligno's salary:

"Really excited for the opportunity!" Foligno said in a text to TSN's Pierre LeBrun. "Bittersweet with how much has been invested in Columbus, but a chance to win a Cup is all you can ask for and I truly feel it’s a great group in Toronto. Now the work begins."

Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen thanked Foligno for his contributions to the franchise in a statement:

Nick Foligno has been everything you'd want in a captain, in a representative of your team and ambassador for your community. His contributions to the Blue Jackets franchise and the impact he and his family have had off the ice is immeasurable. We are grateful for everything he, Janelle, and their family have done for and with us over the past nine years. Given where we are right now, this move made sense for us as an organization and for Nick.

Seravalli previously reported the Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche and Washington Capitals were among the teams that could trade a first-round pick to the Blue Jackets in a deal that included Foligno.

While Foligno played the first five seasons of his career for the Ottawa Senators, it will be somewhat jarring to see him suit up for a team outside of Columbus at this point given his status with the franchise.

The Blue Jackets made the playoffs one time in their entire history before he arrived for the 2012-13 campaign. They have made the playoffs five times with him on their roster, including in each of the last four seasons.

They also won their first postseason series in franchise history when they stunned the top-seeded Tampa Bay Lightning with a first-round sweep in 2019.

However, they are just 15-20-8 this season and sitting in seventh place in the Central Division. Foligno is also a free agent after the season, so moving him for draft capital could help facilitate a rebuild.

Columbus also traded David Savard in a deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Detroit Red Wings and landed a 2021 first-round pick and 2022 third-round pick.

As for Foligno, he was named an All-Star in 2015 and won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy and Mark Messier Leadership Award during the 2016-17 campaign in a testament to what he brings a team beyond his statistics.

The veteran has just 16 points in 42 games this season but could provide leadership and two-way play from the wing for the Maple Leafs. He is a forward who can remain on the ice during the penalty kill and create for others when on the attack.

That could help Toronto win its first Stanley Cup since 1967.

The Columbus Blue Jackets benched Patrik Laine during Monday's game against the Carolina Hurricanes for a verbal dispute with a member of the coaching staff. 

Per Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, Laine was disciplined after he "verbally disrespected" a Blue Jackets coach. 

Portzline noted it was "unclear which coach had the interaction with Laine or if it was a single interaction or a series of events."

There was speculation that Laine's benching was the result of his indifference on the defensive end, but head coach John Tortorella denied that was the case. 

"There's a number of things that come into play with that," Tortorella told reporters after Monday's 3-2 win over Carolina. "That'll stay in the locker room." 

Laine played a season-low 11 minutes against the Hurricanes and didn't get into the game during the third period. 

The Blue Jackets acquired Laine from the Winnipeg Jets on Jan. 23. The 22-year-old has played in four games with Columbus. He's tied for fourth on the team with three goals scored. 

Columbus' next game is on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Tortorella hasn't said if his star winger will be available to play. 

The Blue Jackets are in fourth place in the Central Division with a 6-5-3 record this season.

Columbus Blue Jackets center Pierre-Luc Dubois may soon have a new home, which would end a fractious relationship between player and team.

"Columbus is closing in on a trade involving Pierre Luc Dubois," TSN's Darren Dreger reported Friday. "It's a complicated process that could be resolved as early as tomorrow. Teams have been told they're out. Hard to say who's in, but it's believed Winnipeg is among them."

Pierre LeBrun of TSN listed the teams that have inquired about Dubois:

LeBrun mentioned the Anaheim Ducks in particular, tweeting that they "are still trying on Dubois as well. They've been on it from the beginning." He then added later in the evening that the three finalists appeared to be the Ducks, Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens.

Jackie Spiegel of Sporting News provided a timeline of key moments between Dubois and the Blue Jackets, most notably those involving Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella.

The coach and Dubois had "notable clashes" last season, per Brian Hedger of the Columbus Dispatch. This included a public spat on the bench during a play-in series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Dubois and the Jackets agreed to a two-year, $10 million contract extension before the season, but word soon emerged that he had requested a trade. Tortorella confirmed that in an interview with 97.1 The Fan's Rothman and Ice.

"He wants out. He spoke to the team as we do here," Tortorella said, per Sean Leahy of NBC Sports. "It's a little bit different [situation] than [Artemi Panarin] and [Sergei Bobrovsky]. This is a 22-year-old kid; [it] doesn't happen that often. He has been honest with the group. I wish he was a little bit more honest as far as reasons why. Still haven't really gotten to that, but I think he needs to speak on that. I won't."

On Thursday, Tortorella benched Dubois for more than the last two periods against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

"[Dubois] doesn't get benched for one shift of last night's game," Tortorella said, per Aaron Portzline of The Athletic. "This has eroded and it kept on eroding in the first five games."

Portzline called it "a wandering, aimless, effortless span of time in which Dubois didn't battle for the puck and took nearly 10 seconds to skate from the corner of the rink to the Blue Jackets bench for a line change."

And now it appears Dubois' days with Columbus are numbered. He will be a healthy scratch Saturday against Tampa Bay, per Portzline.

Dubois, the third pick in the 2016 draft, has 66 goals and 93 assists in three-plus seasons with the Blue Jackets. He has one goal in five games this year.