John Tortorella replaces Todd Richards as coach of Columbus (0-7-0)

— -- COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Columbus Blue Jackets fired coach Todd Richards on Wednesday following the team's 0-7-0 start, a source confirmed.

TSN earlier reported the news of Richards' firing.

The Blue Jackets replaced Richards with veteran bench boss John Tortorella, the source said. Tortorella last coached the Vancouver Canucks in 2013-14.

Richards was named head coach of the Jackets in May 2012, leading them to a playoff berth in 2013-14, when they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in a hard-fought opening-round series. He went 127-112-21 as the Jackets' coach.

Richards had one year left on his contract.

Related Stories

What witnesses said about Trump, classified docs

• Apr 24, 4:58 PM

SCOTUS hears Trump claim of 'absolute immunity'

• Apr 25, 10:02 AM

Man kills wife, 3 kids in mass shooting: Police

• Apr 23, 12:35 PM

Massive injuries derailed Columbus' 2014-15 season, but the Jackets were expected to contend for a playoff spot this season.

Instead, they became just the sixth team to lose at least its first seven games in regulation in NHL history and the first since the 1997-98 Blackhawks, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Tortorella is the most successful American coach in NHL history, with 446 victories. Last month, he was named to lead the United States' entry in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.