Columbus posted a record of 173-190-59 during Scott Howson’s (right) tenure as its GM. (Getty Images)

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The Columbus Blue Jackets announced on Tuesday evening that they have fired general manager Scott Howson.

Howson had been in charge of the club since 2007 and during his watch compiled a 173-190-59 record. The highlight was the 2008-09 season when the team made its first and only playoff appearance but failed to win a game while being swept in the opening round of the Western Conference by the Detroit Red Wings.

It's been all downhill ever since for Columbus and the team finished last season with the worst record in the NHL. Things haven't been much better this season as the Blue Jackets are once again at the bottom of the Central Division with a 4-7-2 record through 10 games.

"Scott Howson is a caring man who gave everything he had to the Columbus Blue Jackets over the past six years,” said team president John Davidson in a statement. “This was a difficult decision but one that I thought was in the best interest of moving our hockey club forward. I have enjoyed working with Scott and want to thank him for his service."

Some of the most notable roster moves by the Blue Jackets over the past two years were the trade of Rick Nash to the New York Rangers this summer, and the series of transactions last summer that saw the team acquire defenseman James Wisniewski and center Jeff Carter. The Carter transaction never worked out from the start. Not only did the Blue Jackets trade Jakub Voracek and a top-10 pick for him (which the Flyers used on Sean Couturier), but less than five months later the Blue Jackets turned around and traded Carter to Los Angeles for defenseman Jack Johnson.

Given the on-ice results, the Blue Jackets were probably long overdue for a new direction, and with Davidson calling the shots they have a chance to start over with a clean slate.

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