John Tortorella will not return as coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, a source told ESPN on Saturday night.

There had been heavy speculation in recent weeks that Tortorella's six-season tenure with the Blue Jackets would come to an end. He doesn't have a contract for next season and Columbus finished in last place in the Central Division with an 18-26-12 record (.429 points percentage).

"It was awful. I'm not even sure if we won two games in a row. I know we didn't win three in a row," Tortorella said. "This one was a kick in the teeth for me. I struggle with it."