Bowness to talk to GM about coaching future — The Fourth Period
The Columbus Blue Jackets finished the 2025-26 season winning just two of their last 10 games, missing the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season.
Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness voiced his disappointment and displeasure with his team’s performance down the stretch following their final game of the season, which they lost 2-1 to the Washington Capitals.
“You have to hate losing. I don’t care if it’s a meaningless game. I don’t care. Show up and compete,” he told reporters after Tuesday’s game.
“I don’t know if I’m back, but if I’m back I’m changing this culture. These guys, they don’t care. Losing is not important enough to them, it doesn’t bother them.”
Bowness, who replaced Dean Evason mid-season behind the bench in Columbus, is signed through June 30. While it seems like he is interested in returning next season, he indicated that “Don and I will talk” about his future in the near future.
The Blue Jackets jumped back into playoff contention under Bowness, but fell apart in the final two weeks of the season.
