Report: Rick Bowness to return as Blue Jackets coach

Despite a disastrous end, and a spirited message, there doesn’t look to be much changing behind the bench in Ohio’s capital.

According to a report from The Athletic, Rick Bowness will be returning as the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the 2026-27 season. With that, Bowness will be receiving a new contract, though terms have yet to be announced.

Bowness came out of retirement back on Jan. 12, taking over for the recently fired Dean Evason, seemingly put in charge to navigate the bottom-dwelling Blue Jackets through tough waters for the end of the season.

However, despite taking over with the team near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, Bowness helped guide Columbus to an impressive turnaround. After playing .500 hockey under Evason, the Blue Jackets went 19-3-4 in Bowness’ first 26 games on the job, not only putting the team in playoff contention, but a potential top-three spot in the Metropolitan Division.

The good times didn’t last, though, as Columbus stumbled in the final three weeks, going 2-8-1, missing the final Wild Card spot by seven points, and extending the franchise’s playoff drought to six seasons.

The shocking slide led Bowness to call out his players after the season ended. After losing to the Washington Capitals in the Blue Jackets’ final game of year on Tuesday night, the 71-year-old bench boss made his frustrations known.

“I don’t know if I’m back, but if I’m back, I’m changing this culture,” Bowness said. “These guys, they don’t care. Losing is not important enough to them. It doesn’t bother them…How can you go out and play like that? Should have done this about a month ago, but this is why we are where we are. This is why we’re out of the playoffs, that kind of effort. Losing, you have to hate losing. I don’t care if it’s a meaningless game.”

Many thought the criticism would be enough for the Blue Jackets to go in a different direction. However, general manager Don Waddell seems content with keeping the veteran coach on board, at least to start next fall.