Post-Mortem: Rick Bowness Was Right To Call Out The Columbus Blue Jackets

For a solid stretch of this season, the Columbus Blue Jackets looked like they would end their five-year Stanley Cup playoff drought.

When coach Rick Bowness replaced Dean Evason on Jan. 12, the Blue Jackets were last in the Eastern Conference. By March 21, they were in a playoff spot following an 18-2-4 run.

But the Blue Jackets blew it, once again disappointing their long-suffering fan base.

The way the Jackets ended their season – going 2-8-1 in their final 11 games – Columbus coach Rick Bowness decided to send shots across the bow to his players.

Blue Jackets Coach Rick Bowness Rips Into Team After Season Finale

Rick Bowness said some of the Columbus Blue Jackets' players are so lucky there's no practice tomorrow after a 2-1 loss to end the season.

What's Next For The Blue Jackets?

Werenski said his teammates actually do hate to lose, unlike what Bowness suggested. But he did back the coach.

"We need to learn how to win, and I definitely think he can help us with that," Werenski told reporters Wednesday.

Regardless of whether they made the playoffs this year, the Blue Jackets were always likely to face notable change and roster turnover this summer.

They have seven pending UFAs, including captain Boone Jenner, Charlie Coyle, Mason Marchment, Danton Heinen and Erik Gudbranson.

Greaves is an RFA with arbitration rights who will get a huge raise on the $812,500 he earned this season.

But Jackets GM Don Waddell has about $39.3 million in salary cap space this off-season – so even if he brings back a couple UFAs and gets Greaves' signature on a team-friendly long-term contract extension, he's going to have more than enough space to be a major player in trades and free agency.

There should be absolutely no excuses why that doesn't happen for Columbus this summer. Waddell has all three of his first-round draft picks in the next three drafts, and parting ways with one of them to acquire the type of proven veteran help the organization desperately needs will not damage the Jackets.

It's time for Columbus to convert some of its prospect base and draft capital into players with winning pedigrees. Because, for the second straight season, the Blue Jackets have been the dictionary definition of a mushy middle team – not good enough to earn a playoff spot and not bad enough to get an elite prospect in the draft. That has to change right away.

Ultimately, though, Bowness made it readily apparent that the biggest change for the Blue Jackets must be the team's culture.

Bowness said he'll have to talk to Waddel about whether he returns. If he does come back, he made it clear the status quo will not be what the team settles for under his direction next year.

And there's little doubt Jackets fans are similarly exasperated.

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This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 3:18 PM.