Columbus Blue Jackets: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Rick Bowness Returns as Blue Jackets’ Head Coach: 'I Want to Win Here'

The Columbus Blue Jackets were fresh off their day of exit interviews. The reality of how the end of their season was still fresh in everyone’s minds. To a man, most everyone within the organization believes they should be getting ready for playoff hockey.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Blue Jackets’ Don Waddell shuts down Kent Johnson trade speculation

The Columbus Blue Jackets are still reeling from the end of their 2025-26 season. Much has been said about head coach Rick Bowness ripping into his players after a loss to the Washington Capitals.

Rick Bowness News / NHL on ClutchPoints / April 16

Blue Jackets’ Rick Bowness has no regrets after ripping players following Capitals loss

The Columbus Blue Jackets lost their final game of the 2025-26 NHL season. It was a close loss according to the 2-1 final. However, head coach Rick Bowness ripped into his players following the game for what he considered to be a lack of effort and care.

Alexander Ovechkin News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NHL franchise scoring leaders' quiz

How many of the players with the most career goals for every NHL franchise can you name in five minutes?

The 'NHL all-time goals leaders' quiz

The 'Active 100-point NHL seasons' quiz

The 'NHL Maurice Richard Trophy winners' quiz

NHL News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest rookie seasons in NHL history

There have been successful rookie seasons in NHL history, and there have been superior efforts worth celebrating time and time again. Here's our list of the 25 notable seasons from those with official rookie status, as deemed by the NHL, in reverse chronological order.

Rick Bowness News / NHL Trade Talk / April 16

Bowness Gets New Deal with Blue Jackets After Tirade

“I don’t know if I’m back (as coach next season),” Rick Bowness said while he appeared to be holding back more emotion than he was clearly showing after another ugly performance.

Rick Bowness News / Daily Faceoff / April 16

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.

Rick Bowness News / Field Level Media / April 16

Report: Rick Bowness agrees to extension with Blue Jackets

Rick Bowness has agreed to a contract extension to remain as the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, TSN reported Thursday morning. The Blue Jackets scheduled a news conference for Thursday afternoon with general manager Don Waddell and Bowness.

Rick Bowness News / Pro Hockey Rumors / April 16

Rick Bowness speaks out after getting new contract with Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets have agreed to an extension with head coach Rick Bowness.

Columbus Blue Jackets' losing culture is becoming major problem

Bowness’ frustration with Blue Jackets’ effort is understandable

Craig Berube expects to return as Leafs coach in 2026-27

Craig Berube completely failed in his mandate to change, elevate talented Leafs squad

Zach Aston-Reese News / Pro Hockey Rumors / April 16

Blue Jackets Reassign Zach Aston-Reese, Luca Del Bel Belluz

The Blue Jackets have reassigned forwards Zach Aston-Reese and Luca Del Bel Belluz to AHL Cleveland, per a team announcement. While Columbus isn’t a part of the postseason picture, their minor-league feeder is, so the duo will be able to get some playoff action in after all.

Columbus Blue Jackets News / NHL on ClutchPoints / April 16

Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski breaks silence on scathing Rick Bowness call out

The Columbus Blue Jackets were called out by head coach Rick Bowness after a crushing loss to end their season. Columbus was already eliminated from playoff contention heading into the game.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Multiple 200 three-pointer seasons' quiz

The 'Most 25-PPG NBA seasons' quiz

The 'Three-point leaders by NBA season' quiz

The 'Five 3's off the bench games' quiz

NHL News / Yardbarker / April 15

Columbus Blue Jackets' losing culture is becoming major problem

It can be very difficult to get a sense for the mood around a team unless you are actually in their locker room every day and seeing things up close and personal. But sometimes there are hints and clues when an environment has turned rotten, and the Columbus Blue Jackets are showing a lot of them.

‘Losing doesn’t bother them’: Blue Jackets coach Bowness slams team as their season ends

Bowness’ frustration with Blue Jackets’ effort is understandable

Blackhawks sign GM Kyle Davidson to contract extension

The NHL’s offseason chaos index: Who could shake up the league?

The '1976-77 Montreal Canadiens' quiz

Rick Bowness News / Daily Faceoff / April 15

Bowness’ frustration with Blue Jackets’ effort is understandable

Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness didn’t hold back following the team’s 2-1 loss to the Washington Capitals Tuesday night. “All you got to do is look at the stat sheet.

Rick Bowness News / NHL Trade Talk / April 15

Will the Blue Jackets Support Rick Bowness After Post-Game Tirade?

“If I’m back, I’m changing this culture,” said Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness on Tuesday night. Clearly emotional and unsure if the organization was going to re-up his contract for next season, Bowness didn’t care.

Rick Bowness News / Daily Faceoff / April 14

‘Losing doesn’t bother them’: Blue Jackets coach Bowness slams team as their season ends

With the season now in the rearview mirror, Rick Bowness wasted no time calling out his players. In the wake of a 2-1 loss to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, the Columbus Blue Jackets head coach spoke on the team and the culture problems surrounding them to close out the year.

Alexander Ovechkin News / Yardbarker / April 14

Alex Ovechkin has tongue-in-cheek response to question about future

Capitals' Alex Ovechkin offers tongue-in-cheek response to question about his future

Washington Capitals left winger Alex Ovechkin keeps ducking questions about retirement.

Mammoth hold off Jets, secure West's No. 1 wild card

Avalanche down Flames, tie franchise's season mark for points

Utah Mammoth clinch first Western Conference wild-card seed

Rasmus Ristolainen finally gets to play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs

Bruins to face Sabres, Senators to face Hurricanes in Round 1 of playoffs

Columbus Blue Jackets News / The Hockey Writers / April 14

Blue Jackets’ PA Announcer Greg Murray Set to Call His Final Game

If you’ve ever attended a Blue Jackets’ game at Nationwide Arena, there was always one familiar voice that greeted fans. Assuming the team got at least one power play that night, the catch phrase “Jackets on the POWER PLAY” would stick with you from that night on.

Columbus Blue Jackets News / EasySportz / April 14

Columbus Blue Jackets Eliminated from Playoff Contention

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The climb stalled before it ever truly took shape. The Columbus Blue Jackets were eliminated from Stanley Cup Playoffs contention this week, closing the book on another season defined more by growing pains than meaningful progress.

Columbus Blue Jackets News / Pro Hockey Rumors / April 13

Blue Jackets Sign Boston Buckberger

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed two-time NCAA national champion defenseman Boston Buckberger to a two-year, entry-level contract. The deal will start next season.