Columbus Blue Jackets: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Blue Jackets Fans Reach Breaking Point After Yet Another Failed Season

The sweep against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The win in the bubble against the Toronto Maple Leafs. In a quarter century of Columbus Blue Jackets hockey, that is it when it comes to postseason series wins for this franchise.

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The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Bowness Locked In, Now the Blue Jackets Face UFA/RFA Decisions

The first order of offseason business is complete. Shortly after the Columbus Blue Jackets' disappointing last game of the season, summing up a brutal past couple of weeks for the team in their bid for the playoffs, president and general manager Don Waddell made sure to extend head coach Rick Bowness through the 2026-27 season.

Rick Bowness News / The Hockey Writers / April 17

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.

Columbus Blue Jackets News / NHL on ClutchPoints / April 16

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.

Sidney Crosby News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Stanley Cup Playoff hat-tricks' quiz

There have been 54 players to record multiple hat tricks in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the NHL's Modern Era (since 1967-68) can you name in six minutes?

The 'NHL hat-trick leaders since 2000-01' quiz

The 'Most 30-goal NHL seasons' quiz

The 'NHL franchise scoring leaders' 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 / 1st Ohio Battery / April 16

Quotables: Five Takeaways From Thursday's Press Conference Announcing Rick Bowness Will Return Next Season As Head Coach

That was quick. Less than 48 hours after the regular season came to a disappointing end for the Columbus Blue Jackets, the club announced Thursday that Rick Bowness will return as head coach next season.

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

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

The 'Most NBA-debut points by NBA team' quiz

The 'Multiple 200 three-pointer seasons' quiz

The 'Most 25-PPG NBA seasons' quiz

The 'Three-point leaders by NBA season' quiz

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.

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.

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 / Daily Faceoff / April 13

Columbus Blue Jackets eliminated from playoff contention

After a valiant run spanning most of the second half of the season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have officially been eliminated from contention for a spot in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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.