Bowness Gets New Deal with Blue Jackets After Tirade

James Guillory-Imagn Images

Bowness Gets New Deal with Blue Jackets After Tirade

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | Last updated Apr 16, 2026 2:36 PM ET

“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. “But if I’m back, I’m changing this culture.”

Well, he’s back. The Columbus Blue Jackets are offering the coach an extension, even though details of the new deal’s term were not disclosed.

GM Don Waddell heard Bowness’s rant and supported his coach. Bowness wasn’t thrilled with his team’s effort level, saying, “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? I 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.”

He later walked back the comments slightly, saying he knew they cared, but they just didn’t show it.

Waddell Explained the Reason For Retaining Bowness

Bowness and Don Waddell met with the media at 2 pm Eastern time. Waddell said: “Rick has done an outstanding job since his arrival and it was obvious to all of us that he is the right person to lead our club as head coach. Rick developed strong relationships with our players who will continue to benefit greatly from his leadership as we look to learn from the hard lessons of this season and work towards our goal of competing for a Stanley Cup.”

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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