The Columbus Blue Jackets have exploded out of the gate in 2026 with organizational moves with the full intent of keeping the hungry leadership wanting to return postseason hockey to central Ohio for the first time in the decade.
Closing 2025, we saw the addition of Mason Marchment, before the injury, score goals in bunches, and the honoring of first rounder Yegor Chinakov being shipped to a divisional rival for the best available package.
Some management has departed for a reunion with the former manager in Buffalo with Kekalainen. Others were just part of the competition in the tight Eastern Conference playoff race. Latest to move on is coaches Dean Evason and Steve McCarthy.
Rick Bowness, nicknamed “Bones” is the new bench boss and makes his debut tonight at home in the “Johnny Hockey Bowl” against the Calgary Flames.
Bowness is 310-408-37 with 48 ties in 803 games as an NHL head coach with the Jets, Stars, Phoenix Coyotes, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins. While not a so great overall record, he had the 2020 Stars that lost to Tampa in the cup finals. He also had the Jets that lost their coach Paul Maurice. Bowness stepped away from the game in 2024 due to a known illness impacting his spouse.
The last time a Jets coach came east, there was glory. Maurice in Florida has 2 cups and has only been positive to Winnipeg. Bowness was part of both Jets organizations and has been only positive to the organization. While only being under contract for the remainder of the season, it does leave the thought and worry of who might be the next coach this calendar year while only 13 days into 2026.
Bowness on joining Columbus
“I appreciate the opportunity to come to Columbus because it is a good organization with good people and this is a team that I think I can help improve. I’m thankful to Don and Mike Priest, and I’m really excited to work with our players and coaching staff to help get us where we want to go.”
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