Columbus Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness re-signed after a viral postgame rant criticizing player effort. He will remain with the team through the 2026-27 season.
Key points
Rick Bowness re-signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
His contract extends through the 2026-27 season.
Bowness criticized player effort after a loss to the Capitals.
He led the team to a 21-11-5 record this season.
Bowness took over after Dean Evason's firing.
Mentioned in this story
Rick BownessDean Evason
Columbus Blue JacketsMetropolitan DivisionEastern Conference
Columbus Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness re-signed after rant. See reactions
It's been a roller-coaster week for the Blue Jackets and their fans.
After falling out of the playoff race and losing their final game against the Washington Capitals, Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness had a viral postgame tirade in which he called out his players' lack of effort and discussed a desire to change the organization's culture if he returned.
Two days later, Bowness agreed to a contract extension with the Blue Jackets through the 2026-27 season. Taking over as coach after Dean Evason's firing, Bowness led the Blue Jackets to a 21-11-5 record, taking the Blue Jackets from last place in the Eastern Conference to as high as the No. 2 seed in the Metropolitan Division.
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) warms up prior to the NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
Q&A
Why did Rick Bowness rant after the game against the Capitals?
Rick Bowness criticized his players for their lack of effort and expressed a desire to change the team's culture.
What is the duration of Rick Bowness's new contract with the Blue Jackets?
Rick Bowness's new contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets extends through the 2026-27 season.
How did the Blue Jackets perform under Rick Bowness this season?
Under Rick Bowness, the Blue Jackets achieved a record of 21-11-5, improving from last place to as high as the No. 2 seed in the Metropolitan Division.
What happened to the previous coach of the Blue Jackets, Dean Evason?
Dean Evason was fired before Rick Bowness took over as the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
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Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) warms up prior to the NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
Fans watch Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) warm up prior to the NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) joke around during warm ups prior to the NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) takes the ice for the NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Mason Marchment (17) lines up for a faceoff during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Mason Marchment (17) shoots in front of Washington Capitals defenseman Dylan McIlrath (52) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
Columbus Blue Jackets center Charlie Coyle (3) skates around Washington Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun (6) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
A fans holds paper faces of Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
Columbus Blue Jackets center Cole Sillinger (4) passes around Washington Capitals center Justin Sourdif (34) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
Washington Capitals left wing Ivan Miroshnichenko (63) falls in front of Columbus Blue Jackets center Charlie Coyle (3) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
A fan holds a sign for Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves (73) saves a shot in front of defenseman Denton Mateychuk (5) during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Kirill Marchenko (86) skates around Washington Capitals right wing Anthony Beauvillier (72) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
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Alex Ovechkin highlights from game against Columbus Blue Jackets
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) warms up prior to the NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
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Alex Ovechkin highlights from game against Columbus Blue Jackets
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) warms up prior to the NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
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Alex Ovechkin highlights from game against Columbus Blue Jackets
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) warms up prior to the NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
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Alex Ovechkin highlights from game against Columbus Blue Jackets
Fans watch Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) warm up prior to the NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
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Highlights from Blue Jackets final game against Alex Ovechkin, Capitals
Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) joke around during warm ups prior to the NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
5 / 14
Alex Ovechkin highlights from game against Columbus Blue Jackets
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) takes the ice for the NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
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Highlights from Blue Jackets final game against Alex Ovechkin, Capitals
Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Mason Marchment (17) lines up for a faceoff during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
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Highlights from Blue Jackets final game against Alex Ovechkin, Capitals
Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Mason Marchment (17) shoots in front of Washington Capitals defenseman Dylan McIlrath (52) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
8 / 14
Highlights from Blue Jackets final game against Alex Ovechkin, Capitals
Columbus Blue Jackets center Charlie Coyle (3) skates around Washington Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun (6) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
9 / 14
Alex Ovechkin highlights from game against Columbus Blue Jackets
A fans holds paper faces of Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
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Highlights from Blue Jackets final game against Alex Ovechkin, Capitals
Columbus Blue Jackets center Cole Sillinger (4) passes around Washington Capitals center Justin Sourdif (34) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
11 / 14
Highlights from Blue Jackets final game against Alex Ovechkin, Capitals
Washington Capitals left wing Ivan Miroshnichenko (63) falls in front of Columbus Blue Jackets center Charlie Coyle (3) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
12 / 14
Alex Ovechkin highlights from game against Columbus Blue Jackets
A fan holds a sign for Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
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Highlights from Blue Jackets final game against Alex Ovechkin, Capitals
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves (73) saves a shot in front of defenseman Denton Mateychuk (5) during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
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Highlights from Blue Jackets final game against Alex Ovechkin, Capitals
Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Kirill Marchenko (86) skates around Washington Capitals right wing Anthony Beauvillier (72) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 14, 2026.
Despite the high hopes, the Blue Jackets finished the season with a 3-9-1 record in their last 13 games. Needing to earn points to challenge the Flyers for the final playoff spot, the Blue Jackets lost 3-2 to the Boston Bruins in regulation. The Flyers won in overtime against the Hurricanes on April 14, clinching the spot and eliminating the Blue Jackets from the playoffs before their season finale.
See analysis and fan reactions about Rick Bowness' postgame rant and eventual contract extension below.
