April 15 (UPI) — Columbus Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness slighted his players after a season-ending loss, saying they “don’t care” and aren’t bothered by losing.
Bowness, who was hired to replace fired coach Dean Evason in January, also cited a perceived lack of effort from the Blue Jackets during their 2-1 loss to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday in Columbus, Ohio.
The Blue Jackets totaled just three hits and logged 23 giveaways, compared to the Capitals’ 14 hits and 13 giveaways. They held a 1-0 lead after a score from forward Boone Jenner just 27 seconds into the second period, but failed to score again.
“I don’t know if I’m back, but if I’m back, I’m changing this culture,” Bowness told reporters. “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?”
The Blue Jackets (40-30-12) ended their season in 11th place in the Eastern Conference and fifth in the Metropolitan Division. They were five points back of the second wild card slot, which went to the Ottawa Senators (43-27-11).
“This is why we are where we are,” Bowness said. “This is why we are out of the playoffs: That kind of effort. You have to hate losing. I don’t care if it’s a meaningless game. I don’t care. Show up and compete.”
Forward Anthony Beauvillier tied the score for the Capitals midway through the second period. Defenseman Jakob Chyrchrun provided what proved to be the game-winning score with 4:07 remaining, giving the Blue Jackets their ninth loss of their final 11 games. That skid included six consecutive home losses to end the season.
“If they’re not embarrassed by tonight, by that, they’re on the wrong team,” Bowness said.
Bowness said he needs to speak with Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell, when asked if he wanted to return next season. He told reporters that he informed the players that he will change the culture, if he does return. He also said they were “so lucky the season’s over” and there is no practice tomorrow.
“We have got great fans here,” Bowness said. “They deserve better than that. Love the fanbase. Love the enthusiasm. Love the city. They’ve got a lot of good things going here.
“We are not putting up with that.”
The Winnipeg Jets went 39-32-11 in 2021-22 before Bowness took over as coach of that squad. They went on to win 46 games a season later. They won 52 games in 2023-24 before Bowness retired.
Bowness also helped several other franchises steadily improve during previous coaching tenures.
The Blue Jackets were 19-19-7 when they fired Evason. They went 21-11-5 under Bowness, but failed to advance to the postseason for the sixth consecutive year.
“He was so good for us,” Jenner said, when asked about Bowness. “Right when he came in, the perspective the approach that he brings, the knowledge of the game. He knows how to get guys to buy in in the team game. He’s been great for us.
“It’s not the game plan or anything like that. It’s us in the room and how much we are willing to give and sacrifice to get the job done. And we came up short. There’s not much else to say.”
The NHL playoffs will start Saturday. The Stanley Cup Final will begin early June.
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