Blue Jackets fire Evason, hire Bowness

[Boss Man Hughes]

Bowness can play defense and coach

He can barely get out of bed.

 

[bov]

I like Bowness. Smart of Columbus to make above now while they have time to salvage the season.

 

[Ghost of Murph]

Bowness is a great coach and by all accounts a gem of a human being. Not sure if he will be the right fit in Columbus but I hope he is successful.

 

[dllb]

Now, have Bowness fix the defensive system, trade Jenner, Coyle & Marchment at TDL for picks and find a coach who builds instead of one that has "all the answers".

And one who won't play bottom 6 "character" guys in the top 6, won't put prospects (w/ top 6 potential) in the bottom 6 to learn how to play "the right way". I get it, those bangers with intangibles will play better and win more than some 1st or 2nd year rookie; and it would save the GM/Coach's job. But when you don't develop the players you draft ... well, that's not a "team", it's a product. Every coach in CBJ history has done this, and it's the reason why this franchise can't get its act together, can't develop players and is mediocre at best.

I think this sucks, but where Dean was going; gagging & swallowing was sure to follow.

 

[Drake1588]

Evason had to go, but Bowness is an interesting choice for a young team that needs development.

I wonder how much of this is simply jumping on a great coach who happens to be available, and interested, versus identifying the right coach for the roster you've got. It'll be interesting to see if they expect this team to adapt and play his style, or if they go out and reshape the roster to suit his teams' usual style of play.

 

[Halakitlikethat]

Surprised at this one. Although I did think CBJ would be good this year. I had them getting into the playoffs.

 

[BelovedIsles]

Love Bowness; knowledgeable and down to earth—likable guy.

 

[SML2]

I know who we can bring in to get this young group going... 70 yr old Rick Bowness!!!


Dude's back in the day stories were before these players parents were born.

 

[Son of Petter]

No league is more averse to giving young people a shot at coaching or GMing. In the NFL teams are so worried about the people they develop getting poached that new people are getting a shot all the time. In the NHL you can be proven to not be effective anymore and still get a call back. It’s crazy to witness.

 

[serp]

Bones is a hockey junkie. He just can't quit it. That's not even an attractive gig to take but he just can't stop . Not forever

 

[jetsforever]

Can't believe Bowness is back but good for him!

 

[majormajor]

In the NHL you can be proven to not be effective anymore and still get a call back. It’s crazy to witness.

Bowness won 52 games as recently as 2024. Whatever you're yammering on about it isn't Bowness.

 

[Rebels57]

Bowness, another boomer that didnt develop any hobbies outside of work.

Sucks for Columbus.

 

[banks]

I don't know if Bowness is the answer, just like I don't know if Evason was the problem.

But I do know Columbus fans deserve better that what they're getting. I've got a soft spot for the Jackets. I wish they found more success.

 

[Armourboy]

I said when they hired Evason he wouldn't last long, he's just not a good head coach. He was hired out of Milwaukee by Minnesota, and he wasn't even good there, so I've never figured out why anyone thought he would be any good at the NHL level. Everyone that was a Preds fan jumped for joy when we found out he was gone.

 

[ffh]

should have kept babcock. yes the players would hate him but you'd be in the playoffs.

 

[SC Cannon]

should have kept babcock. yes the players would hate him but you'd be in the playoffs.

Don't think that was really an option after all the bs.

 

[MoeBartoli]

should have kept babcock. yes the players would hate him but you'd be in the playoffs.

Sure - and the beatings will continue until morale improves.

 

[kanucks25]

Bowness, another boomer that didnt develop any hobbies outside of work.

Sucks for Columbus.

Everybody got they thing
Some [people] make millions, other [people] make memes

 

[Nikolajs Sillers]

They need Tortorella. Oh wait...

 

[DFC]

I kind of love that Rick Bowness just never gives up on the dream.

 

[Howie Meeker]

You've gotta assume Bowness is interim just to close out this lost season. They'll no doubt be looking for a long term solution over the summer.

This is it. Veteran hand on the wheel. Easily dispensible after the season.

 

[Howie Meeker]

Wut. I remember this dude coaching my islanders when I was 6 years old in like ‘95.

Also, he needs to get Kent Johnson to pull his head out of his ass, for fantasy purposes.

He might be the one to work with Fantilli and Johnson. He has nothing to prove and no hidden agenda.

 

[Hank Chinaski]

Some of the takes in this thread are just embarrassing. Very good reminder that many people on here don’t have a f***ing clue what’s going on beyond the team they follow.

Good hire for CBJ. Don’t expect a long shelf life, but he will squeeze a lot of Ws out in the short term.

 

[periferal]