The Columbus Blue Jackets fired head coach Dean Evason and assistant Steve McCarthy on Monday, replacing them with veteran Rick Bowness, who emerged from retirement at age 70. The team, sitting last in the Eastern Conference with a 19-19-7 record, is seven points out of a wild-card spot. Bowness aims to instill defensive structure during a crucial stretch of home games before the Olympic break.
The Columbus Blue Jackets made a bold move on Monday amid a frustrating season, dismissing head coach Dean Evason after his second year at the helm and hiring Rick Bowness to lead the team forward. Evason, 61, posted a 59-52-16 record in 127 games since his appointment on July 22, 2024. General manager Don Waddell described the decision as necessary, stating, “This season has been a frustrating one for all of us and the bottom line is we are not performing at a level that meets our expectations. We all share in that responsibility, me included.”
Evason's tenure was marked by challenges, including the tragic deaths of forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew on August 29, 2024, in a bicycle accident involving a suspected drunk driver indicted in December 2024. Last season, the Blue Jackets finished 40-33-9, just two points shy of the playoffs, but they have not qualified since 2019-20. This year, nine of their 26 losses (including overtime) came after holding a third-period lead, contributing to a minus-24 goal differential in the period. A pivotal moment was blowing a 4-1 lead in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 4.
Bowness, who retired from the Winnipeg Jets on May 6, 2024, after guiding them to back-to-back playoffs with a 98-57-9 mark in 164 games, accepted the offer while on his boat in Florida. He previously led the Dallas Stars to the 2020 Stanley Cup Final. With a career head-coaching record of 310-408-37 across 803 games, Bowness emphasized defense, saying, “You don’t score your way into the playoffs. You defend your way into the playoffs.” He believes the roster is better than its record suggests, despite injuries.
Players reacted positively. Center Sean Monahan, who played 34 games under Bowness last season, noted, “He coached to win games... A lot of fun to play for him.” Defenseman Zach Werenski added that the change signals Waddell's belief in the group. Captain Boone Jenner called it a “wake-up call,” expressing excitement for Bowness's new perspective. The Blue Jackets host the Calgary Flames on Tuesday at Nationwide Arena, beginning a stretch of seven home games in eight before the Olympic break.
