Blue Jackets Surge Under New Coach Bowness

Columbus team goes on 10-1-0 run since coaching change, but still has room for improvement

Feb. 6, 2026 at 9:55am

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The Columbus Blue Jackets have seen a dramatic turnaround since replacing head coach Dean Evason with veteran Rick Bowness in mid-January. Under Bowness, the team has gone 10-1-0, including a seven-game winning streak that has them on the edge of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. However, Bowness believes the team can still improve in several key areas as they head into the Olympic break.

Why it matters

The Blue Jackets' resurgence under Bowness has been remarkable, as the team was previously sinking towards the bottom of the standings. Their ability to turn things around so quickly has given the team and its fans renewed hope for a potential playoff berth. Bowness' defensive-minded approach has paid dividends, but he sees room for the offense to get going as well.

The details

Bowness has emphasized a focus on defense and team structure since taking over, leading to dramatic improvements in goals against, shots against, and the penalty kill. The team has also been much better at protecting leads in the third period. However, Bowness believes the Blue Jackets can still clean up some of the defensive-zone breakdowns and odd-man rushes they are allowing. Offensively, several key players like Adam Fantilli, Boone Jenner, and Dimitri Voronkov have been quiet lately, and Bowness wants to see them get going to complement the production from players like Charlie Coyle and Zach Werenski.

  • On January 12, Rick Bowness was hired as the new head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
  • Since Bowness took over, the Blue Jackets have gone 10-1-0, including a seven-game winning streak.
  • The Blue Jackets played their final game before the Olympic break on February 15.

The players

Rick Bowness

The 71-year-old veteran coach who was hired as the new head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets in mid-January.

Sean Monahan

The center who previously played under Bowness with the Winnipeg Jets and has been relied upon heavily by the new Blue Jackets coach.

Adam Fantilli

The Blue Jackets forward who has only scored one goal in the last 11 games, and is one of several key offensive players Bowness wants to see produce more.

Boone Jenner

The Blue Jackets forward who has also only scored one goal in the last 11 games, and is another key player Bowness wants to see contribute more offensively.

Zach Werenski

The Blue Jackets defenseman who has been one of the team's top offensive producers under Bowness.

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What they’re saying

“You watch them in practice and you watch them in the meal room … all those little details, I'm watching the groups and everything. You learn a lot about your team in those situations, and I've learned that they're a close group that cares about each other, and it starts with that. If you don't care about each other, the on-ice product itself is going to be affected.”

— Rick Bowness, Head Coach (The New York Times)

“They're a good group, and I really, really, really enjoy working with them. When I was out (retired), I missed that, just working with the players. And I just love this group.”

— Rick Bowness, Head Coach (The New York Times)

What’s next

The Blue Jackets will have several key practices during the Olympic break to allow Bowness to further implement his defensive system and look for ways to get the team's top offensive players going again. General manager Don Waddell will also be busy trying to sign pending free agents like Boone Jenner, Charlie Coyle, and Erik Gudbranson to new contracts before the trade deadline.

The takeaway

Rick Bowness has quickly instilled a defensive identity and winning culture in Columbus, but the Blue Jackets still have room to improve, especially on the offensive end. If Bowness can get the team's top scorers producing and the defense continues to tighten up, the Blue Jackets could be a dangerous team down the stretch and in the playoffs.