Blue Jackets' Turnaround Under Bowness Sparks Jack Adams Buzz

Columbus has surged up the standings since Bowness took over as head coach in January.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 5:53pm

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The Columbus Blue Jackets have undergone a remarkable turnaround since Rick Bowness took over as head coach just over two months ago. Under Bowness, the Blue Jackets have gone 18-2-4, climbing from the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings to third place in the Metropolitan Division and firmly in playoff position.

Why it matters

Bowness's ability to quickly transform the struggling Blue Jackets into a winning team has put him in the conversation for the Jack Adams Award, given annually to the NHL's coach of the year. His impressive winning percentage and the team's dramatic rise in the standings have made him a leading candidate, despite not coaching the first three months of the season.

The details

When Bowness was hired in January, the Blue Jackets were tied for the fewest points in the Eastern Conference with a 19-19-7 record. But under his leadership, the team has gone on a tear, going 18-2-4 in 24 games. Their current record of 37-21-11 has them in third place in the Metropolitan Division, two points ahead of the New York Islanders for the final playoff spot in the East.

  • Bowness was hired as Blue Jackets head coach in January 2026.
  • In 24 games under Bowness, the Blue Jackets have gone 18-2-4.
  • Prior to Bowness's arrival, the Blue Jackets had a 19-19-7 record.

The players

Rick Bowness

The head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who has led the team on a remarkable turnaround since taking over in January.

Dean Evason

The former head coach of the Blue Jackets, who was replaced by Bowness in January.

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What’s next

Bowness will look to continue the Blue Jackets' strong play and secure a playoff spot in the final weeks of the regular season. His performance will be closely watched as he makes his case for the Jack Adams Award.

The takeaway

Rick Bowness has engineered one of the most impressive in-season turnarounds in recent NHL history, transforming the struggling Blue Jackets into a playoff contender in just over two months. His ability to quickly get the team on track has put him in the running for the Jack Adams Award and shown his coaching prowess.