Columbus Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness is stepping aside on a day-to-day basis due to health concerns, Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell announced Saturday.
Bowness, 71, missed Thursday’s 3-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning because he was “under the weather,” the club said. He also wasn’t on the ice for practice Friday, as the Blue Jackets prepared for a home game Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Waddell said Bowness will not travel with the team Monday as he undergoes additional testing, but could join the trip later, depending on the test’s results.
“(Bowness) was here actually this morning. That’s a good sign. He was here for a little bit with the coaches. Until we know more, he’s listed like a player, day to day,” Waddell said.
Assistant coach Don Granato, who assumed Bowness’ duties Thursday, will remain in that position indefinitely. Granato said he and Bowness communicated “all day yesterday” and Saturday morning.
“You know him, he’s a passionate guy. He’s one of the biggest reasons I was excited to be part of this organization. It was Bones, and the passion he brings, and obviously his history and knowledge of the game,” Granato said.
This marks the second time in the past four seasons that Bowness has stepped away from his post over a medical issue. In March 2024, while coaching the Winnipeg Jets, Bowness missed four games due to a “minor medical procedure.” Earlier that season, he missed a month when he stepped aside after his wife, Judy, suffered a seizure.
“Obviously, our thoughts are with him and his family, and we want him to get better and come back to us and get back to the things he loves, and that’s coaching and being in front of us,” defenseman Dante Fabbro said. “He’s got our full respect.”
It has been a star-crossed ride for Bowness in Columbus.
When he took over the club last January, after Dean Evason was fired, the Blue Jackets improved dramatically, becoming the hottest club in the NHL and playing their way back into the playoff race. A 19-3-4 run pushed them to fifth place in the Eastern Conference and second place in the Metropolitan Division, behind only eventual Stanley Cup winner Carolina.
Bowness was mentioned as a potential Jack Adams Trophy winner as coach of the year, even though he’d been behind the Blue Jackets’ bench for less than half a season. However, a 2-8-1 finish quelled that discussion and knocked the Blue Jackets out of a playoff spot, the sixth straight season they failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Bowness was so frustrated by the Blue Jackets’ finish to the season, not to mention their half-hearted effort in a season-ending loss to Washington, that he lashed out at the players after the game, questioning their desire to win and vowing to change the dressing room’s culture. Bowness then signed a one-year contract to return to the team.
The players have not been receptive, and the losing that spoiled last season has dragged into this season. The Blue Jackets are 7-10-0 and have lost three straight games heading into Saturday’s game versus the Flyers. The Blue Jackets have won only two games all season in regulation, tied with San Jose and ahead of only Vancouver (one).
Bowness has been an NHL head coach for 857 games, beginning with the Winnipeg Jets in 1989. He also had stops with the Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, New York Islanders, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets.
“He came in last year and really made an (impact) on us, and we had a really good run. So, I was kind of looking to turn that tide again, and obviously, when he’s not here, it’s just weird for sure,” defenseman Damon Severson said. “I just missed him this morning at the rink, but I’ve texted with him, just wishing him the best. I told him it’s hard to keep our tough Canadian blood down, so he’ll be back, I’m sure, soon enough. I just hope he’s doing well.”
Source: www.nytimes.com
