At 70 years old, Rick Bowness thought his NHL coaching days were behind him. But when the Columbus Blue Jackets came calling, something unexpected happened. He couldn't say no. Now, the veteran coach is back, and his return has sparked a wave of questions and excitement. But here's where it gets controversial: Can a coach of his age and experience truly turn around a struggling team like the Blue Jackets? And this is the part most people miss: Bowness isn’t just any coach—he’s a record-holder with over 2,700 NHL games under his belt. So, what’s different this time around?
Bowness was enjoying retirement in Florida, spending time with family and working for TNT, when Blue Jackets General Manager Don Waddell reached out. His wife, Judy, had been the one nudging him, asking, ‘What if someone calls?’ Little did they know, that call would come sooner than expected. After addressing health concerns that led to his initial retirement—including Judy’s seizure and his own medical procedure—Bowness felt rejuvenated. ‘I feel a whole lot better,’ he said. ‘Judy’s doing great. That opened the door again.’
The Blue Jackets were in a tough spot, sitting last in the Eastern Conference with a 19-19-7 record. Waddell saw this as a ‘critical point’ and believed Bowness was the perfect fit. ‘You won’t find anyone with more experience,’ Waddell said, highlighting Bowness’s accountability, structure, and communication skills. But is experience enough to fix a team struggling defensively? Bowness thinks so. He’s zeroing in on goals against, shots against, penalty kills, and defensive commitment—areas he believes are key to making a playoff push.
‘This isn’t the ’80s,’ Bowness pointed out. ‘You don’t score your way into the playoffs; you defend your way in.’ Bold statement? Absolutely. In an era where offense often steals the spotlight, Bowness is doubling down on defense. But can he get the players to buy in? That’s the million-dollar question. He’s not just making tweaks; he’s planning structural changes to turn the team around.
Bowness isn’t looking beyond this season. ‘All that matters right now is this year,’ he said. ‘Next year will take care of itself.’ This focus on the present is refreshing, but it also raises questions: Is this a short-term fix, or could Bowness stick around longer? Waddell plans to reassess at the end of the season, but for now, the goal is clear: get the Blue Jackets back in the playoff race.
Here’s the controversial part: Bowness’s approach is old-school, but the NHL is a young man’s game. Can his methods resonate with today’s players? And if they don’t, is it the players’ fault, or is Bowness out of touch? Let’s discuss in the comments—do you think Bowness can lead the Blue Jackets to success, or is this a recipe for disappointment?
One thing’s for sure: Rick Bowness is back, and whether you love it or hate it, his return is one of the most intriguing storylines of the season. Will he prove the doubters wrong? Only time will tell.
