\n\tThe quick one-year extension might have, in part, had something to do with the way Bowness got everyone talking about his animated postgame press conference after Tuesday’s 2-1 loss to the Washington Capitals. Or rather, the things Bowness said during the press conference.\n<\/p>\n
\n\tThroughout Bowness’ brief Blue Jackets coaching tenure, the veteran coach typically brimmed with smiles, positivity, and that cool grandfatherly vibe as he guided his team from last in the Eastern Conference in January to second place in the Metropolitan Division by late March.\n<\/p>\n
\n\tBut as things got harder down the stretch, the\u00a0struggles compounded and the losses piled up.\n<\/p>\n
\n\tBowness, still measured in his press conferences through the end of the season, was not short on the issues affecting his club. Things quickly\u00a0turned to a more pointed\u00a0put up or shut up mentality if the team\u00a0wanted to get to where they constantly talked of getting to: the postseason.\n<\/p>\n
\n\tInstead of doing the talking on the ice, the team faded down the stretch, missing the playoffs for the sixth straight year.\n<\/p>\n
\n\tIt was likely a combustible combination of the way that last game played out, the team’s 0-5-1 mark in their final six home games, and the reality that the season was officially over for Bowness to erupt in a way we had not seen since the 71-year-old took over in Columbus. Remember, this man was on his boat in Florida\u00a0the day before taking\u00a0the job and coaching the group to a win a day later. He clearly cares. He said all the things those in the fan base have felt for 25 years.\n<\/p>\n
\n\t\tFull comments from Rick Bowness frustrations. Some of the most candid remarks weve seen from any coach in #CBJ<\/a> history. pic.twitter.com\/siN1eUlWYQ<\/a>\n\t<\/p>\n \t\u2014 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) April 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \n\tIn-the-moment, from-the-heart, raw emotion spilling over\u00a0from the last game and final week-plus of games in which the Jackets went 2-7-1 down the stretch. The aftermath became a viral moment as the\u00a0Bowness press conference\u00a0got everyone talking about him and the Jackets, specifically the part of the rant in which he called out his team for not caring enough about losing.\n<\/p>\n \n\t\tRick Bowness didn’t hold back Tuesday night. #CBJ<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/P11YPBfxZ7<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/QWHWDwPgCJ<\/a>\n\t<\/p>\n \t\u2014 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) April 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \n\tBowness walked it back a tad a few moments later to say his players do care, but they need to prove it on the ice. The overall point resonated with the fanbase. Everyone around the country heard what Bowness had to say as all kinds of national radio markets and\u00a0affiliates played the sound. Bowness and the Blue Jackets might have been the most talked-about NHL team on Wednesday for that moment\u00a0alone. At least for a team in the U.S., not going\u00a0to the playoffs.\n<\/p>\n \n\tWhile the sentiment about not caring\u00a0and losing not being\u00a0important enough stung those players in the room, Bowness wasn’t wrong with what he said. It’s up to the players to answer the bell, and it’s up to Bowness to officially change the “freaking” culture as he promised he would do in Tuesday’s postgame press conference if he came back.\n<\/p>\n \n\tEven if players didn’t fully\u00a0agree with their coach’s\u00a0take about not caring enough, there was still a deeply defined respect and buy-in from players in Bowness. A critical reason why he’s coming back.\n<\/p>\n \n\t\tWerenski added that he understands Bones comments were in the heat of the moment, and that the two were fine when they spoke this morning. #CBJ<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/YefSbnkIWU<\/a>\n\t<\/p>\n \t\u2014 Ed Francis (@BlueJacketStats) April 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \n\tNow that the head coach is in place, among the next items on\u00a0Waddell’s to-do list is going through the Blue Jackets’ unrestricted and restricted free agents.\n<\/p>\n \n\t\t#CBJ<\/a> unrestricted free agents:<\/p>\n Zach Aston-Reese Restricted free agents: \t\u2014 Ed Francis (@BlueJacketStats) April 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \tCharlie Coyle (UFA)<\/p>\n \t \n\t\tJan 30, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Charlie Coyle (3) celebrates after scoring against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images\n\t<\/p>\n \n\tLast offseason might have felt underwhelming in the form of major player acquisitions, but Charlie Coyle was among the bigger additions for the Jackets, turning in the type of two-way play that might garner Selke nominations.\n<\/p>\n \n\tCoyle’s 58 points (20 goals, 38 assists) are the second most of his career \u2014 he\u00a0had 60 points in 2023-24. The 38 helpers tied a career high from 2016-17, and he\u00a0was among three Jackets to play all 82 games. As good a season as Coyle had, the 2025-26 season is the first in\u00a0his 14 NHL seasons in which he did not make the playoffs.\n<\/p>\n \n\tAn unrestricted free agent, Coyle was all in on Bowness returning as head coach, and maybe that will be enough for his own return to the team.\n<\/p>\n \n\t\tAsked about his status for next season, pending free agent Charlie Coyle was noncommittal but did allude to the fact that Rick Bowness potential return would have an impact.<\/p>\n I would love to keep working with Rick.<\/p>\n It would definitely be a big positive if he was here. #CBJ<\/a>\n\t<\/p>\n \t\u2014 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) April 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \tBoone Jenner (UFA)<\/p>\n \t \n\t\tFeb 18, 2019; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images\n\t<\/p>\n \n\tCaptain Boone Jenner represented\u00a0the longest tenured Blue Jacket on the roster this past season. Breaking into the league in 2013-14, Jenner has seen the highs for the Blue Jackets, reaching the playoffs in five of the franchise’s six appearances. His 37 career playoff games are\u00a0tied with David Savard for the most in franchise history,\u00a0and Jenner’s eight postseason goals are tied for second most in franchise history with Pierre-Luc Dubois.\n<\/p>\n \n\tJenner was named the seventh captain in franchise history on Oct. 12, 2021. Now facing uncertainty with his next contract, we might have seen Jenner’s last game as a member of the Blue Jackets, let alone as captain. If he were to return\u00a0to the team, he’s a bottom-six player. If he returns, it might be time to relinquish the ‘C.’\u00a0It might not be his choice either way.\n<\/p>\n \n\t\tCaptain Boone Jenner when asked about if hell be back next season: I’ll take some time here and speak with my family and my agent and see what’s next.<\/p>\n Well see what happens.<\/p>\n When asked if he wants to come back:<\/p>\n For sure. I have so much belief in that room. #CBJ<\/a>\n\t<\/p>\n \t\u2014 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) April 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \n\tSimilar to Bowness’ fiery press conference at the conclusion of the Blue Jackets’ season, it took me back to 2023 when his Winnipeg Jets were eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights in the playoffs, and Bowness\u00a0unleashed on his team<\/a> in a somewhat similar manner. His Jets played without an official designated\u00a0captain that season, as Blake Wheeler was stripped of the ‘C’\u00a0coming into the year.\n<\/p>\n \n\tIn Thursday’s press conference, Bowness alluded to a team being able to have leaders regardless of wearing a letter.\n<\/p>\n \n\t\t“You don’t have to wear a ‘C’ or an ‘A’ to be a leader.” pic.twitter.com\/MiiChxRKYY<\/a>\n\t<\/p>\n \t\u2014 Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) April 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \n\tJenner’s 212 regular-season games are the third most in franchise history behind Rick Nash (289) and Cam Atkinson (213). Will that be all?\n<\/p>\n \tErik Gudbranson (UFA)<\/p>\n \n\tErik Gudbranson, signed in the same offseason in which Johnny Gaudreau also left Calgary for Columbus,\u00a0completed his four-year contract with the Jackets.\u00a0For the first two seasons, Gudbranson was relatively healthy, playing 148 games between 2022 and 2024. Since 2024, he has only appeared in 53 games as injury took its toll. Gudbranson’s most productive scoring season came in 2023-24 when he put up\u00a0career highs in points (26)\u00a0and assists (20) and matched his career best six goals.\n<\/p>\n \n\tNow 34 years old and unable to stay healthy lately, other players can figure into the Jackets’ defensive pairings. The six-foot-five, 222 lb defenseman added some snarl, but it’s hard to imagine he’s back next season. Gudbranson was part of the leadership core, wearing the ‘A,’ and regardless, it’s probably time to shake that leadership room up.\n<\/p>\n \tMason Marchment (UFA)<\/p>\n \n\tMason Marchment and the Blue Jackets were a bit synonymous in that both struggled to start the season, and then both took off. Marchment had 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 29 games with the Seattle Kraken, but then came to Columbus in a trade and started scoring. And scoring. He ended up with 32 points (15 goals, 17 assists) in 39 games for the Jackets.\n<\/p>\n \n\tMarchment found his way into the Blue Jackets franchise record books with eight goals in his first nine games for the club. This will be an interesting one to monitor, and perhaps it’s between him and Coyle on who, if either, returns.\n<\/p>\n \tZach Aston-Reese\u00a0(UFA)<\/p>\n \n\tZach Aston-Reese is in Cleveland as the Monsters embark on their playoff run. For the Blue Jackets this past season, he had five points (one goal, four assists) in 27 games. That’s quite a bit down from his 2024-25 campaign with the team, when he had 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) in 79 games.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \tBrendan Smith\u00a0(UFA)<\/p>\n \n\tBrendan Smith joined the Jackets on a professional tryout contract but appeared in only 15 games with two assists before injury ended his season in late December. It’s unlikely\u00a0the 37-year-old returns to Columbus.\n<\/p>\n \tDanton Heinen\u00a0(UFA)<\/p>\n \n\tDanton Heinen was acquired for Yegor Chinakhov in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins in December, and while Chinakhov stole the headlines with his scoring surge, Heinen played his role well for Columbus. He put up 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 33 games for Columbus, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he were back on a small deal.\n<\/p>\n \tAdam Fantilli (RFA)<\/p>\n \t \n\t\tApr 7, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (19) celebrates after scoring in the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images\n\t<\/p>\n \n\tAdam Fantilli has already wrapped up his third NHL season, and the restricted free agent is ready for his next deal. After\u00a0his first season was reduced to 49 games because of a mid-season injury, Fantili’s\u00a0been healthy each of the last two seasons, playing all 82 games in 2024-25 and 2025-26. Fantilli scored 59 points this past season, a career high, scoring 24 goals and setting a career high 35 assists.\n<\/p>\n \n\t\tA myriad of comments from #CBJ<\/a> center Adam Fantilli, but hes reiterated on several occasions that hes a big fan of Rick Bowness and would love to see him return.<\/p>\n Adds that he understands Bones frustration.<\/p>\n It was in our grasp and we let it slip away and thats on us.\n\t<\/p>\n \t\u2014 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) April 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \n\tIf you’re curious, here’s how the 2023 third overall pick, Fantilli, stacks up to a few of his contemporaries from his draft class:\n<\/p>\n \n\tConnor Bedard, the first overall pick,\u00a0has 203 career points (75 goals, 128 assists) in 219 games since 2023-24. Bedard’s 203 points are 48th among all players since his league debut.\u00a0Leo Carlsson, the Anaheim Ducks’ second overall pick, has 141 points (61 goals, 80 assists) since 2023-24. His 141 points are 135th among all NHLers in that same span. Fantilli’s 141 points are 138th overall.\n<\/p>\n \t\t\t\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t2023 Top 3 Picks<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tGP<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tG<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tA<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tP<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tConnor Bedard<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t219<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t75<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t128<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t203<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tLeo Carlsson<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t201<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t61<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t80<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t141<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tAdam Fantilli<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t213<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t67<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t73<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t140<\/p>\n \tCole Sillinger (RFA)<\/p>\n \n\tCole Sillinger is still only 22 years old, but among the longer tenured Blue Jackets. Next season will be his sixth NHL season, and he’s proven to be a reliable\u00a0player. Bowness coached Cole’s\u00a0dad, Mike Sillinger, in 2003-04.\n<\/p>\n \n\tWhile Cole might not be the type of player who’s going to stack up points \u2014 he’s put up 140 points (51 goals, 89 assists)\u00a0in 367 career games\u00a0so far \u2014\u00a0his\u00a033 points this past season matched last season’s total, a career high. If he could get to 40 and above, I think you’d take that for the role he’s carved out for himself.\u00a0Sillinger played a career-high 81 games in 2025-26, and\u00a0he’s proven to be an effective two-way player on the third line.\n<\/p>\n \tJet Greaves\u00a0(RFA)<\/p>\n \n\tJet Greaves always seemed to flourish in his stints with the Blue Jackets, including down the stretch of the 2024-25 season, when he won his final five straight starts and seven of eight. He went 7-2-2 that year in limited action, to go with a healthy 1.91 goals against average and .938 save percentage. When he became a full-time part of the Blue Jackets’ goalie tandem going into 2025-26, we wondered how that would go. And for the most part, Greaves played up to the part we thought he might.\n<\/p>\n \n\tIn 53 starts and 55 games total, Greaves went 26-19-9 with a 2.60 GAA, .908 save percentage, and two shutouts. An RFA, now we’ll see what the dollars look like.\n<\/p>\n \n\tIn Greaves’ favor, he was ninth among all goalies in goals saved above expected (16.5 in all situations). He was 11th in 5v5 situations (9.3)\u00a0per MoneyPuck<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n \n\tOne thing that stands out about Greaves, beyond his play on the ice, is his demeanor off the ice. You can tell he truly appreciates the moment to play and make the most of every start he gets.\n<\/p>\n \n\t\tJet Greaves on Rick Bowness: We all hope hes back next year. #CBJ<\/a>\n\t<\/p>\n \t\u2014 Mark Scheig (@mark_scheig) April 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \tEgor Zamula (RFA)<\/p>\n
Charlie Coyle
Erik Gudbranson
Danton Heinen
Boone Jenner
Mason Marchment
Brendan Smith<\/p>\n
Adam Fantilli
Jet Greaves
Cole Sillinger
Egor Zamula\n\t<\/p>\n![\"Jan](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/header-904x490-33_0.jpg\" "\\"Jan")
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