Columbus Blue Jackets fire Dean Evason, hire Rick Bowness

The Columbus Blue Jackets have made a stunning midseason coaching change, firing head coach Dean Evason and assistant Steve McCarthy. In their place, the team immediately hired veteran Rick Bowness as the new head coach. This move comes as Columbus sits dead last in the Metropolitan Division with just 45 points from a 19-19-7 record.

President of hockey operations and general manager Don Waddell cited the team’s underperformance as the key reason. “This season has been a frustrating one for all of us and the bottom line is we are not performing at a level that meets our expectations,” Waddell said in the official press release. He praised Evason’s work last year but emphasized the need for change now.

Reasons for the coaching shakeup

Columbus entered the 2025-26 season with optimism after a 40-33-9 finish in 2024-25. That previous campaign was marked by tragedy, including the loss of star Johnny Gaudreau, yet Evason guided the team through tough times. Evason’s overall record with the Jackets was 59-52-16 since his hiring in July 2024.

Performance this year has faltered, however. The team lacks consistency in wins and defensive play. Waddell noted shared responsibility, including his own, but decided action was necessary.

Assistant coach Steve McCarthy, who joined in 2021 after time with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters, was also let go. McCarthy had been part of the staff during playoff pushes and a Calder Cup win as a player.

Fans and analysts have pointed to goaltending rotations and depth scoring issues. Early in the season, the Jackets showed promise on the road, as detailed in our coverage of their early-season progress.

This change reflects broader roster resets discussed in preseason outlooks, like our 2025-26 season preview.

Rick Bowness’s extensive NHL pedigree

At 70, Rick Bowness brings decades of experience. He most recently coached the Winnipeg Jets from 2022-24, posting a 98-57-9 record and back-to-back playoff berths.

Before that, Bowness led the Dallas Stars to the 2020 Stanley Cup Final as interim coach, falling to Tampa Bay in six games. His Stars tenure included a 89-62-25 mark over 176 games.

His career NHL coaching record stands at 310-408-48-37 across multiple teams, including Jets, Stars, Coyotes, Islanders, Senators, and Bruins.

Bowness started as a player-coach in the AHL and has assistant stints with Vancouver, Tampa Bay, and others. Drafted by Atlanta in 1975, he played 173 NHL games.

Bowness’s style and potential impact

Waddell highlighted Bowness’s strengths: “He is a good communicator whose teams play with structure, are sound defensively.” This fits Columbus’s needs amid sloppy play.

Bowness himself is eager: “I appreciate the opportunity to come to Columbus… this is a team that I think I can help improve.” He thanked Waddell and president Mike Priest.

Expect emphasis on defensive systems from his Stars and Jets days. Those teams ranked high in goals against during playoffs.

Young talents like Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko could thrive under his steady hand. Veterans like Zach Werenski need structure too.

The Jackets face Calgary next Tuesday at home. Bowness’s first game could set the tone.

Looking ahead for the Blue Jackets

This hire aims to spark a turnaround in a tight Metropolitan Division. Columbus trails leaders but has games in hand.

Success hinges on buy-in from players. Evason’s exit ends a 1.5-year stint; now Bowness must unify.

Goaltending with Daniil Tarasov and Elvis Merzlikins remains key. Depth scoring must improve.

Fans hope for playoff contention, echoing preseason goals. Bowness’s experience offers the best shot at steadiness.

In the end, this bold move signals commitment to contention. If Bowness instills discipline, Columbus could climb the standings and chase a wild-card spot. What it means for the playoffs: a veteran leader might unlock this talented roster’s potential.