The Columbus Blue Jackets missed the Stanley Cup playoffs after six consecutive home losses, according to multiple reports. A weak finish to the regular season caused them to lose their playoff spot. Head coach Rick Bowness blamed the player roster for what went wrong, stating that players don't care enough about losing and need to hate losing and compete in every match. He added there is no excuse for their performance.
Rick Bowness was angry after the final game against Washington, multiple reports indicate. The scorers were Boone Jenner for the Blue Jackets and Anthony Beauvillier and Jacob Chychrun for the Capitals. Bowness pointed to statistics like three tackles and 23 puck losses. He noted some players should be happy the season is over with no practice tomorrow. Reflecting on challenges, Bowness explained things got tough after the Olympics and the team stopped competing when it got hard.
Some of the guys should be so happy that the season is over and that we don't have practice tomorrow.
Bowness's future with the team remains uncertain. He took over Columbus during the season and returned to the NHL after leaving Winnipeg after the 23/24 season, according to multiple reports. The team initially had success under Bowness, stringing together wins and reaching a playoff spot. However, he expressed doubt about returning, stating he doesn't know if he's coming back but would change the culture if he returns.
All you need to do is look at the statistics. Three tackles, 23 puck losses. I don't know if I'm coming back, but if I come back then I will change this culture. These guys don't care, losing isn't important enough for them, it doesn't bother them. How can you go out and play like this? This is why we are where we are, this is why we are not playing in the playoffs.
You have to hate losing. I don't care if it's a meaningless match, I don't care. Come there and compete. Three tackles and 23 puck losses, what more do you want to know?
It got tough, it got hard. We talked after the Olympics that it would be harder, everything was fine as long as it went our way. Now when it got tough, we don't want to compete. That's why, that's what happened. We will change that, I don't know if I'm back, but if I am we will change that.
There is no excuse. If they are not ashamed of, not just tonight, of that fact – then they are in the wrong profession.