Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness criticizes the team after missing the sixth straight game

The organization moved from second place in the first division last month to lose 3-2 on penalties to… Philadelphia Flyers on monday. Head coach Rick Bowness, who came out of retirement to take over in January, didn’t hold back from his team when he spoke to reporters Tuesday night.

Head coach Rick Bowness of the Columbus Blue Jackets watches during an NHL game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, on April 2, 2026. (Katherine Gawlik/Icon Sportswire)

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

“All you have to do is look at the stat sheet: Three hits, 23 giveaways,” he said frankly. “I don’t know if I’m back, but if I’m back, I’m going to change this culture.” “These guys – they don’t care. Losing isn’t important enough to them. It doesn’t bother them. How can you go out and play like that?”

“I should have done it about a month ago, but this is why we’re here. This is why we’re out of the playoffs. That kind of effort. You have to hate losing. I don’t care if it’s a meaningless game. I don’t care. Show up and compete.”

Columbus Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness directs his team from the bench against the Florida Panthers at Amirant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, on March 12, 2026. (Elliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)

Bowness replaced Dean Evason on January 12 as the Blue Jackets sat in last place in the Eastern Conference. But he quickly turned things around, and Columbus went 18-2-4 in its first 24 games.

The Avalanche coach takes a penalty to his face and will miss the final games of the regular season

The Blue Jackets found themselves in a playoff spot, but once things turned for the better, they went 3-9-1 to miss the playoffs for the sixth straight season.

“Some of these guys are very lucky that the season is over and there’s no training tomorrow,” Bowness said, later adding: “Unforgivable. If they’re not embarrassed not just tonight – by that – they’re in the wrong team.”

Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness coaches the New York Rangers during the second period at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York, on March 2, 2026. (Brad Penner/Imagine Images)

“If you come back, we will change this strange culture.”

Click here to download the FOX NEWS app

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on Xand subscribe to Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.