Overview
- Following Tuesday’s 2-1 loss to the Capitals that closed Columbus’ season, Rick Bowness said his players “don’t care” and cited “three hits, 23 giveaways” as proof of poor effort.
- Columbus finished 40-30-12 and missed the playoffs for a sixth straight year after a 2-8-1 skid in the final 11 games and six straight home losses.
- The team has now announced a one-year extension for Bowness through 2026-27, backing his pledge to change the club’s culture.
- Players pushed back on parts of the critique as captain Boone Jenner accepted blame for the collapse while Zach Werenski said teammates do care despite falling short.
- The offseason centers on fixing late-game failings that included 21 blown third-period leads, weighing UFAs such as Jenner, Charlie Coyle and Mason Marchment, and sorting goaltending after Elvis Merzlikins’ struggles as Jet Greaves emerged.