Overview
- Following Tuesday's 2-1 season finale loss to the Capitals, Rick Bowness blasted his players' effort, citing 'three hits, 23 giveaways' and saying some 'don't care' about losing.
- Columbus finished 40-30-12, missed the playoffs for a sixth straight year, lost nine of its final 11 games, and closed with six straight home defeats.
- Bowness took over on Jan. 12 and pushed the team into contention with roughly a 21-11-5 run before the late collapse that cost a postseason spot.
- His contract initially ran only through this season, but multiple outlets reported he will return, with OutKick citing a one-year extension on Thursday as Bowness publicly stood by his comments.
- Players voiced mixed reactions as Zach Werenski disputed the idea they 'don't care,' while GM Don Waddell now faces calls on pending free agents such as Boone Jenner, Charlie Coyle and Mason Marchment plus a goalie plan after Elvis Merzlikins struggled and Jet Greaves emerged.