Blue Jackets dismiss Dean Evason, hire Rick Bowness as coach

The Columbus Blue Jackets fired head coach Dean Evason, dismissed assistant coach Steve McCarthy and hired veteran Rick Bowness as his replacement, the team announced on Monday, Cbssports reported. Evason was halfway through his second season with the club. Columbus is 19-19-7 and sits in the basement of the Eastern Conference.

In a statement, general manager Don Waddell cited underachievement as the primary reason, saying, "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 thanked Evason for his work last season.

Evason had led the Blue Jackets to a 40-33-9 finish in 2024-25 after the death of Johnny Gaudreau in the offseason, but the club has not built on that performance. Management has made moves this season, including acquiring Mason Marchment for second- and fourth-round picks and later sending Yegor Chinakhov to Pittsburgh to recoup draft capital.

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Sports, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dean Evason, Rick Bowness, Don Waddell, Mason Marchment