Blue Jackets coach torches two players after they show up out of shape at camp

The Columbus Blue Jackets opened training camp hoping to build momentum after a long offseason of planning and player development conversations. But the biggest talking point coming out of the early sessions had nothing to do with new systems or roster battles.

Head coach Rick Bowness publicly called out two unnamed players for showing up to camp in subpar physical condition, according to reporter Aaron Portzline on Thursday.

Bowness made clear that the situation frustrated him deeply, particularly because the team held end-of-season meetings and maintained summer conversations with players about expectations heading into camp. Those discussions, it appears, did not land with everyone.

The veteran coach did not reveal the identities of the two players in question. He did, however, take a pointed shot at the NHL's training camp rules, which limit on-ice sessions to three hours per day. Bowness suggested those regulations were effectively shielding the unfit players from being pushed harder.

"Saved by the three-hour rules" was the phrase Bowness used, making it clear he would have liked to run those players into the ground if given the option.

The situation is particularly troubling for a Columbus franchise that has been trying to establish a winning culture. Having even one player arrive out of shape sends a poor message to the locker room. Having two raises legitimate questions about accountability within the organization.

This comes on top of growing trade rumours in Columbus with talks surrounding Kirill Marchenko, who reported to the team and told his general manager he will play hard this season.

There is also the situation with free agent Adam Fantilli, who was absent from physicals and the opening of training camp. General manager Don Waddell and coach Rick Bowness have expressed confidence that talks remain amicable and a deal will eventually get done, with a new proposal expected to be sent back and forth.

Fan speculation online quickly turned to possible culprits. Several supporters pointed to forward Dmitri Voronkov, with some noting that conditioning concerns have surfaced around his name before. None of those claims have been confirmed, and Bowness was deliberate in keeping the players anonymous.

Still, the public nature of the callout is significant. Bowness is a coach who has been around the NHL for decades, and choosing to air this kind of frustration openly rather than handling it behind closed doors suggests a level of irritation that goes beyond routine camp gripes.

The unnamed players will need to get themselves up to speed quickly or risk falling behind in the roster race. Bowness has made his expectations clear, and the rest of the team is watching.