We now have details on Rick Bowness' new head coaching job in the NHL

UPDATE: According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, Rick Bowness' new agreement as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets is for the remainder of the season only. Once the season concludes, the two sides will make a decision on his future with the club.

From Friedman:

Bowness had previously retired after his stint with the Winnipeg Jets, but evidently the lure of the NHL was too strong for him to stay at home. The 70 year old is now back behind the bench... where he belongs.

Read below for our earlier report on the news of Bowness' hiring yesterday afternoon.

This just in, the Columbus Blue Jackets have fired head coach Dean Evason and and assistant coach Steve McCarthy. Additionally, the team has hired legendary NHL coach Rick Bowness as their new head coach.

It's unclear at this point who will replace McCarthy on Bowness' new staff. Assistant coaches Jared Boll, Scott Ford and Mike Haviland still remain with the team on under Bowness' direction.

“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. We all share in that responsibility, me included, and while this was not a decision that was made lightly it is one that needed to be made at this time,” said GM Don Waddell in a prepared statement. “Dean did a tremendous job last year under extremely difficult circumstances and I thank him for that. I also want to thank Steve for his commitment to our club over the past five years.”

Bowness retired from coaching in 2024 when he stepped down from his position with the Winnipeg Jets. Now, at 70 years old and with the most NHL games coached of anyone in history, he's back in the game.

“Rick Bowness is a tremendous coach with invaluable experience and knowledge, and he will bring a steadiness to our team at an important juncture in our season,” said Waddell in a statement. “He is a good communicator whose teams play with structure, are sound defensively and we believe he is the right person to bring out the best in our group.”

“I appreciate the opportunity to come to Columbus because it is a good organization with good people and this is a team that I think I can help improve,” said Bowness. “I’m thankful to Don and (Blue Jackets President) Mike Priest and I’m really excited to work with our players and coaching staff to help get us where we want to go.”

The Blue Jackets are currently 19-19-7 and sit in the basement of the NHL's Metropolitan division.