Stunning news this afternoon, following a regulation win at Utah (but just a 1-3-0 record on a four game western road trip), as Columbus Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell relieved head coach Dean Evason and assistant coach Steve McCarthy of their duties. Rick Bowness takes over as head coach. Bowness most notably took Dallas to the Stanley Cup Final.
I hate to see Evason go because of what he did last year, but McCarthy’s dismissal is at least four years overdue. He was elevated on an interim basis in 2021 and the defense has consistently underperformed under his watch.