Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski breaks silence on scathing Rick Bowness call out

The Columbus Blue Jackets were called out by head coach Rick Bowness after a crushing loss to end their season. Columbus was already eliminated from playoff contention heading into the game. And from Bowness’s perspective, it was clear the players had things on their minds other than the game at hand.

The Blue Jackets fell to the Capitals by the score of 2-1 on Tuesday. Washington’s Clay Stevenson made 27 saves in the victory. Despite the close score, Bowness did not like his team’s effort, going so far as to say his players didn’t care about losing. On Wednesday, Zach Werenski responded to those comments.

“I think guys do hate to lose. I think we need to learn how to win, and I definitely think he can help us with that. He’s been around for so long and in the (Cup Final), and he went to the playoffs a bunch and his knowledge of how to get to the playoffs and how we have to play this time of year, we do need to learn that. But I don’t think it’s right to say that we don’t hate to lose and we don’t care,” the Blue Jackets defenseman said, via NHL.com.

It wasn’t too long ago that Bowness was singing a different tune, as well. The Blue Jackets coach lauded his players’ efforts before a game against the Detroit Red Wings on April 7th. Columbus went on to win that contest 4-3 in a shootout.

The Blue Jackets went on to lose three of their next four, though. And as a result, they will miss the playoffs in 2026. It will certainly be interesting to see if Bowness returns as coach, and if he can bring the changes he promised after the loss to the Capitals.

The post Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski breaks silence on scathing Rick Bowness call out appeared first on ClutchPoints.