Rick Bowness missed Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday as health concerns kept him away from the bench for a second consecutive matchup, NHL.com reported.
The 71-year-old coach first fell ill ahead of a 3-1 defeat against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, according to Daily Faceoff. General manager Don Waddell said that Bowness visited the team’s facility on Saturday morning to consult with coaches, but he remains day-to-day while undergoing further medical evaluations.
Assistant coach Don Granato stepped in as the interim bench boss on Thursday and remained in charge for Saturday’s contest. Waddell confirmed that Bowness will not travel with the squad for their upcoming four-game road trip starting Tuesday against the New York Islanders, though a later arrival remains possible if medical clearance is granted.
GM Don Waddell just spoke. Rick Bowness will not coach tonight and is undergoing further testing. He’s day to day and wont travel with team to start trip. Once cleared, he’ll join team. #CBJ
Bowness is scheduled to undergo additional medical testing on Monday to determine the cause of his ongoing symptoms, according to Sportsnet.ca. The veteran coach previously missed games during the 2023-24 season with the Winnipeg Jets, The New York Times reported.
Granato maintained constant communication with Bowness throughout Saturday morning.
Columbus GM Don Waddell said Don Granato will coach tonight vs Philadelphia and Monday on Long Island. Rick Bowness is getting checked out for the illness that sidelined him this week. Waddell listed him as "day-to-day" and hopes he can join them on their road trip.
“You know him, he’s a passionate guy. He’s one of the biggest reasons I was excited to be part of this organization,” Granato told The New York Times.
The Blue Jackets entered Saturday’s matchup mired in a three-game losing skid, carrying a 7-10-0 record through their opening 17 games of the season. Jet Greaves started in goal for Columbus against Philadelphia goaltender Joseph Woll, while forward Luca Del Bel Belluz entered the lineup in place of the injured Monahan, The Hockey Writers reported.
The team has managed only five goals across its previous four outings.
“In the game, every night in the game, reaction time is essential,” Granato told The Hockey Writers. “It’s constant and immediate. React to this, react that. React. If you’re tense, tight and the psyche affects that reaction time, if you play with any hesitation, any fear, any doubt, you give the edges to your opponent.”
UPDATE: Blue Jackets Head Coach Rick Bowness will miss tonight’s game vs. Tampa Bay due to illness. Assistant Coach Don Granato will lead the staff in his absence. #CBJ
“He’s doing more testing on Monday,” Waddell told NHL.com.
GM Don Waddell provides an update on Head Coach Rick Bowness. pic.twitter.com/2nKct51GCm