When the Blue Jackets wrapped up a high-tempo practice last Friday before heading to Pittsburgh, they didn’t just hit the showers and call it a day. Instead, they broke into two squads for a spirited 3-on-3, small-area game in the neutral zone.
The nets were moved up to the blue lines, the space was tight, and the pace was fast. It was competitive, chaotic, and-most importantly-fun.
Now, small-area games aren’t exactly new in the NHL. Coaches use them all the time to sharpen decision-making, puck control, and spatial awareness under pressure.
But for new head coach Rick Bowness, the reason behind the drill wasn’t just about sharpening skills. It was about bringing back a little joy.
“Fun,” Bowness said when asked why he threw the game in at the end of practice. “Just a fun little game. You gotta have a little fun out there, especially at this time of year.”
That might sound simple, but it speaks volumes about Bowness’ approach. In a league where wins define legacies and every shift can swing millions in contract value, it’s easy to forget that hockey is, at its core, still a game.
Bowness hasn’t. After four decades behind the bench, he knows the grind of an 82-game season, and he knows that if you’re not enjoying the process, it shows on the ice.
“You see how hard they work at it, because it’s competitive,” Bowness added. “They're working on their skill and they’re working on their reads and everything else. It's a fun game.”
That philosophy is already starting to resonate in Columbus. The Blue Jackets haven’t had much to smile about this season.
After a promising run last year that saw them flirt with a playoff spot, expectations were higher heading into this campaign. A mix of young talent and experienced veterans had fans hoping for a return to the postseason for the first time since 2020.
Instead, the first half of the season was defined by frustration. The Jackets found themselves stuck near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings through December and early January, plagued by inconsistent play and late-game collapses. It was enough for President of Hockey Operations and GM Don Waddell to make a change behind the bench, bringing in Bowness just a week ago.
Since then? A 3-0 start under the new coach. And while it’s far too early to declare a full turnaround, there’s no denying the energy shift.
“It's great,” said forward Kent Johnson. “I think you should be having fun in the sport, and obviously it's easier when you're winning. So we'll try to keep that going.”
That’s the thing about winning-it tends to make everything a little lighter. Confidence grows, players start trusting their instincts, and suddenly the puck starts bouncing your way. It’s a subtle but powerful shift, and it’s one that’s showing up on the Jackets’ bench and in their locker room.
Zach Werenski sees it too.
“The last few games, we've definitely felt that way,” the defenseman said. “It’s still pretty early, but it seems like guys are playing with a lot of confidence, a lot of swagger, and it's been fun to be a part of, fun to see.
I think obviously confidence is everything. When guys are playing with confidence, the whole team looks better.”
That swagger isn’t just cosmetic-it’s contagious. In a league where most games are decided by a bounce, a deflection, or a single mistake, the mental edge can be the difference between a win and a loss. And right now, the Blue Jackets are playing like a group that believes in itself again.
Bowness isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel in Columbus. He’s tightening up structure, demanding effort, and reminding his players of something they’ve known since they first laced up skates as kids: hockey is supposed to be fun. That message, paired with a few wins, is already starting to turn the tide.
“You gotta look forward to going to the rink,” Bowness said. “You gotta look forward to hanging out with the guys.
That’s all a part of it. That’s what we do.
That’s what we sign up for.”
The road ahead will still have its bumps-this is the NHL, after all-but for now, the Blue Jackets are skating with purpose and playing with joy. And that’s a pretty good place to start.