Why a Rick Bowness‑like rant from Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube would have been justified

Rick Bowness unloaded on the Columbus Blue Jackets following their final loss of the 2025-26 season on Tuesday night.

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Published Apr 15, 2026  •  2 minute read

Columbus Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness reacts during a game against the Boston Bruins last month. Getty Images

A rant similar to what Rick Bowness unleashed on the Columbus Blue Jackets late on Tuesday night was never heard in Toronto.

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We wouldn’t have blamed Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube had he unloaded on his players at times during the disaster of a 2025-26 season, as frustrated as he has been after losses every so often.

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The Blue Jackets looked to be heading in the proper direction not long after Bowness was hired to coach on an interim basis after the firing of Dean Evason in mid-January.

The club’s record at the time was 19-19-7 and, when the final horn sounded after their last game, on Tuesday against the Washington Capitals, the record was 40-30-12 for 92 points.

Better, yes, but not enough to get the Jackets into a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

A significant factor was the Jackets’ performance in recent weeks. The club wilted, going 3-9-1 in its final 13 games to miss the playoffs.

Against Washington, the Jackets were credited with just three hits and had 23 giveaways.

What did Bowness say?

“I don’t know if I’m back, but if I’m back, I’m changing this culture,” Bowness said after the loss to the Caps, making no effort to conceal his rage.

“These guys, they don’t care. Losing is not important enough. It doesn’t bother them. How can you go out and play like that?

“This is why we are where we are. This is why we’re out of the playoffs. That kind of effort. You have to hate losing. I don’t care if it’s a meaningless game. I don’t care. Show up and compete.

“Man oh man, some of those guys are so lucky the season is over and there is no practice tomorrow.”

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The Leafs went into their last game in Ottawa against the Senators on Wednesday night having lost six in a row, showing no interest in competing once they were officially eliminated from the playoff race.

There’s a culture change required in Toronto as well, but will Berube be the guy to oversee it? He has had his chance, no?

What has Berube said?

Berube was a little more subtle in his post-game criticisms, though what he was thinking often was made clear.

After a loss to Ottawa on Feb. 28, Berube’s actions spoke rather loudly.

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“I can’t give guys this (pointed to his heart) or this (pointed to his head),” Berube said after a 5-2 loss to the Senators at Scotiabank Arena. “They have to bring the heart and the competitiveness that’s needed. They have to want to bring that.

“We can bring the Xs and Os and I can go in there and yell and scream at them all I want. That doesn’t do anything.”

Never mind that Berube spoke those words weeks ago. They apply just as much today.

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