Columbus Blue Jackets: Bones Returns and Jody Shelley Previews the 26-27 Season

Columbus Blue Jackets Head Coach Rick Bowness caught up with Jody Shelley in a recent dockside chat as the team prepares for the upcoming 2026-27 National Hockey League season, according to official club reporting published by NHL.com on Sept. 12, 2026. Bowness returned to Columbus to put away his boat and transition his focus fully to the hockey calendar after the offseason break.

Preparing for the 2026-27 Season

The informal conversation between Bowness and Shelley served as an early preview of the 2026-27 campaign for Blue Jackets fans. According to NHL.com coverage, the head coach stepped off the water and immediately shifted attention back to organizational readiness. Bowness spent the interim months away from the rink before heading back to Columbus to finalize preparations for training camp and player evaluations.

Dockside Preview With Jody Shelley

Shelley, a familiar presence around the franchise, sat down with Bowness for the waterfront discussion to evaluate where the team stands ahead of the new year. Official club media highlighted the interview as part of the initial rollout of content leading into the 2026-27 schedule. The conversation touched on expectations for the roster as the club looks to make strides in the competitive Metropolitan Division.