The first day on the ice at training camp was mostly a good one for the Blue Jackets.
The lone exceptions were two undisclosed players who didn’t meet physical conditioning standards set by coach Rick Bowness during season-ending exit interviews in April.
“Most of the guys are in great shape,” Bowness said. “There’s a couple of guys I’m not happy with, and right now they’re protected by the three-hour rule. And when the three-hour rule is up, then we’ll take some steps to correct that.”
The rule that Bowness cited is part of the NHL’s new collective bargaining agreement with the NHL Players’ Association, which took effect on Sept. 16.
Along with banning fitness testing, the
new CBA mandates that players be limited during the first four on-ice days of training camp to no more than three hours of work per day. The lone exception are days when teams have exhibition games scheduled.
Bowness didn’t shed any light on the players who are starting the season in the doghouse, but did give a clear reason for his anger and disappointment.
“It’s the meetings at the end of the season,” Bowness said. “We were very clear in those 1-on-1 meetings with what my expectations were. So, for me, that’s more important than the summer correspondence [with the coaching staff]. In the end of the year meetings, it’s just me and you sitting there talking, and ‘Let’s be clear on the message. ‘Yep, got it.’”
Physical conditioning early in camp is something coaches and athletic trainers have always valued, but its importance has climbed even higher with the NHL moving from 82 to 84 games. The NHLPA negotiated the preseason down to two weeks in response, so players now have a shorter runway to get ready for the regular season.
Having two guys miss the mark is irritating, but Bowness isn't anywhere close to boiling point he reached after last season’s loss to the Washington Capitals in a season finale played after each team had been eliminated from the playoffs.
Bowness’ blowup after that went viral. This is different.
“You know what, it’s not that bad, but it’s not where I want it to be,” Bowness said. “So, we’ll fix it.”
Dispatch Blue Jackets/Crew reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Rick Bowness 'not happy' with two Columbus Blue Jackets for fitness
