Columbus Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness expects more 'nastiness'

The Jan. 12 phone call from Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell came as a happily-retired Rick Bowness relaxed with his wife on their boat off the Florida Gulf Coast. Bowness answered, listened and gave Judy a look of “You’re not going to believe this.” Waddell wanted Bowness to replace the fired Dean Evason as CBJ coach, effective immediately. Just as immediately, Bowness’ mental gears began to turn, his emotions began to stir and mild-mannered Bruce Banner turned into the Incredible Hulk. Instead of lounging in sunshine and chilling in hot tub heaven, there were NHL opponents to crush, CBJ bad habits to break, even opposing coaches to square off against. “I have to watch my emotion...