Dean Evason expressed his frustration after Sunday’s loss, the Minnesota Wild’s seventh in a row. The team, as well as Evason, were struggling to find solutions. “We’ve got to change something,” Evason said. Ultimately, that change was Evason himself. The Wild let go of Evason on Monday, hoping for a fresh start after losing 13 of their last 16 games and sinking near the bottom of the NHL standings. Assistant coach Bob Woods also got dismissed due to the defense and penalty kill’s poor performance. Evason, who replaced Bruce Boudreau during the 2019-20 season, finished with a 147-77-27 record during his tenure with the Wild. Although the playoffs were a challenge, with the Wild failing to advance past the first round in three consecutive years, Evason still managed a remarkable .639 points percentage, among the league’s best. Amidst the uncertainty, John Hynes, the former New Jersey Devils and Nashville Predators coach, is expected to take over as the seventh coach in Wild history. Hynes’ reputation and connection to the Wild’s management make him the logical successor. However, the decision to replace Evason was tough for the team, as players felt grateful for his guidance and support. Despite the setbacks, the Wild remained hopeful to turn the season around. The team has a string of promising games ahead and aims for a playoff spot. These aspirations led to the decision to part ways with Evason and Woods, given the persisting issues with the team’s performance. The porous penalty kill, undisciplined penalties, and goaltending struggles are among the areas in need of improvement. Standout players like Kaprizov and Boldy have not met expectations, further contributing to the team’s struggles. It’s official – the Wild have set their sights on a fresh start to revive their season, setting high hopes for the future.
Minnesota Wild Make Coaching Change: John Hynes Hired as New Head Coach, Sources Say
