Scott Clark
Nov 28, 2023 - 05:05

Minnesota Wild replace coach Dean Evason with John Hynes after 14 losses in first 19 games

Minnesota Wild fires Dean Evason after losing seven straight games, replaced by John Hynes. General manager Bill Guerin announced the moves.

The Minnesota Wild made a big move on Monday, firing head coach Dean Evason and assistant coach Bob Woods after a rough start to the NHL season. They replaced Evason with former New Jersey and Nashville coach John Hynes. General manager Bill Guerin announced the changes, with Hynes set to take over immediately. The Wild planned a news conference on Tuesday to introduce Hynes.

Evason, who had been in charge of the Wild for three full seasons, was let go after the team's poor performance in the beginning of the season. He had a record of 147-77-27 in 251 regular season games and 8-15 in the postseason during his time with the Wild. Hynes, on the other hand, has eight NHL seasons under his belt, with a record of 284-255-63. The Predators fired him in May, and before that, he was let go by the Devils.

The Wild's struggles this season have been evident in their performance on the ice. With a 5-10-4 record, they have been unable to find their footing, despite bringing back much of the same roster due to salary cap constraints. The team's top players, Matt Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov, have also been underperforming, with Evason calling them out and urging them to improve their game.

The team's defense has also been a concern, with the Wild allowing more goals per game than all but one other team in the league. The penalty kill has been especially poor, with a success rate of just 66.7%. Adding to the team's woes, center Ryan Hartman was suspended for two games for a tripping foul.

Despite their struggles, it's not too late for the Wild to turn things around and make a push for the playoffs. They have a history of postseason appearances, reaching the playoffs in 10 of the last 11 years. With the season still young, there's time for the team to regroup and make a run for the playoffs.

The Wild's decision to make a coaching change reflects their desire to turn things around and get back on track. With Hynes now at the helm, the team will look to improve their performance and make a push for the playoffs. Only time will tell if this move will pay off for the Wild.