Wild’s Dean Evason to Appoint John Hynes as Head Coach after Minnesota Fires

The Minnesota Wild have made a significant announcement, relieving head coach Dean Evason and assistant coach Bob Woods of their coaching duties, effective immediately. The news was shared in a statement on Monday evening, which you can find more about at this link: [https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/minnesota-wild-relieve-coaches-of-duties-112723](https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/minnesota-wild-relieve-coaches-of-duties-112723).

According to The Athletic’s Michael Russo, the Wild are expected to appoint former Devils and Predators bench boss John Hynes as Evason’s successor. Wild GM, Bill Guerin, expressed his gratitude to Dean and Bob for their dedication to the organization.

Evason had been with the Wild as an assistant since 2018, while Woods joined the Wild one season earlier. The 59-year-old Evason began his coaching career with the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen and went on to coach the Capitals before joining the Wild.

He played a significant role in developing future NHL stars during his time with the Predators’ AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. In 2018, he was promoted to head coach for the Wild.

The Wild had their best season in franchise history under Evason’s coaching. However, injuries and inconsistent goaltending led to a disappointing season, ultimately resulting in the coaching changes.

The culture around the team is evidently turning sour, with star player Kirill Kaprizov underperforming and the team struggling both offensively and defensively. The Wild are currently winless in seven straight games.

Former assistant coach Woods, who previously worked with Evason on the Capitals’ bench, is now on the open market, and it’s uncertain whether the Wild will fill his vacancy.

Hynes, who previously coached the Predators, will be joining the Wild as their new head coach. More updates on this development are expected to be revealed soon.

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Sarah Anderson

Sarah Anderson dives into the fast-paced world of NHL hockey. Her coverage includes game analysis, player spotlights, and the latest news from the ice. Sarah’s dedication to the sport ensures that hockey enthusiasts stay informed about the NHL’s thrilling action.