(Saint Paul) The Minnesota Wild fired head coach Dave Evason and assistant Bob Woods on Monday following a seven-game losing streak.
General manager Bill Guerin made the announcement without indicating who will replace Evason on an interim basis. The Wild have suffered 14 losses in 19 games since the start of the season.
According to multiple sources, former New Jersey Devils and Nashville Predators pilot John Hynes will succeed Evason. The Wild have scheduled a news conference where Guerin will introduce his new head coach Tuesday before a game against the St. Louis Blues.
Evason, 59, was almost a quarter of the way through his fourth full season at the helm of the Wild. He got his first job as an NHL head coach in February 2020 when the club fired Bruce Boudreau.
He was 144-77-27 in 251 regular season games and 8-15 in the playoffs without being able to win a series.
The conclusion to the 2021-22 season was the most disappointing, as the Wild were eliminated in six games by the Blues after coming off a team-record 113-point campaign.
“Dean has done an excellent job during his time with the Wild, particularly as head coach of our team,” said Guerin. I am very grateful for his hard work and dedication to our organization. »
“I would also like to thank Bob for his work with the Wild. I wish Dean and Bob and their families the best for the future. »
Things haven’t been going great for the Wild (5-10-4) so far this season, with the roster seeing almost no changes this offseason due to salary cap constraints.
Matt Boldy, who scored 31 goals last season, scored just once in 12 games in the first year of his seven-year, $49 million contract. Kirill Kaprizov – the club’s highest-paid player with an annual salary of 9 million – meanwhile has six goals in 19 outings.
Only the San Jose Sharks have allowed more goals per game than the Wild (3.95).
Evason is the second head coach to be fired this season in the NHL after Jay Woodcroft of the Edmonton Oilers. The latter was replaced by Kris Knoblauch, and the Oilers have won four of their seven games since.
Hynes was 284-255-63 in eight NHL seasons. The Predators fired him on May 30, six weeks after the team missed the playoffs.
The Wild also learned Monday that their forward Ryan Hartman was suspended for two games after he dangerously tripped Alex DeBrincat of the Detroit Red Wings.
According to the NHL’s explanations, Hartman’s action was premeditated.
This is Hartman’s second suspension this year. He was sidelined for a game in April due to an obstructive gesture.
Deemed a repeat offender under the collective bargaining agreement, Hartman will be deprived of $41,463. He will miss the duels against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday and against the Nashville Predators two days later.
He will be able to return to the lineup on Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks.