Wild fire HC Dean Evason, expected to hire John Hynes

The Minnesota Wild have announced that head coach Dean Evason and assistant coach Bob Woods have been relieved of their duties with the club.

The news comes in the midst of a seven-game losing streak for the Wild. The club is second last in the Central Division with a 5-10-4 record and 14 points, just two over the Chicago Blackhawks.

Evason coached the Wild for five seasons, making the playoffs in each of the past four years. Despite this, the Wild never advanced out of the first round, but did take Vegas to Game 7 in 2021. In 2021-22, Evason helped the Wild to 53 wins, the best of his career.

“Dean did an excellent job during his tenure with the Minnesota Wild, especially as head coach of our team,” GM Bill Guerin said. “I am very thankful for his hard work and dedication to our organization.”

According to The Athletic’s Michael Russo, longtime NHL coach John Hynes is expected to take over as the team’s seventh bench boss.

Hynes previously served as New Jersey’s coach over five seasons, winning one playoff game in that span. He spent the past four years with the Nashville Predators, advancing to the playoffs three times but failing to get out of the first round. The Predators missed the postseason with Hynes in charge last year.