Just hours after I complained about the long coaching search and picked Dean Evason as the profile image…the Columbus Blue Jackets announced on Monday afternoon that the former Minnesota Wild head coach will be the 13th head coach in franchise history.
My top choice for this job was Todd McLellan, who had left things better than he found them in San Jose, Edmonton, and Los Angeles. I was also intrigued by the playing style of Jay Woodcroft, though it’s not clear how much the success was based on him as opposed to having the talents of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Evason’s record has plenty to work for it. In parts of five seasons in Minnesota, his record was 147-77-21, i.e. a .639 points percentage. Over the span from February 14, 2020 to November 27, 2023, Evason’s Wild had the eighth-most points in the NHL (321, trailing Boston (364), Colorado, Carolina, Toronto, Vegas, Florida, and the Rangers).
Prior to coaching the Wild, Evason was a head coach in the WHL, the AHL, and also served as an assistant for the Washington Capitals. As a player, Evason played 803 games in the NHL, with 139 goals, 233 assists, and 1002 penalty minutes.
In the three full seasons from 2020-21 through 2022-23, Evason’s Wild had a 5v5 xGF% of 51.62, good for 13th in the NHL. The Blue Jackets under John Tortorella, Brad Larsen, and Pascal Vincent were 44.97 in those three seasons, 29th in the NHL. By expected goals against, the Wild trailed only the Boston Bruins, with 2.24 expected goals against per 60 minutes. The Blue Jackets were second-worst with 2.78.
Dean Evason may not be the first choice or the best choice, but he can bring much-needed stabilty and structure to the Jackets. In addition, he brings NHL playing experience which should earn him the respect of veteran players and rookie players alike.
After years of turmoil, hopefully this is the last head coaching hire for several years. Welcome, Dean, and good luck!