Technically, there have been no head teaching vacancies within the league for just a few days earlier this summer season after the Sharks promoted Ryan Warsofsky. However Columbus, which had been with out a full-time basic supervisor for months till hiring Don Waddell in late Could, fired Pascal Vincent after one season behind the bench on June 17. Vincent has since landed a new job as the pinnacle coach of the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket.
Evason, 59, lands his second NHL head teaching gig after being fired by the Wild lower than two months into final season. He was one in all two reported finalists for the Columbus emptiness alongside ex-Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft, each of whom interviewed final week, per The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline. The Blue Jackets additionally had documented curiosity in former Kings, Oilers and Sharks bench boss Todd McLellan, however McLellan’s nonetheless being underneath contract with L.A. subsequent season brought on complications that led Columbus to again away.
Evason’s ousting in Minnesota round Thanksgiving wasn’t a lot of a shock. The Wild had limped out of the gate whereas hampered by accidents and poor goaltending, posting a 5-10-4 file by way of 19 video games earlier than firing Evason and changing him with John Hynes. It was a damper on an in any other case profitable tenure within the State of Hockey for Evason, who guided the Wild to a 147-77-27 regular-season file (.639 factors proportion) in elements of 5 seasons behind the bench.
Playoff success was a distinct story, although, very similar to all through the Wild’s existence. Following a franchise file of 53 wins and 113 factors in 2021-22, Minnesota was dispatched by the Blues in six video games within the first spherical. Evason’s Wild made the postseason in all 4 makes an attempt, however they by no means gained a collection and went a mixed 8-15.
He’ll now get his second likelihood behind an NHL bench, becoming a member of Minnesota’s growth associate as their third head coach up to now three seasons (and fourth if you happen to depend Mike Babcock, who was slated to interchange Brad Larsen earlier than final season however resigned throughout coaching camp). The Blue Jackets haven’t made the playoffs since John Tortorella was on the helm, a streak that’s anticipated to proceed subsequent spring.
So Evason’s poor playoff observe file gained’t be a significant component in Columbus, at the least not early on. As an alternative, he’ll be tasked with guiding Columbus’ younger core of Adam Fantilli, Kent Johnson and David Jiricek, amongst others, to new heights subsequent season and display proof that they’re near exiting their rebuild.
Evason’s different skilled teaching roles embody serving as an assistant with the Wild from 2018-20, head coach of the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals from 2012-18, and an assistant with the Capitals from 2005-12. A fifth-round choose of the Caps in 1982, Evason’s NHL profession as a participant spanned 803 video games from 1983 to 1996, posting 139 targets and 372 factors for Washington, Hartford, San Jose, Dallas and Calgary.
