from Michael Russo and Joe Smith of The Athletic,
Dean Evason sounded as exasperated as he ever has following Sunday’s loss in Detroit, the Minnesota Wild’s seventh straight defeat.
His team was running out of answers. So was he.
“We’ve got to change something,” he said.
In the end, the change was Evason.
The Wild fired Evason on Monday afternoon, hoping to provide a jolt to a club that has lost 13 of its past 16 games, nose-diving to near the bottom of the NHL standings. Assistant coach Bob Woods, who coached the defense, was also dismissed. Woods, in his seventh season in Minnesota, was in charge of a penalty kill that ranked last in the NHL having allowed 23 goals.
continued ($)
I just don't see many of their games - but - last year their goaltending was very solid and were a tough team to play against.
A monkey could have come up with a better penalty kill 'system' than they employed: the static, no move, 4 man box. No wonder they are last in the 32 team league in PK.
It simply a horrible approach in today's NHL. About the only time I'd use that approach is if I was leading by 3 goals in the final minute.
Giving today's NHL players time AND space will get you beaten time and time again. I'm thrilled any time I see this approach vs the Wings.
I was thinking the same thing watching the game yesterday
After watching 2 periods of Ottawa game I'm thinking there may be another coaching change. Ottawa is lifeless playing at home andFlorida is doing to them what Ottawa did to detroit at the end of last year--with little push back. Third should be interesting one way or the other as second ended with skirmish
had the same thought uke but feels like maybe OTT will try to get through and maintain stability for now. or, smith is fired tomorrow.
Ottawa pushing back, but too little too late. First two periods they were just lifeless. Big skirmish in 3rd and refs give *everybody on ice* 10
minute misconducts
the score isnt changing. not good in OTT.
Evason has never won a round in the playoffs at any level in 25 years of coaching! Why would anyone hire him?
Create an Account
In order to leave a comment, please create an account.