In a revealing conversation with The Athletic, Dean Evason opened up about the emotional moment he faced when Bill Guerin informed him of his firing in 2023. Evason recounted walking into Guerin’s office and immediately sensing the gravity of the situation. Upon asking if he was being fired, Guerin confirmed the news before the two shared a heartfelt hug, during which both men shed tears. Evason expressed his gratitude for the opportunity he had with the team, despite the unexpected dismissal.
Evason had initially joined the Minnesota Wild as an assistant coach under Bruce Boudreau, who was also dismissed by Guerin in 2020, leading to Evason’s promotion. After struggling with a 3-5-2 record at the start of the 2023 season, Evason was let go following a seventh consecutive loss. Guerin felt that a change was necessary to ignite the team’s performance, although Evason acknowledged he believed there were alternative ways to spark improvement.
Fast forward to the current season, the Wild find themselves in a similar predicament with a troublesome 3-5-2 record through ten games. The team’s recent performance mirrored previous seasons as they faced another tough loss. Just as in 2023, the organization is grappling with their inability to convert strong potential into playoff success, having recently missed the postseason after a lackluster finish.
The urgency for Guerin to reassess the coaching staff has resurfaced, especially after past failures where Evason was outmaneuvered by opponents like Peter DeBoer and Craig Berube in critical playoff situations. Although Evason cannot bear the brunt of blame alone for the Wild’s playoff shortcomings, Guerin’s tenure has seen little significant change in the team’s trajectory since he assumed leadership.
As Minnesota struggles with consistency, having given up the first goal in numerous games, there is speculation about whether the Wild can shake off their sluggish start. Led by younger players, there is still hope that they may navigate out of their early slump, but the pressure is mounting on Guerin to make crucial decisions. The upcoming matches are pivotal; sustained poor performances could necessitate a difficult but necessary conversation regarding Hynes and his future with the team.
Guerin faces a challenging crossroads – whether to continue with Hynes, who has not yet found success in previous coaching roles, or to seek new leadership altogether. Past strategies have not yielded playoff success, and there is growing recognition that embracing change and developing young talent is essential moving forward.
Minnesota’s current state echoes a cycle of stagnation that calls for a fresh approach. The organization must shift focus from relying on aging veterans to fostering the integration of promising young players into significant roles. Only by embracing strategic changes can the Wild hope to finally break free from their repetitive struggles and find a path to success.