The Wild announced today that they have released Dean Evason of his head coaching duties.
The Wild entered the 2023-24 season with almost the same roster that saw them put up two straight 100 plus point seasons. So far the Wild are on pace for a little over 60 points.
A tad over 60 points would be an embarrassment after putting up two straight seasons of 100 or more points but that's what the Wild are on pace for. With that said, President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Guerin has announced today that they have released Dean Evason of his head coaching duties and Bob Woods of his assistant coaching duties, looking to spark a change.
Through 19 games this season the Wild are 5-10-4 and are four points away from the league's worst yet they only have one more win then the San Jose Sharks who are 4-15-2.
They are currently 12 points behind the Winnipeg Jets for third in the Central Division and seven points out of the last playoff spot in the Western Conference.
One of the biggest reasons for the Wild's lack of success has been their penalty kill and power play. The Wild's penalty kill finished tenth in the NHL last season but struggled in the playoffs which led to another first round exit.
This year, the lack of killing penalties in the playoffs has translated to the regular season and the Wild sit dead last in the NHL in PK percentage and are on pace to break the NHL record for the worst penalty kill in a single season.
The Wild’s current penalty kill is 46/69 and have allowed 23 power-play goals, they have only played 19 games and have gone 5-10-4 with a 66.7 percent penalty kill and have lost seven straight games.
It isn't just the penalty kill though, the Wild's star players aren't producing at the rate they should and are expected too. Matt Boldy who scored 31 goals last year has one goal this year and has not scored in ten games which has been over a month.
Kirill Kaprizov who led the team with 45 goals and 75 points last season has two even strength goals which is less than Jake Middleton and the same amount as two guys who are currently playing for the Iowa Wild (Dakota Mermis and Vinni Lettieri).
Although it isn't necessarily Evason's fault for the lack of success of the Wild's star players, something has to give and change. Unfortunately for Evason, it's him.