Wild Turns: Dean Evason’s Post-Firing Insights, Hynes’ Speed Emphasis, and Flyers’ Heartwarming Gesture…
Dean Evason, recently let go by the Minnesota Wild, shares insights in an interview with The Athletic’s Michael Russo just days after his firing.
The discussion delves into the circumstances surrounding his departure, reflecting on the pivotal trade involving Kevin Fiala to the Los Angeles Kings.
The article also explores Evason’s perspective on what went wrong and his plans for the future. Meanwhile, a glimpse into John Hynes’ coaching approach is highlighted during the first Wild practice, emphasizing a focus on speed.
In other hockey news, the Philadelphia Flyers uplift spirits by signing a nine-year-old cancer patient to a one-day contract for Hockey Fights Cancer Night.
Shifting attention to the Western Conference Wild Card Race, the competition intensifies with several teams vying for two coveted spots, prompting speculation on who will secure them by season’s end.
Could Jack Hughes Serve as a Lesson for John Hynes?…
Jack Hughes has undeniably become one of the top players globally, showcasing his exceptional skills with 76 goals and 181 points in his last 142 games over the past three years.
His remarkable 1.27 points per game ties him for fifth in the NHL alongside Auston Matthews, trailing only Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Nikita Kucherov, and Nathan MacKinnon during that period.
Yet, the focus isn’t on Hughes’ current success but rather on the period when he didn’t shine as brightly, particularly under the coaching of John Hynes. This might raise concerns for Minnesota Wild fans, as Hynes was recently appointed as their head coach.
The Wild is undergoing a significant youth movement, but none of their prospects quite match Hughes’ talent. It’s disconcerting for Minnesota fans that Hughes’ ascent to stardom coincided with Hynes’ departure, given the team’s reliance on young players for both the present and the future.
Interestingly, Hughes’ struggles under Hynes lasted for only 24 games in his rookie season. While Hynes losing his coaching position during this time may not be a positive mark on his record, it’s essential to note that Hughes didn’t immediately thrive once Hynes left.
In fact, Hughes displayed reasonable productivity under Hynes, with four goals and 11 points in those 24 games. For a teenager transitioning from the U.S. National Development Program to the NHL, this hinted at a pace for a 35-plus point season.
Comparatively, Hughes’ performance under interim coach Alain Nasreddine for the remainder of the season was less impressive. In the final 37 games, he managed only three goals and 10 points, including a stretch of 14 games with just one point (an assist). Hughes’ adjustment appeared to worsen, not improve.
Even under new coach Lindy Ruff in the following season, Hughes’ progress wasn’t a drastic departure from what he achieved under Hynes. In his sophomore season, he posted 11 goals and 31 points in a COVID-shortened 56-game season. While it was a slight improvement, Hughes, still a teenager, went from a 37-point pace under Hynes to a 45-point pace under Ruff.
It wasn’t until Hughes’ second season with Ruff that he truly blossomed, recording 26 goals and 56 assists in 49 games. Unless one argues that Hynes significantly hindered Hughes’ development, leading to a two-year recovery, it’s challenging to solely blame Hynes for not extracting the best from this budding superstar.
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