The Minnesota Wild fired head coach Dean Evason and top assistant Bob Woods on Monday.
The shake-up comes a day after the Wild’s 4-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings extended their losing streak to seven games. Minnesota is 2-8-3 in their last 13 games.
General manager Bill Guerin released a statement announcing the moves.
“Dean did an excellent job during his tenure with the Minnesota Wild, especially as head coach of our team,” Guerin said. “I am very thankful for his hard work and dedication to our organization … I wish Dean, Bob and their families all the best in the future.”
Guerin’s statement did not mention who would take over coaching duties, but The Athletic reported that former New Jersey Devils and Nashville Predators bench boss John Hynes would be the Wild’s next coach.
Evason, 59, landed his first NHL head coaching job when he took over behind the Wild’s bench mid-season in 2020, replacing Bruce Boudreau.
Evason led the Wild to a franchise-record 113 points during the 2021-22 season and followed up with another 100-point campaign last season.
The Wild had three straight first-round play-off exits under Evason, however, and this year’s frigid start was enough to prompt a change.
Evason had a 147-77-27 record behind Minnesota’s bench.