Dean Evason has been appointed as the new head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, ushering in a significant leadership change. General Manager Don Waddell voiced strong support for Evason, praising his passion, dedication, and tenacity—traits Waddell believes will greatly enhance the team.
He highlighted Evason’s extensive experience in the NHL, including his roles as a player, assistant coach, and head coach. Waddell is confident that Evason’s deep understanding of the game and proven track record will help maximize the team’s potential and guide them to success.
The decision to hire Evason followed protracted contract negotiations with Todd McLellan, who was reportedly interested in joining the Blue Jackets but never received a formal offer.
McLellan’s potential appointment was considered, but ultimately, the team chose to move forward with Evason. This decision concludes a tumultuous period for the Blue Jackets in terms of coaching, reflecting the organization’s ongoing search for stability and leadership.
The past year has been particularly challenging for the Blue Jackets with significant coaching changes. After firing Brad Larsen in April 2023 due to consecutive seasons without playoff appearances, the team hired Mike Babcock.
However, Babcock resigned in September 2023 amid an investigation into his conduct with players, never coaching a game for the team. Pascal Vincent was then promoted to head coach, but his tenure was cut short after a disappointing season that saw the team finish with the worst record in the Eastern Conference.
Dean Evason, at 57 years old, brings a strong coaching resume to the Blue Jackets. His previous stint with the Minnesota Wild was marked by a successful record of 147-77-27 over parts of five seasons, leading the team to the playoffs in each of his four full seasons.
Additionally, Evason’s impressive .639 points percentage ranks fifth among active NHL coaches with over 250 games, and he was a finalist for the Jack Adams Award in 2020-21.
Evason expressed his pride and enthusiasm about his new role, acknowledging the core group and young talent on the Blue Jackets. He looks forward to working with the team to instill a strong work ethic and competitive spirit. Evason’s appointment is seen as a hopeful step towards stabilizing the team and improving their performance in the coming seasons.
