In a surprising twist of off-ice drama, Minnesota Wild head coach John Hynes has reportedly received a startling and direct message from former Wild bench boss Dean Evason, now an assistant coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets, regarding what Evason described as “serious concerns” about the locker room culture and internal leadership within the Wild organization.
The Message: “It’s Still Broken”
According to sources close to both teams, the message was sent privately — but its contents have made their way into NHL circles. Evason, who was fired by the Wild in late 2023 after a disappointing start, reportedly warned Hynes:
“It’s still broken — and it starts in that room. Until the leadership group changes the way they hold each other accountable, nothing on the ice will stick.”
The comment is being interpreted by insiders as a shot at the Wild’s veteran core, including long-tenured leaders who were part of both Evason’s and now Hynes’ locker room.
Context and Tension
Evason’s message comes on the heels of another early playoff exit for the Wild, marking yet another season where regular season promise didn’t translate into postseason success. Despite a strong finish under Hynes and the emergence of young stars like Marco Rossi and Brock Faber, whispers have grown about a culture that lacks the intensity and accountability required to go deep in the playoffs.
This adds weight to Evason’s warning, suggesting that the core cultural issues he faced haven’t been addressed — or worse, have persisted under new leadership.
Hynes Responds
While John Hynes has not commented directly on Evason’s message, sources say he has addressed it internally. A team official noted:
“Coach Hynes has made clear this is his locker room now. He’s not interested in ghost stories from the past — he’s focused on setting a new standard.”
Players React
When asked if there’s truth to lingering cultural issues, veteran defenseman Jonas Brodin responded:
“We’ve heard the noise before. We know what’s expected of us — if anything, this motivates us more.”
Team captain Jared Spurgeon added:
“We respect what Dean did here. But this is a new era. We’ve moved forward — and we believe in Coach Hynes.”
The Bigger Picture
Whether Evason’s comments are rooted in lingering frustration, sincere concern, or both, one thing is clear: the Wild remain a team under the microscope. With pressure mounting to turn potential into playoff results, Hynes and his staff must now battle not just on the ice — but against the narrative that something fundamental remains broken in Minnesota.
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