"Jay Woodcroft dodged a bullet" "How sigma of them": NHL fans react to Dean Evason being named Columbus Blue Jackets' new head coach

On Monday, the Columbus Blue Jackets named Dean Evason their new head coach. He signed a multi-year contract. Evason will be introduced at a press conference on July 23 at 10:30 a.m. ET at Nationwide Arena. The event will be streamed live on the Blue Jackets' YouTube page.

Frank Seravalli first reported the news on X (formerly Twitter).

"#CBJ have named Dean Evason next head coach."

NHL fans have since reacted to the news on X.

"Jay Woodcroft dodged a bullet," one fan said.

"How sigma of them," another fan commented.

"Cheap option should have stepped up and hired McClellan. #CBJ always goes the cheap route on coaches. Only thing to make it worse is retaining the assistant coaches," one X user said.

Here are some more reactions from NHL fans on X.

"Great choice and he’s always seemed like a good guy and a players coach," one fan tweeted.

"That’s cool. Still like to see Woody somewhere," a fan said.

"How is Woodcroft not a head coach anywhere?," another fan commented.

Dean Evason’s passion and tenacity earned him head coach role with Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets President and General Manager Don Waddell made the announcement, stating that Dean Evason will bring his passion and tenacity to the role.

“Dean Evason brings to coaching what he brought as a player – passion, hard work and tenacity – and I couldn’t be happier that he will serve as the next head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets,” Waddell said (via NHL.com).

“He has spent well over two decades in this league as a player, assistant coach and head coach and I believe that experience, combined with the outstanding person he is, will allow Dean to get the best out of our players and put us in a position to succeed as a team,” Waddell added.

Evason's coaching career began in the WHL and has represented Canada in various international tournaments, including the 1997 IIHF World Championships, where he was team captain.

NHL: Ottawa Senators at Minnesota Wild - Source: Imagn

Evason previously coached the Minnesota Wild. He had a 147-77-27 record over five seasons.

He became interim head coach in February 2020 and was promoted to the permanent role in July 2020. He held the position until November 2023.

His .639 points percentage ranks among the top five active NHL coaches with 250 or more games. Under his leadership, the Wild made the playoffs each year and ranked high in several key stats.

Before coaching the Wild, Evason was the head coach of the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL. He led them to a Central Division title in 2015-16.

He also spent seven seasons as an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals, helping with their success in multiple divisions and playoff appearances.