Dean Evason and the Columbus Blue Jackets…

Circulartheory

Registered User
Apr 22, 2006
6,949
863
Hong Kong
Wait till the playoffs - that is the real test. He was fired from Minnesota for his inability to adapt and try new lines versus a more adaptable opponent.. Over 82 games, he's pretty good. But he would take at least 3 losing games to finally try new lines and you can't have that in a max 7 game series.
 

Rcknrollkillnmachine

Registered User
Sep 22, 2017
663
486
Finland
Always liked Evason and although he has a short shelf-life he does galvanize teams to pull in the right direction and make a playoff berth which would be great for CBJ.
 

Jovavic

Concept of a Plan
Oct 13, 2002
15,693
3,369
New Born Citizen Erased
Wait till the playoffs - that is the real test. He was fired from Minnesota for his inability to adapt and try new lines versus a more adaptable opponent.. Over 82 games, he's pretty good. But he would take at least 3 losing games to finally try new lines and you can't have that in a max 7 game series.
If the team makes the playoffs in the next two years, he should get a statue in front of the arena lol
 

SoundAndFury

Registered User
May 28, 2012
11,831
5,774
I'm surprised he's still there TBH. It really seemed like he was going to be moved and was unhappy for a while. Guess things blew over
I think a big part of his not being happy was constant losing. There might be some truth to the excuse that he played so poorly because of it, too. People have been making that excuse for Gibson for years—that he's a good goalie who has lost his motivation. Elvis has always been a headcase so a change of scenery might truly be doing something for him.

Regarding the Jackets, they probably live out a similar scenario to the Flyers last year. Lots of motivation and underestimation by opponents lead to a good start but fatigue and just pure lack of talent will run them out of the gas eventually. Still, would be nice to see them in the mix at least into the spring.
 
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paragon

Registered User
May 5, 2010
1,804
1,290
Insane what a good coach can do for you. This is why Kekäläinen deserved to be sacked.
 

stevo61

Registered User
Jul 5, 2011
11,661
13,155
Canada
This is the 1st time in years I've been excited for upcoming games. Last 3 or 4 years it was like I was punishing myself watching games and made hockey not very enjoyable anymore
 

Peasy

Registered User
May 25, 2012
17,700
16,565
Star Shoppin
Lol I forgot about this post he made. This is truly an example of something that quite literally couldn't have sounded right even in his head but he posted it anyways. What a guy.
Insane he went that route in a bold predictions article instead of just saying "CBJ rally behind the tragedy and make a strong push for a playoff appearance."
 

57special

Posting the right way since 2012.
Sep 5, 2012
49,706
21,560
MN
Dean believes in a heavy forecheck. If players commit to it, it can cause even the best of teams problems. It's sort of like a good pass rush in football.

In general, though, teams that do well because they work harder than everyone else, generally come back to the pack.

I was surprised that the Sabres didn't hire him when he was just sitting there...their loss. Hopefully CBJ will be able to avoid a long rebuild period that some other franchises are going through(SJS, CHI, BUF, etc.).
 

stevo61

Registered User
Jul 5, 2011
11,661
13,155
Canada
Dean believes in a heavy forecheck. If players commit to it, it can cause even the best of teams problems. It's sort of like a good pass rush in football.

In general, though, teams that do well because they work harder than everyone else, generally come back to the pack.

I was surprised that the Sabres didn't hire him when he was just sitting there...their loss.
It's such an easy sell for Evason in Columbus too. They've had poor results and boring systems. To have a guy come in with high demands can be exhausting but when that work comes with results it's not hard to get guys to buy in. Hes been pushing the right buttons for sure. It's only a matter of time before they stop being one of the highest scoring teams in the NHL and fall back to some degree but it's still a good brand of hockey that can win games, team is gaining an identity again
 
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57special

Posting the right way since 2012.
Sep 5, 2012
49,706
21,560
MN
Wait till the playoffs - that is the real test. He was fired from Minnesota for his inability to adapt and try new lines versus a more adaptable opponent.. Over 82 games, he's pretty good. But he would take at least 3 losing games to finally try new lines and you can't have that in a max 7 game series.
TBF to Dean, he also had a team that was at a disadvantage due to aging/injured Suter and Parise, or their buyout Cap penalties. MN has not been playing with a full deck for the past 4-5 years.
 

Dickie Dunn

Registered User
Jan 4, 2016
3,098
1,545
Minneapolis
He has a shelf life. Got more than he should have out of some of the Wild teams he coached but eventually the things you like about him now will be the things you hate about him later.
 

Crede777

Deputized
Dec 16, 2009
14,836
4,549
As a CBJ fan, they definitely are playing with a purpose and with structure. It is nice to see after three seasons of nothing.

That said, they're second in the league in PDO. So we will see what happens if/when that normalizes.
 

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