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"They need to reestablish that culture" - Paul Bissonnette advocates for 'hard-a**' coach to steady the ship for Columbus Blue Jackets
On Monday, Paul Bissonnette talked about the Columbus Blue Jackets' new coach and the upcoming season. Pascal Vincent was fired on June 17 after a tough season with a 27-43-12 record. Dean Evason is now the head coach.
Bissonnette said the team needs a coach who is both approachable and strict.
[00:32:33] "Changing of the guard. I think they needed somebody who, like you said, has that mix between being a players' coach but also a hard-a** and very structured," Bissonnette said on Spittin' Chiclets.
"It's not going to be a country club there, especially to start. They need to reestablish that culture."
He discussed the team's frustrations last season, which led to major changes. Vincent was promoted to head coach in a tough situation and struggled.
"Ultimately, he [Pascal Vincent] was put in a very difficult situation. But ever since they let go of the GM and hired Don Waddell, and now Dean Evason, they have some good young prospects," Bissonnette added.
Bissonnette also mentioned possible changes like trading star forward Patrik Laine. With Evason and new management, the team aims to fix past issues and build a better future.
"I love the hire. As I mentioned, they need that aspect of a players' coach but also a guy who's tough and who's going to come in and clean up a lot of the mistakes that have been made."
Vincent's time as head coach and assistant coach saw the Columbus Blue Jackets with an 89-129-28 record.
Columbus Blue Jackets name Dean Evason as new head coach
On Monday, the Columbus Blue Jackets named Dean Evason their new head coach. President and General Manager Don Waddell made the announcement. Evason previously coached the Minnesota Wild from 2020 to 2023, had a record of 147-77-27, and took the team to the playoffs each year. During his time with the Wild, Evason was a finalist for the Jack Adams Award.
“I am incredibly proud and honored to be named the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets and appreciate very much the opportunity that Don, the McConnell family and Mike Priest have extended to me,” Evason said (via NHL.com).
“There is a great core and a lot of young talent on this team. I am really looking forward to working with this group and helping us become a team that playsextremely hard and competes at the highest level."
Before joining the Wild, Evason led the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL from 2012 to 2018.
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