Dean Evason's first season as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets was marked by significant improvement and a near playoff berth, exceeding expectations despite facing immense adversity. With a full offseason to reflect and prepare, Evason recently shared his thoughts on the team's progress, offseason moves, and outlook for the 2025-26 season in a Q&A session.

Reflecting on the 2024-25 Season

Evason acknowledged the "good things" from the previous season but emphasized the team's hunger to take the "next step" after narrowly missing the playoffs. The Blue Jackets finished the 2024-25 season with a 40-33-9 record, a significant jump from the previous year's 27-43-12. This improvement was attributed to a combination of factors, including Evason's coaching, the performance of key players, and the team's ability to rally together. The Blue Jackets overcame the tragic deaths of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. The team's improved offense, which saw them tied for seventh in the league with 3.26 goals per game, and a more effective power play also contributed to their success.

Offseason Moves and Roster Changes

The Blue Jackets' offseason was relatively quiet, with a focus on adding depth and experience to the roster. Don Waddell, the team's general manager, brought in forwards Charlie Coyle, Miles Wood, and Isac Lundestrom. Coyle, acquired from the Colorado Avalanche, is expected to provide valuable experience and leadership down the middle. Wood and Lundestrom are anticipated to add speed and compete to the forward lineup.

Several players departed in the offseason, including Sean Kuraly, Daniil Tarasov, and James van Riemsdyk. However, the team re-signed key players like Ivan Provorov and Dante Fabbro, ensuring stability on the blue line.

Looking Ahead to the 2025-26 Season

Evason and his staff have spent the offseason developing a game plan to build upon last season's progress. The team hopes to push for postseason hockey. Key players like Zach Werenski, Adam Fantilli, and Kirill Marchenko are expected to play significant roles. Sean Monahan, entering his second season with the Blue Jackets, will start as the team's top-line center.

One area for improvement is the penalty kill, which ranked 22nd in the league last season. The team also needs to stay healthy, as injuries to key players like Yegor Chinakov, Sean Monahan, and Boone Jenner hampered their progress last season.

Despite the challenges, there is optimism in Columbus that the Blue Jackets are on the verge of breaking through. With a mix of young talent and experienced veterans, and a full season under Evason's leadership, the team is poised to compete for a playoff spot in the upcoming season.

Evason's International Experience

In addition to his duties with the Blue Jackets, Evason served as the head coach for Canada's National Men's Team at the 2025 IIHF World Championships. He was joined by Blue Jackets assistant coach Steve McCarthy, who served in the same capacity for Canada at the tournament.

Evason's international experience is expected to benefit the Blue Jackets, as he can bring new ideas and perspectives to the team.