Article: Charlie Stramel Is Ready To Put Last Season's Struggles Behind Him

[M_Nels]

12 hours ago, Willy the poor boy said:

So what are the probabilities BG hires another Berube or DeBoer? The odds are whoever he hires to replace him does no better and likely does worse.  

Funny how a lot of posters here will say how the team lacks talent and then want DE fired for not getting past the first round. If you're asking me it's a wonder how we even made the playoffs for two years never mind setting the mark for the franchise' best win record.

Is Dean perfect? Hell no, but who is. It ain't like it's easy to just go out and find a Stanley Cup coach. I'd hate to have to wait out another 3, 4, 5 years because DE doesn't make it past the 1'st round with a 15 million dollar handicap. 

Yeah let’s just to pluck a Cup winning coach from the fully in-bloom coaching tree. Do people on here actually understand how hard it is to find that caliber of coach on the open market in the offseason? There’s a reason why they don’t come around much. Plus the coaches system has to match the players. Just off the top of my head a coach like Sutter would be a disaster with our lineup. 
 

Dean is frustrating at times, I get it. His stubbornness in mixing lines being one of them. Special teams has been our biggest achilles heel every postseason. Both scoring (even with ALL the talent we have) and definitely on the kill. Shaw being hurt didn’t do us any favors either. While Dean has the final say he has a coach designated to run them, akin to a coordinator in the NFL. 

 

Just have to wait and see if the new hire can turn them around. My prediction is that Dean will be given 1-2 seasons after the buyouts and if he can’t advance then yeah he’ll be gone but he’s severely handicapped until that time. 

[Imyourhuckleberry]

Charlie Stramel Is Ready To Put Last Season's Struggles Behind Him.

I'm sure he is willing.

Let's just hope he's able to do so.

With added talent around him, a capable new coaching staff, and a path to the NHL on the line, he should have plenty of support to get things moving in the right direction.

[viper3119]

10 hours ago, FredJohnson said:

Can we have one (just 1!!) center pan out before the sun explodes??!!

What about Joel erikson Ekk?

[Velgey]

13 hours ago, joebou15 said:

Oh and name me a prospect he's brought along that wasn't Uber talented when they arrived like Boldy and Kaprizov. I'll wait.

This is my chief complaint with DE. I believe he's a great regular season coach and one of the better coaches in the NHL overall, but outside of KK and Boldy, he doesn't seem to be meeting the prospects where they are and guiding their development. By all appearances, he's much more comfortable turning to cast-offs and lunch pail players to fill holes in the roster rather than the prospects in the pipeline.

That being said, there's the obvious caveat of this is all based on an outside perspective. Maybe DE is doing everything to mentor the prospects and it just hasn't paid off yet. Some of those cast-off players, like Hartman, have paid off really well.

One other point in DE's favor is the role he has played in turning around the team culture. The buyouts were the main driver in that change, but it really does seem like DE (and BG) have stamped out remnants of that old identity and helped turn the Wild into a different kind of animal.

[Will D. Ness]

JEE going down might be a bigger factor for our playoff woes than DE statuesque inflexibility.  Shaw too.  4th line was clicking, team was winning, division banner was in sight... and then the injuries.

[mnfaninnc]

16 hours ago, Willy the poor boy said:

How is he supposed to get past the first round with a lack of talent? I'm almost positive I've seen you write that quite often. I'm just trying to understand your thinking. They don't have the talent yet they are supposed to get past round 1 against teams who have the cap advantage and have far deeper teams. 

Let's put it this way: Mike Yeo was able to steal a series from Colorado, severely outmanned and St. Louis severely outmanned. How did he do it? He wasn't nearly as good of a regular season coach as Dean Evason. Yet, he came up with a plan that was able to take out teams that finished above them in the division. 

Dean Evason doesn't just have a track record of bringing an overachieving Wild team into the playoffs and flopping, he did the same thing in Milwaukee. At some point, 0-professional coaching career in the playoffs starts to look more at the coach than the players. One would think that with his regular season record, he would have at least a .500 coaching record in the playoffs. He doesn't, it abysmal. 

Joe Bouley pointed out specifics above as to why Evason might not be the coach going forward. I think some guys may become available soon. Sheldon Keefe is my personal favorite, yet, he has only won 1 NHL series. Yet, he has an AHL Championship trophy under his belt. Toronto has an "Under New Management" sign hanging from their office. If he became available, that would be my first choice.

Similarly, Pittsburgh has the same sign hanging from their headquarters. Mike Sullivan has 2 Stanley Cup rings on his fingers, and a relationship with Shooter. Sullivan's style of play probably agrees more with the way the Wild are built now, but maybe not with the new guys coming in. He could also be on the hot seat and would have to get a hard look as coach if available. 

Looking at what VGK did with their coaches, you'd have to see that a successful coach under 1 organization became available and they jumped. Now, they have the money to change coaches like one changes socks, but they go high profile. I would suggest Shooter does the same thing, specifically because the "cap penalties" that were given us were NOT real money penalties. While Shooter has kept the team competitive, butts in the seats and some playoff chances, he also has about 5 years of money savings that could go into arena improvements, or paying a coach who isn't coaching anymore. 

I'd say if the right coach becomes available, Shooter jumps. He replaced BB mid season with a team fighting for a playoff spot. He doesn't mind that mess. I just don't think he is convinced that Deano is his guy. He's the right guy for now, but now is well before the playoffs begin!

[mnfaninnc]

4 hours ago, M_Nels said:

Just have to wait and see if the new hire can turn them around. My prediction is that Dean will be given 1-2 seasons after the buyouts and if he can’t advance then yeah he’ll be gone but he’s severely handicapped until that time. 

I severely doubt he lasts that long. Evason has had a good run here in the regular season, but most coaches have an expiration date with time and hearing the same voice. I'd have to speculate that Evason's expiration date is fast approaching.

It isn't just the playoff series losses either. It's the manner in which they lost, being up 2-1 and then not being able to finish. A lot of that was a coach too slow to make countermoves. 

[mnfaninnc]

51 minutes ago, Will D. Ness said:

JEE going down might be a bigger factor for our playoff woes than DE statuesque inflexibility.  Shaw too.  4th line was clicking, team was winning, division banner was in sight... and then the injuries.

When you're down $15m due to cap penalties, you can field a competitive team that can win. But, you cannot really overcome injuries, you need to be healthy to make that run. Ek going down was horrible. That one showed we had no answers. So, how did Evason respond with missing him? He pushed all the wrong buttons, and it might have been that there were no right buttons either. 

Should Dewar have gotten a look higher in the lineup? Should Rossi have gotten a start? Should we have moved Boldy to center, maybe even on the top line as Hartman was hurt? Should Addison have been put in for Klingberg? 

I don't know if any of those buttons would have made a difference. But, the fact is, Evason did not try any of those that I can remember. 

[Up North Guy]

6 hours ago, M_Nels said:

Yeah let’s just to pluck a Cup winning coach from the fully in-bloom coaching tree. Do people on here actually understand how hard it is to find that caliber of coach on the open market in the offseason?

Yup, it is not easy. But teams seem to do it every year. There are always memes  going around about the NHL coaching carousel but quite a few are cup winning coaches. They have a short shelf life because they are very demanding and often jackasses, but they win, get fired, rehired, win....rinse and repeat. I want a coach who only wants to win. Hope the Wild find one before I die.

[Up North Guy]

6 hours ago, M_Nels said:

Yeah let’s just to pluck a Cup winning coach from the fully in-bloom coaching tree. Do people on here actually understand how hard it is to find that caliber of coach on the open market in the offseason?

Yup, it is not easy. But teams seem to do it every year. There are always memes  going around about the NHL coaching carousel but quite a few are cup winning coaches. They have a short shelf life because they are very demanding and often jackasses, but they win, get fired, rehired, win....rinse and repeat. I want a coach who only wants to win. Hope the Wild find one before I die.

[Up North Guy]

36 minutes ago, Up North Guy said:

Yup, it is not easy. But teams seem to do it every year. There are always memes  going around about the NHL coaching carousel but quite a few are cup winning coaches. They have a short shelf life because they are very demanding and often jackasses, but they win, get fired, rehired, win....rinse and repeat. I want a coach who only wants to win. Hope the Wild find one before I die.

Damn double posts.

[Willy the poor boy]

On 8/7/2023 at 7:55 PM, joebou15 said:

Oh and name me a prospect he's brought along that wasn't Uber talented when they arrived like Boldy and Kaprizov. I'll wait.

DE was a coach in the AHL advanced to assistant with the Wild and then HC. I hope your not saying he can't develop talent.

I would say Freddy G. I would say Dewar. I would say Hartman are three on this team. I'm not going to go back and see who he developed in the Natsville org. but I'm sure the names are a plenty.

Some of your other stuff. It's not like the Wild have the depth of other teams who don't have cap restrictions. Last year injuries to KK who didn't look like he had fully recovered and Jeek. What if there wasn't enough talent to jumble the lines? DE jumbles and they don't work and then he's railroaded for making changes. 

Everyone can say he's gotta get past the first round and they can also say the team is hamstrung and doesn't have enough talent.

I look for Dewar to take another step this year and add some more scoring and improving on some of the other things he's been good at as well.

 

[Willy the poor boy]

On 8/8/2023 at 5:45 AM, M_Nels said:

Yeah let’s just to pluck a Cup winning coach from the fully in-bloom coaching tree. Do people on here actually understand how hard it is to find that caliber of coach on the open market in the offseason? There’s a reason why they don’t come around much. Plus the coaches system has to match the players. Just off the top of my head a coach like Sutter would be a disaster with our lineup. 
 

Dean is frustrating at times, I get it. His stubbornness in mixing lines being one of them. Special teams has been our biggest achilles heel every postseason. Both scoring (even with ALL the talent we have) and definitely on the kill. Shaw being hurt didn’t do us any favors either. While Dean has the final say he has a coach designated to run them, akin to a coordinator in the NFL. 

 

Just have to wait and see if the new hire can turn them around. My prediction is that Dean will be given 1-2 seasons after the buyouts and if he can’t advance then yeah he’ll be gone but he’s severely handicapped until that time. 

Personally, I think we need to relinquish the 'State Of Hockey' mantra. When over 1/2 the fan base wants to fire arguably the best coach the franchise has ever had and whose given them a chance when most everybody has written them off before the season starts and wants Hartman traded because he's a bum, you have to wonder how much knowledge the state actually has, and that's just a couple of many examples. JMO...

[Willy the poor boy]

On 8/7/2023 at 7:21 PM, vonlonster67 said:

With the talent we are going to have and the salary cap we expect in 25-26 BG will have whatever coach he wishes that are available. 

If you want to settle for what you see on the ice as far as coaching? We're missing out.

Did you see what Vegas did with their coaching decisions. Do you want to make a Cup run with DE.

We're not gonna miss out on anything with BG. If you want to hope for the best keep living in DE shadow. The cap is an excuse, we had the opportunity in the playoffs the past two years and got outcoached.

The cap is an excue? Lol. The cap is what it is. Yes I do think DE is a Stanley Cup coach and I'll gladly take him.

[Willy the poor boy]

On 8/8/2023 at 10:17 AM, mnfaninnc said:

Let's put it this way: Mike Yeo was able to steal a series from Colorado, severely outmanned and St. Louis severely outmanned. How did he do it? He wasn't nearly as good of a regular season coach as Dean Evason. Yet, he came up with a plan that was able to take out teams that finished above them in the division. 

Dean Evason doesn't just have a track record of bringing an overachieving Wild team into the playoffs and flopping, he did the same thing in Milwaukee. At some point, 0-professional coaching career in the playoffs starts to look more at the coach than the players. One would think that with his regular season record, he would have at least a .500 coaching record in the playoffs. He doesn't, it abysmal. 

Joe Bouley pointed out specifics above as to why Evason might not be the coach going forward. I think some guys may become available soon. Sheldon Keefe is my personal favorite, yet, he has only won 1 NHL series. Yet, he has an AHL Championship trophy under his belt. Toronto has an "Under New Management" sign hanging from their office. If he became available, that would be my first choice.

Similarly, Pittsburgh has the same sign hanging from their headquarters. Mike Sullivan has 2 Stanley Cup rings on his fingers, and a relationship with Shooter. Sullivan's style of play probably agrees more with the way the Wild are built now, but maybe not with the new guys coming in. He could also be on the hot seat and would have to get a hard look as coach if available. 

Looking at what VGK did with their coaches, you'd have to see that a successful coach under 1 organization became available and they jumped. Now, they have the money to change coaches like one changes socks, but they go high profile. I would suggest Shooter does the same thing, specifically because the "cap penalties" that were given us were NOT real money penalties. While Shooter has kept the team competitive, butts in the seats and some playoff chances, he also has about 5 years of money savings that could go into arena improvements, or paying a coach who isn't coaching anymore. 

I'd say if the right coach becomes available, Shooter jumps. He replaced BB mid season with a team fighting for a playoff spot. He doesn't mind that mess. I just don't think he is convinced that Deano is his guy. He's the right guy for now, but now is well before the playoffs begin!

I agree with BG getting rid of Evason when he can. I've always maintained that's why he waited so long to give a contract. He just doesn't like the guy. It just got to a point Evason gave him no choice. But, unlike you, I think it will be a mistake by BG if he does. Time will tell.

[Protec]

It's an interesting discussion. Dean has been a good coach. Losing playoff records don't bode well though. Boudreau and Evason have had a poor playoff record but at least in MN has had handicaps, bad luck, and poor matchups. Dean not being able to beat Vegas in 7 games, STL who had MN's number all year, or Dallas without EK is not the worst. The goalie decisions are suspect but the team didn't lose on coaching alone. They had to score goals and play defense, and execute on special teams which they failed to do.

I think there's lots of MN knee-jerk reactions and shameless hyping. Guys who show up and do their job most of the time are under-appreciated in MN while flashy-Euro, superfast-stickhandlers, and finesse prospects do no wrong. 

We thought at the end of Paul Fenton that it would be years before the Wild could recover. It was relatively quick to right the ship under Guerin. #97 got signed and comes to the NHL where he wins the Calder and the Wild see a spark of hope. Now we're right back to doubting and saying, "what have you done for me lately?" HOF goalie is a loser, Hartman isn't worth 3M, Rossi is a 2C, and the list goes on. MN fans might wanna just stop and smell the roses because this is the best the Wild have looked overall since perhaps 2016-18 when trajectory had peaked.

[vonlonster67]

1 hour ago, Willy the poor boy said:

The cap is an excue? Lol. The cap is what it is. Yes I do think DE is a Stanley Cup coach and I'll gladly take him.

I agree with BG getting rid of Evason when he can. I've always maintained that's why he waited so long to give a contract. He just doesn't like the guy. It just got to a point Evason gave him no choice. But, unlike you, I think it will be a mistake by BG if he does. Time will tell.

Which one is it, cauz I'm now confused?

[vonlonster67]

1 hour ago, Willy the poor boy said:

DE was a coach in the AHL advanced to assistant with the Wild and then HC. I hope your not saying he can't develop talent.

I would say Freddy G. I would say Dewar. I would say Hartman are three on this team. I'm not going to go back and see who he developed in the Natsville org. but I'm sure the names are a plenty.

Some of your other stuff. It's not like the Wild have the depth of other teams who don't have cap restrictions. Last year injuries to KK who didn't look like he had fully recovered and Jeek. What if there wasn't enough talent to jumble the lines? DE jumbles and they don't work and then he's railroaded for making changes. 

Everyone can say he's gotta get past the first round and they can also say the team is hamstrung and doesn't have enough talent.

I look for Dewar to take another step this year and add some more scoring and improving on some of the other things he's been good at as well.

 

Freddy is a product of his hard work and commitment, same with Hartman when he chooses to play; Dewey2 has worked his ass off in IA, DE had nothing to do with developing any of these players. Are you gonna say he developed KK and Boldy too?

[vonlonster67]

On 8/8/2023 at 11:59 AM, Up North Guy said:

Yup, it is not easy. But teams seem to do it every year. There are always memes  going around about the NHL coaching carousel but quite a few are cup winning coaches. They have a short shelf life because they are very demanding and often jackasses, but they win, get fired, rehired, win....rinse and repeat. I want a coach who only wants to win. Hope the Wild find one before I die.

Vegas made it look pretty easy and Dallas isn't far behind? How about Florida, Colorado? They all made changes when the coach didn't fit the path to the Cup.

[vonlonster67]

1 hour ago, Protec said:

It's an interesting discussion. Dean has been a good coach. Losing playoff records don't bode well though. Boudreau and Evason have had a poor playoff record but at least in MN has had handicaps, bad luck, and poor matchups. Dean not being able to beat Vegas in 7 games, STL who had MN's number all year, or Dallas without EK is not the worst. The goalie decisions are suspect but the team didn't lose on coaching alone. They had to score goals and play defense, and execute on special teams which they failed to do.

I think there's lots of MN knee-jerk reactions and shameless hyping. Guys who show up and do their job most of the time are under-appreciated in MN while flashy-Euro, superfast-stickhandlers, and finesse prospects do no wrong. 

We thought at the end of Paul Fenton that it would be years before the Wild could recover. It was relatively quick to right the ship under Guerin. #97 got signed and comes to the NHL where he wins the Calder and the Wild see a spark of hope. Now we're right back to doubting and saying, "what have you done for me lately?" HOF goalie is a loser, Hartman isn't worth 3M, Rossi is a 2C, and the list goes on. MN fans might wanna just stop and smell the roses because this is the best the Wild have looked overall since perhaps 2016-18 when trajectory had peaked.

We cant be satisfied to be just good or great, but exceptional is needed and I agree we can appreciate our players, but there is also accountability, consistency, and sometimes change needed to go beyond status quo and BG made that happen thus far, no one else!

We cant just sit back and smell the roses and be glad where were are at because that hasn't happen since the North Star days in '91, that is the problem if your not looking ahead and have a plan and a vision, NO CUP!

[joebou15]

3 hours ago, Willy the poor boy said:

Personally, I think we need to relinquish the 'State Of Hockey' mantra. When over 1/2 the fan base wants to fire arguably the best coach the franchise has ever had and whose given them a chance when most everybody has written them off before the season starts and wants Hartman traded because he's a bum, you have to wonder how much knowledge the state actually has, and that's just a couple of many examples. JMO...

I agree with you. The State of Hockey only enables Minnesota Hockey exceptionalism. It's entitlement that the NHL somehow owes the Wild and state the cup for being the one state that pumps out Hockey talent.

That said, I don't believe Dean is doing anything to make the team better. He's just trying to not to mess up. And in the postseason, that's what gets him beat. Look at his overall coaching record in any postseason in any league. It's not anything to get excited over.

 

[mnfaninnc]

15 hours ago, joebou15 said:

And in the postseason, that's what gets him beat. Look at his overall coaching record in any postseason in any league. It's not anything to get excited over.

This is where the final grade on Evason is earned. 

Before Evason was extended I asked the same question, was he the right coach for this team. The conundrum was that he had earned the extension, much like Yeo had earned his years before. Step 1 is an invitation to the playoffs, and he checked off that box and has continued to do so in years where his club has had to overachieve to do it.

But, now comes expectations as we get more talent. Evason changed us from the high flying, come from behind artists we were in '21-22 to the stingy, grit oriented group we were in '22-23, so he can change. More talent and skill is coming so he'll have to change his concept to accommodate that. But, the cloud hanging over his head is 0-professional coaching career playoff series mark. And, in most series, he's been owned. At some point, with a record like that, you have to start looking at the coach in any analysis. 

I'd have to say based upon the regular season, Evason has earned the opportunity to coach the '23-24 team. However, if the right coach becomes available, and I'm sure Shooter has a short list of guys he'd want, I believe Shooter will pull that trigger quickly. After all, he's already done it with BB in the heat of a playoff chase. 

So, I'd like to suggest that Evason is still here, mainly, because the right option is not available. Shooter is well aware of Evason's playoff record. He is also well aware of Evason's propensity to not change or tweak quick enough in the playoffs. It is also true that Coach Q had little success before going to Chicago. Now he's a guru. I'd also like to point out that many coach/front office guys have come out of the Hartford Whalers tree, and the Hartford Whalers never won anything. Sometimes, you need that winning experience to get to the next level. There's nothing quite like shiny rings on someone's finger to get the attention of those who are listening.

[PNW Wild]

I am hoping that his career ends up like a center with similar size who was drafted 19th in 2003... Getzlaf. Not sure why I haven't seen the comparison hasn't been made. Maybe the playing styles don't match but the size and position do. 

[Protec]

20 hours ago, vonlonster67 said:

We cant be satisfied to be just good or great, but exceptional is needed and I agree we can appreciate our players, but there is also accountability, consistency, and sometimes change needed to go beyond status quo and BG made that happen thus far, no one else!

We cant just sit back and smell the roses and be glad where were are at because that hasn't happen since the North Star days in '91, that is the problem if your not looking ahead and have a plan and a vision, NO CUP!

I'm not saying the Wild should be too happy or complacent, rather that we don't know for sure it does get better in these next two years in terms of adding impact players from outside. So the point is, let's look at what we've got internally and appreciate the success MN has had with underdog type guys filling in some big roles. I'd like to see them continue to compete and be rewarded with success but I'm being patient and considering the realities about the Wild's chances? It's gonna take more shuffle by Guerin to further build the roster if prospects can't get the job done. I don't see Guerin and Dean plugging in more than one new player full time from the prospect group until there's an injury. In the big picture, it appears that if young guys don't make a big jump the Wild will be in a tough spot to improve the roster. When you come up against Vegas or Colorado, will MN be able to get it done? Dean might not be the only reason the Wild don't get over the hump. Stability is good, MN has a solid foundation. I think Dean has to really goof it up to get on the hot seat. His playoff record has stunk but I don't think that's the whole story. I've been saying for awhile, Guerin has been making small gains, and safely giving out contracts that are good value and can be moved or that are safe for the organization. The prospect value is also a positive under Guerin's time. That paints an image of the plan to get free from the 11 & 20 deals. Its gonna be a waiting game. Rather than get too anxious, I'm saying take the wins and all we can do is hope the players execute like they should.

[Protec]

We can want lots of big progress and demand Guerin keep grinding it out in the front office but is it really possible to expect too much under the circumstances?

Therefore, don't phone it in but we should try to appreciate that the Wild are a playoff team with nice prospects we wanna see make it.