Wild's Yeo stands behind Sydor after arrest: 'I know he can get back to where he was'

Mike Yeo hopes to welcome back one of his long-standing assistant coaches at some point.

For now, the Minnesota Wild bench boss is wishing Darryl Sydor well following Sydor's drunk driving arrest Aug. 20, and subsequent entry into a treatment program.

"(Sydor) was great last year," Yeo, who supported Sydor through treatment for alcoholism last summer, told Michael Russo of the Star Tribune. "Unfortunately he had a setback here, but I know he can get back to where he was last year. We just want to do everything we can to support him and give him a chance to get better."

With three other assistants in the mix as training camp nears, there are no plans to replace Sydor. Yeo does, however, appear willing to welcome Sydor back behind the bench, pending successful treatment.

"We'll be fine," Yeo said. "My only focus is Darryl getting better right now. We care about him. I know he's a good person. This is obviously a very big mistake and a real tough thing for him and his family, so I just want to be there for them right now.

"Once he gets through what he needs to get through, he's going to have to figure out where he's at. But I don't see any reason why things would change."

Sydor has served as a Wild assistant for four seasons, and also worked on Yeo's coaching staff with the AHL's Houston Aeros in 2010-11.