Edmonton Oilers Fire Head Coach Dallas Eakins
The Edmonton Oilers have reportedly fired head coach Dallas Eakins.
So much for not panicking.
Less than two weeks after Edmonton Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish addressed the media about the current state of the team and told reporters that a coaching change would not be the right course of action, the Oilers have fired head coach Dallas Eakins.
Sources say Dallas Eakins has been fired at head coach of the Oilers. Details to follow.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 15, 2014
I just….I don’t….(sigh). This organization, man.
Why now? What changed in a week and a half? The team didn’t get any worse, because they can’t get any worse. They were dead last a week and a half ago and they’re still dead last. Not much is going to change in a week and a half. If they were going to fire Eakins, why not just do it when you held the press conference?!
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This makes me so angry, and I don’t even care about the Edmonton Oilers (no offense Edmonton fans, nothing personal).
Dallas Eakins was hired prior to the 2013-14 by Edmonton after having a lot of success in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies. In his first season behind the Oiler bench, Eakins went 22-44-9. Horrible record, but that’s to be expected when you inherit a horrible team that’s in rebuild mode. So far this season, Edmonton is dead last in the NHL with 19 points and a 7-19-5 record.
Confirming MacTavish returns to bench on interim basis. Replacing Eakins who was fired this morning.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 15, 2014
Oh, wonderful. Just what the Oilers need. Someone who can’t make up their mind behind the bench.
General manager Craig MacTavish will apparently take over head coaching duties for the remainder of the season, or until a replacement is found. They likely won’t hire anyone until the end of the season though.
Time and time again we are seeing coaches taking the fall for what’s happening in Edmonton. The only consistent has been management and, oh yea, the players. Instead of cleaning house time and time again with the coaching staff, since that’s clearly doing wonders, maybe the Oilers should start cleaning house with the players and actually shake up the team.
All they talk about is that the players need to be held accountable. Well, then hold them accountable! Stop blaming it on the coaches and fix what actually needs fixing.