The Edmonton Oilers were able to string together three consecutive wins over the past week and it couldn’t have come at a better time. After starting the year 0-4-1, the Oilers were floundering and barely looked competitive. The blame, as always, fell on the head coach and Dallas Eakins’ job appeared to be in serious jeopardy. It turns out those three wins at home may have spared Eakins.
As seen in the Toronto Sun, details have surfaced stating that the club’s three-game win streak at home saved Eakins’ job. At least for the time being.
Now that they’ve won three home games in a row, the heat is off Edmonton coach Dallas Eakins. For now. But had the wins not come in the homestand, the Oilers were preparing to make a coaching change. The man they were already sniffing around: Mark Messier.
Did three wins really save Eakins’ job? Maybe, but it’s probably just a case of timing. It doesn’t make sense to fire your coach when the team is winning. With that in mind, it’s clear the Oilers have other plans in mind that don’t involve Eakins and they’ll be ready to pounce on them when the timing is right.
If this report is true, you have to imagine Eakins won’t survive the year barring some sort of crazy, unbelievable season from the Oilers. The club was ready to call on a new option just a handful of games into 2014-15, so it’s easy to outline a series of scenarios in which Eakins will receive a pink slip.
