The man most responsible for the Edmonton Oilers horrible 33-63-14 record under fired head coach Dallas Eakins is not actually Eakins but instead general manager Craig MacTavish. The Oilers general manager flipped out in love with Eakins while interviewing him for an assistant coach job in the summer of 2013.
MacTavish was so smitten that he took to Skype to fire then head coach Ralph Krueger, despite the fact that Krueger led the Oilers to their best record in six seasons. Krueger won praise for developing Edmonton’s young roster and for his excellent teaching abilities. But Eakins was the flavor of the month after being touted as the next Scotty Bowman by a Toronto media that was enamored with Eakins success as a minor league coach with the Toronto Marlies.
Totally Deserved
There is little doubt that Eakins should have been fired. In fact, he probably never should have been hired. He departs after Sunday’s home loss to the New York Rangers that extended the most miserable string of hockey in Oilers history in which Edmonton won just one out of 16 games.
Eakins had a demeanor that came off as being all about himself. At his introductory press conference he bragged that no team in the NHL would compete harder than his Oilers. It turned out to be just the opposite case as Edmonton players long ago tuned out Eakins and his eccentric ways.
Eakins brought health snacks to that first press conference and announced to the press that he was cutting off their donuts. He also showed up the Oiler players last year by having them drive to practice in rush hour during the regular commute to show what it’s like to be a regular working stiff. Such antics quickly backfired and produced negative results.
Lack of Respect
Eakins’ teams never played any defense nor seemed inclined to do so. There was absolutely no fear of Eakins and his demands. The defensive structure was poorly planned and there is a gaping hole of missing blue line talent but the lack of effort falls squarely on Eakins. So does the fact that the Oilers regressed under his ineffective leadership. The blank stares and empty gazes on the Oilers bench during games spoke volumes about Eakins ineffectiveness.
Number One’s Invisible
Edmonton has a roster that includes number one draft picks from 2010, 2011, and 2012 with a number three pick in 2014. Their 2013 pick was the seventh overall selection. And yet all of this young talent has gone to waste under what has to be considered the worst front office in the NHL with President Kevin Lowe and general manager Craig MacTavish.
Old Boys Club Destroying Franchise from Within
Lowe and MacTavish are former Oiler players from the 1980’s Glory Days and part of a club leadership structure that has mismanaged the team to epic proportions.
The firing of Krueger is the best example of the stupidity of the organization. He was the one coach that seemed to have found answers and developed the team with momentum towards the future. The foolish theory that Eakins was an upgrade may set back the organization for years to come.
There is hope that Bob Nicholson, former head of Hockey Canada and vice Chairman of the Oilers Entertainment Group, will gain more influence and bust up the Good Old Boys Club.
Lottery Prayers
Edmonton is out of the playoff race already and on the inside track for the top draft lottery pick in what will be a rich 2015 NHL draft led by superstars Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel. One has to wonder, however, if McDavid and or Eichel would really want to come lose in freezing Edmonton. Would they even go as far as Eric Lindros and refuse to report to duty in Edmonton just as Lindros refused to don a Quebec Nordiques sweater when drafted by them. Once again Edmonton will have a high pick but what reason is there to believe that they will get the most out of such an asset?
For Now
Todd Nelson has been promoted from head coach of Edmonton’s Oklahoma City farm team to be groomed to take over as head coach after MacTavish works with him behind the bench for a few games. Nelson has our sympathy.
