Dallas Eakins fired by Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers ... ugh.
Just 10 days ago, general manager Craig MacTavish looked to announce his "forensic" investigation into his disaster of a team, which he didn't think was a disaster.
And after basically saying that he wasn't going to create more coaching upheaval -- that's exactly what the Oilers did Monday, announcing head coach Dallas Eakins has been relieved of his duties of coaching the Western Conference’s worst team, after just one-and-a-half years behind the bench.
Let's harken back to the recent past when 'Sherlock' MacTavish, during his press conference on Dec. 5, intimated there would not be a coaching change.
“Coaching is under scrutiny, but in my mind, at this time, to make a coaching change … we’ve changed assistant coaches. We’ve brought in co-coaches. We’ve brought in former coaches. Four coaching changes … as I said earlier, those coaches were all delivering the same message. We need a higher level of execution.”
Since Nov. 9, the Oilers have had more press conferences (two) than wins (one).
(UPDATED) MacTavish himself will step behind the bench on an interim basis, while Edmonton promoted AHL Oklahoma City Oil Barons head coach Todd Nelson to serve as an Oilers assistant coach. MacTavish indicated that Nelson could take as Edmonton's head coach before the end of the season. Lucky fella...
Regardless of what happens, this doesn’t change the cycle of absurdity in Edmonton.
Now it will be six coaches since 2008-09? And three first overall picks in the process?
Clearly this is more systemic than changing just one guy … again.
How can we expect anything but disaster in Edmonton. But … it is Edmonton.
If only “Oil Change” was still on NHL Network. That would probably be more like the reality TV show “Survivor” at this point.
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