First head coach of the off season relieved of duties
The Anaheim Ducks finished the regular season in the basement of the NHL with a record of 23-47-12. Going into the season the expectations weren't very high with the team relying heavy on the young stars of the future in Trevor Zegras, Mason McTavish and Troy Terry.
Finishing last in the NHL gives the Ducks the highest possible chance to land the #1 overall pick soon to be Connor Bedard. Someone had to pay for the team finishing last and according to Elliotte Friedman that person will be head coach Dallas Eakins. The team announced today that they won't be renewing Eakins' contract.
Eakins' contract expired at the end of this season after new general manager Pat Verbeek picked up an option on his deal prior to the 2022-23 campaign.
The 56 year old was named Ducks coach in 2019 after coaching their AHL affiliate in San Diego for four years. Anaheim lost its final 13 games of the season to finish last in the league. In his four years as head coach of the Ducks Eakins missed the playoffs in all of them.
update:
Dallas Eakins just released this statement thanking the Ducks organization.
| POLL | ||
Do you think Dallas Eakins will get another NHL coaching job? | ||
| Yes, good with young players will be around | 25 | 28.4 % |
| No, Always coaching teams with losing records | 26 | 29.5 % |
| Maybe as an assistant coach first | 37 | 42 % |
| List of polls | ||
