December 15, 2014: The date Dallas Eakins was relived of his duties by the Edmonton Oilers just 18 months into his tenure.

The Oilers went 36-63-14 under Eakins in parts of two seasons, though he wasn’t given much help by the General Manager Craig MacTavish and nothing much has changed in that regard in the organisation.

Eakins reputation may have taken a knock during his tenure in Edmonton but the Anaheim Ducks wasted little time hiring him in June, 2015, just after the American Hockey League season had concluded.

Under the 51 year olds leadership, the San Diego Gulls have twice made the playoffs (making it to the second round on each occasion) and only missed out last year on a tiebreak after the inept points percentage system failed to solve anything.

A 6-4 victory against Ontario Reign on February 8, 2019 brought up an historic landmark for Eakins as he became just the 21st head coach in AHL history to reach 300 wins.
It took him 560 games to achieve the milestone with a 300-199-27-34 record (the AHL separates OTL and SOL).

After four seasons with the Toronto Marlies (including coaching them to a Calder Cup Final) Eakins has posted a 143-85-12-8 record (with San Diego) in 248 games to lead the Pacific Division in all-time wins, points (306) and points percentage (.617%) since the division’s inception in 2015.

The following day was somewhat of a letdown for the Florida native as the red-hot Bakersfield Condors handed San Diego a 7-1 thumping (such is the nature of the AHL) but there is little doubt that Eakins’ reputation is back on the up and he should be in the conversation for the vacant NHL job in Anaheim.