Just nine days before the Christmas of 2014, Dallas Eakins found himself unemployed after being fired by the Edmonton Oilers.

It was a tumultuous 18 months in charge of the Oilers, who to this day continue to be a rudderless ship in the NHL with inept management making the task of the coaching staff that much more difficult.
Not that Dallas Eakins shifted the blame however – that’s not in his character, as the team under his tenure posted a 36-63-14 record despite small signs he was beginning to turn the tide somewhat in their overall play.

Previous to his first head coaching job in the NHL, the 52 year was hot property after doing an excellent job in Toronto.
Following a year as an Assistant Coach during the Toronto Marlies inaugural season and then two seasons in the same role with the Maple Leafs, Eakins was handed the Toronto top job back in the AHL.

It took two full seasons for the Florida native to fully implement his blueprint, though Toronto would not post a losing record in any season with him at the helm.

After twice failing to make the playoffs, Toronto reached the Calder Cup Final in 2012 for the first time in their history but fell to the juggernaut that were the Norfolk Admirals.

The following year saw Toronto fall in the Conference Final but Eakins left the Marlies in a far better state than when he arrived and enabled the organisation to build a fan base for an ailing team that struggled to pull in the crowds since being relocated to the city.

So where was the coaching career of Eakins heading as the calendar year of 2015 turned?
No answer would be forthcoming until June.

The American League was expanding with a brand new Pacific Division and he was hired by Anaheim to coach their brand spanking new farm club.

It’s no mean task to build a team from scratch but a clean slate was exactly what the doctor ordered as the former defenseman was able to stamp his mark on the San Diego Gulls from the bottom to the top.

In four seasons the Gulls posted a 154-95-23 record, twice made the second round and most recently made it to the Western Conference Final before losing in six games to Chicago.

With Randy Carlyle fired by Anaheim, speculation was rife that the organisation would opt for an internal hire.
Anaheim General Manager Bob Murray refused to be rushed into a decision after firing the previous incumbent in February, instead waiting until June 17 to name Eakins as the franchise’s 10th head coach.

Expectations are lower in Anaheim than at anytime in the past 15 years and perhaps that is a blessing for a coach looking to shine in his second opportunity at the NHL level.
A familiarity with the organisation and the players gives Eakins an edge, and already benefiting from his tutelage are exciting prospects Maxime Comtois, Troy Terry and Sam Steel.

Many coaches never receive a second shot in the NHL after the first go-around goes awry but Eakins has earned this opportunity and is far better placed to enjoy success this time around.

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