First head coach of the offseason given notice he won't return
The Anaheim Ducks officially clinched distinction as the last place team in the NHL for the 2022-2023 season. with a record of 23-47-12. The franchise now has the highest possible chance to land the future 1st overall pick Connor Bedard.
Someone has to pay for the team's faults and that person will be Dallas Eakins. NHL Insider Elliott Friedman first reported that Anaheim 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.
Eakins took over as head coach for the Ducks in the summer of 2019 after having spent four years behind the bench of their American Hockey League affiliate San Diego Gulls. He had also previously served as the head coach of the Edmonton Oilers.
"We thank Dallas for his eight years with the organization as head coach of both the Ducks and Gulls,"
said Ducks owner Henry Samueli. "Susan and I are especially proud of his commitment to the community in both Anaheim and San Diego, which included countless charitable initiatives. We know Dallas will succeed in his future endeavors, as character people often do."
"This was a very difficult decision, one that comes after careful and considerable deliberation,"
said Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek. "At the end of the day, I simply feel that a fresh perspective and new voice will be beneficial for the team. Dallas has handled himself with class and character through a difficult season, and we wish him the best in the future."
The Ducks missed the playoffs in all four seasons that Eakins was the head coach.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 14 | 242 ANSWERS First head coach of the offseason given notice he won't return Do you think Dallas Eakins will get another NHL coaching job? | ||
| Yes, good with young players | 55 | 22.7 % |
| No, always coaching teams with losing records | 69 | 28.5 % |
| Maybe as an assistant coach first | 118 | 48.8 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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