An emotional Dallas Eakins refused to criticize Edmonton Oilers GM Craig McTavish, and stood behind the organization that just let him go.
“If anybody is going to find a solution, it’s going to be Craig McTavish,” Eakins said, his voice shaking, a day after he was fired.
“My message to the people is that you need to be patient. I understand being out of the playoffs, but the situation is the situation,” Eakins stated.
The Oilers are the worst team in the NHL with a 7-19-5 record.
Todd Nelson has been named interim head coach for the Oilers, who take on the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday night. McTavish be the transitional coach until Nelson is able to take over full time.
As the Oilers spiralled to the basement of the NHL, losing 15 of their past 16 games, rumours started to float around the club that the players were getting used to losing. That they had perhaps quit on the coach.
Eakins said none of that is true.
“The Taylor Hall rumours ate at me,” Eakins said, defending the Oilers’ star forward. “They are a coachable group.”
Eakins said he plans to remain in Edmonton with his family and has no plans to move right now.
Now that Eakins is out, who should be next?
Source:: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/dallas-eakins-oilers-fans-need-to-stay-patient-1.2874826?cmp=rss
