NHL: Oilers name Eakins as coach

Dallas Eakins, a former assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs, was named the new coach of the National Hockey League’s Edmonton Oilers on Monday.

Eakins, a 46-year-old American, becomes the fifth coach in six years for the Oilers, who have missed the playoffs for seven seasons in a row. Ralph Krueger was fired from the job on Saturday after just one season.

For the past four seasons, Eakins has coached the Toronto Marlies, the top developmental club of the Maple Leafs. Eakins went 157-114-41 with the club and helped develop a core of talent that advanced to the Maple Leafs.

“I’m extremely confident in this man’s ability to lead our hockey club,” said Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish.

Eakins, a former defenceman who played over parts of 10 NHL seasons with eight different clubs, takes over a club with top young playmakers such as recent NHL Draft top picks Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nail Yakupov.

“Winning is the bottom line,” Eakins said. “Everything we do here will have that in mind. We’re going to be committed to character, a high fitness level and tactical hockey. This team is going to compete.”