Blues’ head coach sings Eakins’ praises
Naming Dallas Eakins the new head coach of the Edmonton Oilers is the key change new GM Craig MacTavish made to his team in the last two months, says St. Louis Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock.
“That was the most important move Craig MacTavish made this summer,” said Hitchcock, the Canadian Olympic associate coach, who was in Edmonton on Friday speaking at the Chateau Louis Hotel & Conference Centre.
Hitchcock, who turns 62 in December, sees Eakins, who’s just 46, as an old-school, black and white straightforward bench boss. Kind of like himself, actually.
“I’ve known Dallas for 10 years — in conversations at coaching clinics. I told people four years ago that this is a young man who’ll be a good coach. His candid approach to things will work long term.
“He understands that there’s a certain level of work that has to be put in, he’s demanding of that … you can see that in his personal life (Eakins is in great shape). The way he carries himself is impressive,” said Hitchcock, who knows Eakins preaches digging deeper.
“He’s going to demand things of the Oilers players they’ve never done before and they’re going to find it quite difficult. Quite frankly, some of the players are out of the barn, but he’ll gather them all back in.”
Hitchcock said Eakins is “going to say things that make the players squeamish, but he’s going to be one of the best things you’ve had (in Edmonton). He’s tough.It’s not about getting past the original effort, it’s getting into the second and third effort. He knows how to push that.
“I saw how his team (Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League) worked. I saw his team three times last year.”
Eberle, Hall good t?
As for the Olympics, Hitchcock said Oilers forwards Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle would be good fits for Team Canada at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.
Both Hall and Eberle are natural wingers on a team that could have five centres (Patrice Bergeron, Mike Richards, Eric Staal, Claude Giroux, Steve Stamkos) maybe moving over to the wing, making it difficult for guys who just play the wing, Hitchcock said.
“You have to be able to skate to play in this Olympics over in Russia. Guys like Eberle and Hall fit (on a big European surface). They’ve got maturity to their games.
“They know how to play and they’ve done well on the big ice (internationally). They’ve earned the right to come to (Canada’s orientation) camp (Aug. 25-28 in Calgary) to learn things. Because there’s no ice (skating sessions with line combinations because insurance against injury is too high), things are going to be determined (for many players) on what they do in October, November and December), however.”
Perron has ‘an edge’
Former Blues forward David Perron, who was dealt to the Oilers for Magnus Paajarvi on July 10, should boost Edmonton’s offence, Hitchcock said.
“David plays left or right (side) and he’s a competitive offensive player. He can play reckless at times. He’s got an edge to him.