Oilers put team in hands of Eakins

‘Just being talented isn’t good enough’

EDMON TON • If there’s anything about the jump from the American Hockey League to the National Hockey League that requires an adjustment, Dallas Eakins figures it will come by way of his media requirements.

Otherwise, as far as the Edmonton Oilers new head coach is concerned, the players may have more adjusting to do.

Eakins, 46, was ushered in as the next head coach of the Edmonton franchise on Monday. He’ll be the fifth coach to tutor the Oilers in six seasons, succeeding Ralph Krueger, who was fired on Saturday after just 48 games, Tom Renney (2010-2012), Pat Quinn (2009) and Craig MacTavish (2000-2008).

He will take the reins of a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2006 and has been in a rebuilding phase since 2010 — a project that began under Steve Tambellini, who was replaced by MacTavish in April.

“Just being talented isn’t good enough,” said Eakins, who spent the last four seasons coaching the AHL Toronto Marlies, during which time he registered a record of 157-114-41 while developing the likes of Nazem Kadri and Jake Gardiner.

Prior to that, he worked as an assistant coach with the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs from 2006-08 under thenhead coach Paul Maurice, and he spent one season as the club’s director of player development. He was named the Marlies head coach on Aug. 4, 2009.

Eleven players graduated from the Marlies to the Leafs during the lockout-shortened season and Toronto, which finished 26th in 2011-2012, made its first playoff appearance in nine years, pushing the Boston Bruins to seven games in the opening round.

“It’s very simple to me. You can’t just be a defensive team and you can’t just be an offensive team. In a perfect world, I want to be able to push the pace as high as I can — not only with our speed and our skill but our fitness level,” Eakins said.

“I want players to be so fit that if I ask a forward to play 26 minutes, he can play 26 minutes at a high level … That is something I am passionate about. That is non-negotiable.”

Born in Dade City, Fla., Eakins spent his formative years in Canada, playing defence with the Peterborough Petes in the Ontario Hockey League.

Drafted by the Washington Capitals in the 10th round in 1985, Eakins played 120 games in the NHL before he retired as a player after the 2004 season.

He was interviewed by MacTavish, president Kevin Lowe and vice-president Scott Howson on June 1 for the post of associate head coach under Krueger. During the course of the four-hour interview, MacTavish said he realized that Eakins was better served in a primary role.

MacTavish stayed in Toronto over the weekend to have further discussions with Eakins, which in turn led to the firing of Krueger.