Marlies unite in praise of Eakins
‘Players’ coach’ lauded in wake of Leafs snub
When Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke named Dallas Eakins as the Marlies’ head coach in August 2009, he said the job called for a leader, parent, disciplinarian, teacher and priest.
In three years with the Leafs’ top farm team, Eakins has filled that role, developing young players and turning the Marlies into a Calder Cup contender this season.
“He’s the glue that keeps the puzzle together,” said top prospect Nazem Kadri, 21. “He’s the quarterback, so to speak, that gives us all the faith and confidence that we need to be successful.”
Winless in their last three games — including Wednesday’s 2-0 loss to the Binghamton Senators before 7,430 screaming students on Catholic schools day at the Ricoh Coliseum — the Marlies remain in first place in the Northeast Division and second in the Western Conference. They’ve clinched an AHL playoff spot, their first under Eakins.
Burke considered Eakins, 45, for the Leafs’ head coaching job when he fired Ron Wilson last Friday, but opted for Nhl-experienced Randy Carlyle. For now, Eakins remains committed to winning an AHL championship. But every player in the Marlies dressing room insists Eakins will be a dynamite NHL coach when he gets the chance — which might not take long.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if some team steals him for next season,” said centre Joe Colborne, 22. “There’s no doubt in my mind he’ll be a very successful NHL coach.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that he’ll be a very successful NHL coach.”
JOE COLBORNE MARLIES CENTRE, ON HEAD COACH DALLAS EAKINS
“What it comes down to is that he actually cares about his players. You want to go through a brick wall for him, and win for him. There’s huge respect for him in this dressing room. From the first line to the fourth line, he commands respect. Nobody wants to let him down. He’s such a great teacher.”
In his brief nine-game stint with the Leafs earlier this season, Col- borne, the 6-foot-5 centre from Calgary, was primarily used as a top-six forward. He’s always been a scorer, but like most young players his defensive play was lacking. “From day one when I came here, he’s been a breath of fresh air for me,” Colborne said. “Since coming here, my defensive play has skyrocketed. I’m much more confident in my own zone. I feel now, more than ever in my career, that I can step in as a third-line player and contribute. If that’s the role I need to play to crack the big team, I know I can do it.” Probably no other Toronto draft pick has had more ups and downs than Kadri, picked seventh overall in 2009. Never lacking in confidence, Kadri can’t say enough about Eakins.
“Words can’t describe what he’s meant to me,” Kadri said. “I know my career has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride . . . but instead of him squeezing his hands around my neck and making me feel more nervous, he just comforted me and got me to settle down. He understands that I can change the game in the course of a play. But he also understands that I’m going to turn the puck over. When you have a coach like him, you just want to win so badly for him.”
Under Eakins’ guidance, Korbinian Holzer has developed into an Nhl-calibre defenceman. His progress allowed Burke to trade top blueline prospect Keith Aulie to Tampa for AHL rookie Carter Ashton, called up Wednesday by the Leafs.
“He’s a great players’ coach,” Holzer said. “He involves his players. He treats us with respect. He’s also a great motivator. His speeches before games and in between periods get the most out of us. He always finds the right words to fire us up.”
Colborne thinks Carlyle’s hiring bodes well for his future and others who get a shot with the Leafs.
“The Leafs were more of a runand-gun team, whereas the Marlies are more of a puck-control and puck-possession team,” Colborne said.
“I think Carlyle plays a similar style to Eakins, so that should be good for my career.”