Leafs knew Eakins would be scooped up...why would you think it upset the Leafs that Gillis gave him 2 interviews? It has zero impact.
If anything, the Canucks lost out...
- BoBBeR56

In no way did the Canucks interview Eakins twice to mess with the Leafs. The Canucks opted not to put out an offer to Eakins because they didn't want him (right now anyways).

Exactly. Nonis gave Gillis permission to talk to him. Why else would he do this?
- Ihatebrianburke

He didn't need permission, just a courteous formality due to his window of opportunity to seek a head coaching job in the NHL. Eakins is a great young coach, but there are several of them out there in the hockey world!

Gillis liked him, but he didn't want him because he has no NHL head coaching experience.
- KB3Point0

So why interview #2 then? Doesn't make sense.

Eakins picked the Oilers over Vancouver, Dallas, New York.


What's the big deal?



- robin_steele264

sure...

Vancouver talked with him for two weeks and never made an offer. That tells you all you need to know about the interest level they had in Eakins...

Jim Nill is on record as saying he wants a veteran coach who has won at the NHL level...

The Rangers have been connected to AV, Messier, Ruff and Tippet and ALL are believed to be ahead of Eakins...

He didn't need permission, just a courteous formality due to his window of opportunity to seek a head coaching job in the NHL. Eakins is a great young coach, but there are several of them out there in the hockey world!
- LeftCoaster

He did need permission. Eakins was still T.O's property

So why interview #2 then? Doesn't make sense.
- Ihatebrianburke

Assistant maybe? I don't know it's freaking Gillis. He like to take 6 months to make a decission.

He did need permission. Eakins was still T.O's property
- Ihatebrianburke

No he didn't...from what I've read.

So why interview #2 then? Doesn't make sense.
- Ihatebrianburke

It's all part of Michael D. Gillis' "process."

sure...

Vancouver talked with him for two weeks and never made an offer. That tells you all you need to know about the interest level they had in Eakins...

Jim Nill is on record as saying he wants a veteran coach who has won at the NHL level...

The Rangers have been connected to AV, Messier, Ruff and Tippet and ALL are believed to be ahead of Eakins...
- IanEsplen

Sure.

In no way did the Canucks interview Eakins twice to mess with the Leafs. The Canucks opted not to put out an offer to Eakins because they didn't want him (right now anyways).
- KB3Point0

Exactly. I think Eakins is a better fit in Edmonton with all their youth.

My guess is Steven's or Bylsma (if available). Hopefully MG doesn't procrastinate, however I can't see that (not) happening.

Eakins picked the Oilers over Vancouver, Dallas, New York.


What's the big deal?



- robin_steele264

Ill tell you how it went, Edmonton had no chance to get a high profile coach, they went all in on Eakins and made an offer right away. You think Edmonton had a chance with Rupp, Vigneault, Stevens, etc think again. An established coach looks at the imbalance of that roster and instability revolving door of that front office, and the 1 coach per year mantality and says "no thank you". The Canucks and other big market teams are interviewing "ALL" the candidates and didnt make there all in offer on Eakins because they go through a process. Edmonton knows that they cant compete for the big names, so they don't go through the big process, and just go for there guy. The bar is set so low in Edmonton, a coach with no experience will take it to get his shot. The Oilers have been selling hope for a long time and I dont think people are getting fooled anymore. There was no competition for the Edmonton job, Mac T made up his mind and went for it, this is how the Oilers do business. If comparing the Oilers to a prom date, they choose the fat girl that wouldn't turn them down, the Canucks, Rangers etc are getting there choice of the prom queen, aka the experienced/ established NHL coach. The Oilers also dont develop there players, they rush them and give them spots right away because there team is so bad, this is why there never good, there generally a very impatient old boys club organization. 3 GM in 5 years and 5 coaches in 6 years is the definition of bush league. Everyone except for in the Edmonton market realizes this.

I'm glad we didn't hire Eakins. No offense to Oilers fans, as he could be a great mentor.

But the risk is high.
He has never coached in the Playoffs.
He has always coached a defensive style low scoring strategy (Marlies where bottom 3rd in scoring), but is a solid defensive coach.
No NHL experience.

Ill tell you how it went, Edmonton had no chance to get a high profile coach, they wet all in on Eakins and made an offer right away. The Canucks and other big market teams are interviewing "ALL" the candidates and didnt make there all in offer on Eakins because they go through a process. Edmonton knows that they cant compete for the big names, so they don't go through the big process, and just go for there guy. There was no competition for the Edmonton job, Mac T made up his mind and went for it, this is how there Oilers work. If comparing the Oilers to a prom date, they choose the fat girl that wouldn't turn them down, the Canucks, Rangers etc are getting there choice of the prom queen, aka the experienced/ established NHL coach.
- gunner2233

The Canucks and Oilers are two completely different teams. Eakins is a good fit for the Oilers. He's a good head coach who's had success at the AHL level. He's been a good motivator and teacher. He's a good fit for a young Oilers team. He is not the right fit for the Canucks who are a veteran team looking for an experienced coach.

This is not a situation where one team won and the other lost out. It's a situation where the coach happened to be a better fit for one organization than the other so they signed him.

The Rangers have been connected to AV, Messier, Ruff and Tippet and ALL are believed to be ahead of Eakins...
- IanEsplen

sure, because Eakins is off the market.

Assistant maybe? I don't know it's freaking Gillis. He like to take 6 months to make a decission.
- IanEsplen

I really don't think Eakins wouldve accepted a job as an assistant anywhere. I'm hoping we bring in an associate coach with some experience to help him out and some new assistants. Bucky and Smith gotta go.

Obsession with Toronto and the Leafs still going strong I see Ian
- Canada Cup

That's what constitutes having a life I guess!

My guess is Steven's or Bylsma (if available). Hopefully MG doesn't procrastinate, however I can't see that (not) happening.
- VanHockeyGuy

Are you kidding me, that's all MG does is procratinate! How's that Luongo trade working for you?

I'm glad we didn't hire Eakins. No offense to Oilers fans, as he could be a great mentor.

But the risk is high.
He has never coached in the Playoffs.
He has always coached a defensive style low scoring strategy (Marlies where bottom 3rd in scoring), but is a solid defensive coach.
No NHL experience.
- moondawg

So don't take Hall, Eberle, Nuge and Yaks too high in the hockey pool then.

Gillis is suppose to be interested in interviewing four or five more coaches for the vacancy, other than John Stevens I'm not sure who they are. This is an important decision for the club, so it's a mixed bag between making the right decision and being prudent enough to get the job done quickly so you don't miss out on your guy.

I have no idea what the fuss is all about a guy who has never coached an NHL game in his life. GUY BOUCHER GUY BOUCHER GUY BOUCHER . Remember when he was the flavour of the month ? How is his NHL career?

Give me Laviolette

Are you kidding me, that's all MG does is procratinate! How's that Luongo trade working for you?
- rebel

it's in the works for the 2016 deadline

That's what constitutes having a life I guess!
- rebel

Hook line and sinker to bring in some hits, just like this one. .....

I have no idea what the fuss is all about a guy who has never coached an NHL game in his life. GUY BOUCHER GUY BOUCHER GUY BOUCHER . Remember when he was the flavour of the month ? How is his NHL career?



Give me Laviolette
- VANTEL

So don't take Hall, Eberle, Nuge and Yaks too high in the hockey pool then.
- IanEsplen

Ha, honestly I think it is what these guys need. Eakins will teach them a a defensive system, that they can then build the offense from.

Just don't expect a run and gun offense from him, its not his style.