The Edmonton Oilers have fired head coach Dallas Eakins.
Audio of MacTavish press conference.
1:20 PM
David Staples: “Oilers need massive change, not just this. Eakins part of problem, but entire organization needs a massive housecleaning. Katz must step up. If MacT and Eakins didn’t realize there were major problems with fundamental play of this roster 18 months ago, that’s ludicrous. It was Eakins’ job to improve fundamental play of his players. He failed to do it, partly due to coaching staff of weak crony coaches.”
12:25 PM
Edmonton Oilers: GM/coach Craig MacTavish will address the media at 11:45 MT (1:45 PM ET).
Darren Dreger: General Manager Craig MacTavish will be the teams interim coach.
Yahoo Sports NHL: The #Oilers are 1-11-4 in their past 16 games, 1-15-4 versus the West this season and last overall in the #NHL at 7-19-5 this season.
Bruce McCurdy of the Edmonton Journal: Eakins had a 36-63-14 record with the Oilers. In the past 16 games, they have been outscored 53 to 27. The Oilers are promoting Todd Nelson to assistant coach. He was with Oklahoma City of the AHL. Keith Acton, Craig Ramsay and Rocky Thompson will remain as of now. Eakins had brought in Acton.
Daniel Friedman: “Until the Oilers can shore up between the pipes and on defense, they will continue to lose regardless of how many coaches they fire.”
Sportsnet Hockey Central at Noon on the Oilers firing Eakins.
NHL.com Hradek and Mears talk about the firing.