After rumors spread Monday morning that the head coach of the Edmonton Oilers had been let go, the team confirmed Dallas Eakins had been fired.
The Oilers, currently last in the Western Conference with 19 points, have been struggling all season, and the team’s official Twitter account confirmed the change Monday morning.
In a news conference Monday morning, Oilers General Manager Craig MacTavish thanked the outgoing coach for his work with the team, and announced that he would be returning to coach the team.
MacTavish’s move is temporary, as former OKC Barons head coach Todd Nelson will take over.
Eakins was hired to replace Ralph Krueger prior to the 2013-14 campaign and posted a 29-44-9 record in his first season behind the bench, missing the playoffs in his only full season.
The 47-year-old has two more years after the remainder of this season left on his contract.
Eakins was brought in after a successful four-year stint as head coach of the AHL's Toronto Marlies, it was his first job as head coach in the NHL.
