So we're back with three new candidates for the Flyers Head Coach position. Yipee....here we go:
Dallas Eakins
I’m LOLin’ as I write this, but yes, Dallas Eakins is a candidate for the Flyers Head Coaching position. According to several sources, he’s on the Flyers radar, but like I said before, I think Hextall will cast a wide net for his first coach under his regime. Now, that said…why Dallas Eakins?
Honestly, I don’t know.
After having some success in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies—in fact, taking the Marlies to the Calder Cup Finals a season before he was hired by the Edmonton Oilers—Eakins found himself behind the bench in the NHL.
It did not go well.
With the Oilers, Eakins was only coach for 112 games putting up a 36-62-14 record before being fired December 15, 2014. Of course, it was the Oilers—so we really can’t fault the record as much as we might want to. However, TSN commentator Craig Button had some harsh criticism of the former Oilers coach:
“Listen, with Dallas Eakins, it was a disaster,” Button said. “His entire tenure there, it was a disaster. The team couldn’t function as a group. Individuals fell off in their play. There’s no other way to put it. In every single area.”
Ouch. And we thought the Flyers locker room wasn’t that good this year too, right? Try adding Eakins to the mix.
Success factor: 3/10
Calder Cup appearance with the Toronto Marlies, but they got swept. 36-62-14 NHL coaching record.
Sexy factor: 3/10
Not sexy at all, but his hair is really slick.
The Flyers connection: 0/10
He was a teammate of Flyers great defenseman Nolan Baumgartner and Chris Pronger’s brother, Sean.
Celebrity doppelganger: Sam the Eagle
Dallas Eakins
I’m LOLin’ as I write this, but yes, Dallas Eakins is a candidate for the Flyers Head Coaching position. According to several sources, he’s on the Flyers radar, but like I said before, I think Hextall will cast a wide net for his first coach under his regime. Now, that said…why Dallas Eakins?
Honestly, I don’t know.
After having some success in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies—in fact, taking the Marlies to the Calder Cup Finals a season before he was hired by the Edmonton Oilers—Eakins found himself behind the bench in the NHL.
It did not go well.
With the Oilers, Eakins was only coach for 112 games putting up a 36-62-14 record before being fired December 15, 2014. Of course, it was the Oilers—so we really can’t fault the record as much as we might want to. However, TSN commentator Craig Button had some harsh criticism of the former Oilers coach:
“Listen, with Dallas Eakins, it was a disaster,” Button said. “His entire tenure there, it was a disaster. The team couldn’t function as a group. Individuals fell off in their play. There’s no other way to put it. In every single area.”
Ouch. And we thought the Flyers locker room wasn’t that good this year too, right? Try adding Eakins to the mix.
Success factor: 3/10
Calder Cup appearance with the Toronto Marlies, but they got swept. 36-62-14 NHL coaching record.
Sexy factor: 3/10
Not sexy at all, but his hair is really slick.
The Flyers connection: 0/10
He was a teammate of Flyers great defenseman Nolan Baumgartner and Chris Pronger’s brother, Sean.
Celebrity doppelganger: Sam the Eagle
Odds of actually being hired: 2/10
If you thought I was very much against the idea of Todd McLellan coaching the Flyers, then you should know I’m VERY against the idea of Dallas Eakins coaching the Flyers. I don’t see Ron Hextall pulling the trigger on him, especially after reports came out that Eakins didn’t have the confidence behind the bench. He may get called in for an interview, but don’t count on an actual offer going his way.
If you thought I was very much against the idea of Todd McLellan coaching the Flyers, then you should know I’m VERY against the idea of Dallas Eakins coaching the Flyers. I don’t see Ron Hextall pulling the trigger on him, especially after reports came out that Eakins didn’t have the confidence behind the bench. He may get called in for an interview, but don’t count on an actual offer going his way.
Peter DeBoer
More like Peter DEBORING, am I right? Well, that’s kind of right. DeBoer did coach the New Jersey Devils and their infamous defensive lockdowns—and killer of NHL offensive fun—but we’ll get to that later.
DeBoer is an interesting case for sure as he has had an extensive coaching career, although not so much in the NHL. He spent six seasons coaching the Kitchner Rangers in the OHL before being hired by the Florida Panthers in June of 2008. DeBoer took a Panthers team to a 93-point total in his first year, although the Panthers missed the playoffs. DeBoer was let go in the middle of the 2011 season. He would be hired in the summer of 2011 by the New Jersey Devils where his team would dispatch the Flyers in the second round of the 2012 playoffs, and eventually make their way to the Stanley Cup Finals losing in six games to the LA Kings. Unfortunately for DeBoer, that would be considered the highlight in his NHL coaching career. After 2012, DeBoer had to deal with a shoddy offense and a young D corps. He would find himself unemployed in December of 2014.
Success factor: 3/10
Stanley Cup appearance in 2012 with the Devils. Got the Panthers to a 93 point season total in 2012. DeBoer was also behind the bench for the 2003 Kitchner Rangers who won the Memorial Cup.
Sexy factor: 7/10
In terms of sexiness, this is average. DeBoer’s coaching record doesn’t stand out, but he can push the right buttons when he has a good group. For instance, when the Devils went to the Finals in 2012, DeBoer had offensive skill and depth at his disposal including Ilya Kovalchuk, Zach Parise, a David Clarkson who was actually effective, a young Adam Henrique, and Patrik Elias.
Also, speaking of sexy factor...
More like Peter DEBORING, am I right? Well, that’s kind of right. DeBoer did coach the New Jersey Devils and their infamous defensive lockdowns—and killer of NHL offensive fun—but we’ll get to that later.
DeBoer is an interesting case for sure as he has had an extensive coaching career, although not so much in the NHL. He spent six seasons coaching the Kitchner Rangers in the OHL before being hired by the Florida Panthers in June of 2008. DeBoer took a Panthers team to a 93-point total in his first year, although the Panthers missed the playoffs. DeBoer was let go in the middle of the 2011 season. He would be hired in the summer of 2011 by the New Jersey Devils where his team would dispatch the Flyers in the second round of the 2012 playoffs, and eventually make their way to the Stanley Cup Finals losing in six games to the LA Kings. Unfortunately for DeBoer, that would be considered the highlight in his NHL coaching career. After 2012, DeBoer had to deal with a shoddy offense and a young D corps. He would find himself unemployed in December of 2014.
Success factor: 3/10
Stanley Cup appearance in 2012 with the Devils. Got the Panthers to a 93 point season total in 2012. DeBoer was also behind the bench for the 2003 Kitchner Rangers who won the Memorial Cup.
Sexy factor: 7/10
In terms of sexiness, this is average. DeBoer’s coaching record doesn’t stand out, but he can push the right buttons when he has a good group. For instance, when the Devils went to the Finals in 2012, DeBoer had offensive skill and depth at his disposal including Ilya Kovalchuk, Zach Parise, a David Clarkson who was actually effective, a young Adam Henrique, and Patrik Elias.
Also, speaking of sexy factor...
The Flyers connection: 2/10
Coached Mike Richards in juniors.
Celebrity doppelganger: Randy Quaid (Russell Casse, Independence Day)
Coached Mike Richards in juniors.
Celebrity doppelganger: Randy Quaid (Russell Casse, Independence Day)
Odds of actually being hired: 7/10
Not a sexy pick by any means, but I can see Hextall pulling the trigger and getting DeBoer behind the bench if he strikes out on Babcock. DeBoer can get a lot out of his bench if he has the right guys. With Claude Giroux, Jake Voracek, Wayne Simmonds, and Steve Mason—it wouldn’t surprise me if DeBoer can get the Flyers to make a little run even next season. I want Babcock, but wouldn’t mind DeBoer.
Not a sexy pick by any means, but I can see Hextall pulling the trigger and getting DeBoer behind the bench if he strikes out on Babcock. DeBoer can get a lot out of his bench if he has the right guys. With Claude Giroux, Jake Voracek, Wayne Simmonds, and Steve Mason—it wouldn’t surprise me if DeBoer can get the Flyers to make a little run even next season. I want Babcock, but wouldn’t mind DeBoer.
Guy Boucher
Boucher is an interesting choice. Famous for his scar and his 1-2-1 strategy, Boucher came into the NHL like a cannon. In his first season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Bolts won 46 games and went to the Eastern Conference Finals where they lost in seven games to the Boston Bruins in 2011. Prior to his time with the Lightning, Boucher coached the Hamilton Bulldogs, the AHL team for the Montreal Canadiens, in 2010. They did pretty well, oh, like 52 wins pretty well. Currently, he’s coaching SC Bern, who had a tremendous season and a twenty point plus differential from last season’s point total.
Success factor: 6/10
Took the Hamilton Bulldogs to the Conference Finals in 2010, and a 52 win season. Guided the Lightning to a Game 7 against the Bruins in the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals. His defensive system gave the Flyers fits.
Sexy factor: 8/10
Look at that flow, that scar. Boucher seemingly has the brains, and also the talent around him. He had P.K. Subban during his time in Hamilton, Stamkos with the Bolts. Who knows hwat he can do with more pieces?
The Flyers connection: 1/10
He coached current Flyers forward Ryan White in Hamilton during the 2010 season.
Celebrity doppelganger: Fredde Prinz Jr.
Everyone has said the bad guy from Casino Royale, and yeah, he does look like him—however, I wanted to be different.
Boucher is an interesting choice. Famous for his scar and his 1-2-1 strategy, Boucher came into the NHL like a cannon. In his first season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Bolts won 46 games and went to the Eastern Conference Finals where they lost in seven games to the Boston Bruins in 2011. Prior to his time with the Lightning, Boucher coached the Hamilton Bulldogs, the AHL team for the Montreal Canadiens, in 2010. They did pretty well, oh, like 52 wins pretty well. Currently, he’s coaching SC Bern, who had a tremendous season and a twenty point plus differential from last season’s point total.
Success factor: 6/10
Took the Hamilton Bulldogs to the Conference Finals in 2010, and a 52 win season. Guided the Lightning to a Game 7 against the Bruins in the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals. His defensive system gave the Flyers fits.
Sexy factor: 8/10
Look at that flow, that scar. Boucher seemingly has the brains, and also the talent around him. He had P.K. Subban during his time in Hamilton, Stamkos with the Bolts. Who knows hwat he can do with more pieces?
The Flyers connection: 1/10
He coached current Flyers forward Ryan White in Hamilton during the 2010 season.
Celebrity doppelganger: Fredde Prinz Jr.
Everyone has said the bad guy from Casino Royale, and yeah, he does look like him—however, I wanted to be different.
Odds of actually being hired: 5/10
I’m lukewarm to this. It could go either way for me. Boucher is an interesting case for sure and had a wonderful first season with the Bolts, but then it kind of went downhill. I’d be interested to see what he would do with this current Flyers roster.
I’m lukewarm to this. It could go either way for me. Boucher is an interesting case for sure and had a wonderful first season with the Bolts, but then it kind of went downhill. I’d be interested to see what he would do with this current Flyers roster.