Anaheim Ducks: An Open Letter to Head Coach Dallas Eakins

The Anaheim Ducks season is just a few weeks away, and the fans have some advice for Dallas Eakins as he begins his journey as head coach.

It seems as though it took an eternity for the Anaheim Ducks to announce what most of us have known since February. Dallas Eakins has been named the next coach in franchise history, and he will, hopefully, pave the way for a better and brighter future for the team and the organization as a whole.

This is his chance at redemption, and the Anaheim Ducks chance too. We’re moving on, he’s moving up, and we’re all excited at the prospect that this will be a beautiful partnership. However, he knows better than anyone that the NHL is a completely different beast, and things are going to be a lot crazier here in Anaheim than they ever were down in San Diego.

So, there are a few things he needs to know. Who better to deliver this message than the people who are more familiar with this team than the back of their own hands? Last week, we asked you what advice you would give to Dallas as he begins his journey as the Anaheim Ducks head coach. You did not disappoint, and it’s time for your advice to be heard!

Dear Dallas Eakins,

Congratulations, and welcome to Anaheim! We are so excited for you and your family to begin this wonderful partnership with the team we love, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the organization. It has been a rough few seasons for us as fans, but none as particularly hard as last season. In order to make your transition a little bit smoother, your fans have some advice they want to share.

Let the kids play: You know them better than anyone. You’re in tune with their strengths and their weaknesses, so use that knowledge to benefit your team and help them develop. As the NHL continues to evolve, they will be a critical piece in building a team that can contend for the Stanely Cup. The veterans, like Ryan Getzlaf and Adam Henrique, can benefit from learning a thing or two from the Ducklings, and vice versa. Let the kids learn from some of the greatest hockey minds on the team while they still have the chance.

Continue to develop relationships with the players and invest them in your philosophy: It is admirable that you have already been reaching out to the players and building a relationship with them. This will help you build a strong foundation in Anaheim because it builds trust and a sense of security. If the players know that you are invested in them, they will become more invested in what you want to bring to the table and try their hardest to execute it.

The answer to their questions is never “because I said so.” Make sure that you are explaining yourself and your vision to the players so they can get on board and understand where you’re coming from. Don’t be a dictator, they’ve already dealt with that and the consequences were horrible. The team needs a coach who is solely invested in them and helping them succeed. If you continue to make that clear to them, they will do their best to make you proud.

Don’t break Gibby: John Gibson has been the backbone of this team for the past two seasons. He is able and willing, as we saw last season, but there comes a time when you, as the coach, must recognize that he needs a break. Gibson shouldn’t be facing up to 40+ shots on goal for days on end. Ryan Miller is more than capable of taking over if Gibby needs to be pulled or needs a night off.

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Besides, we do not need a situation a la Patrick Roy. Quite frankly, we need John Gibson and cannot risk losing him due to poor decisions. It is arguable that he is the best player on the Anaheim Ducks, and he will be a huge foundational stone for the franchise going forward.

Emphasize the defense: Defense was a huge stumbling block for the Ducks last season. At the beginning of the season, find your defensive pairings, and when you find what works, stick with it. Don’t try to force something if it isn’t working either. Make sure they’re doing their job and being there for their goaltender. John Gibson shouldn’t be the only one playing defense out on the ice.

Trust your instincts: This is the most important piece of advice we, as Anaheim Ducks fans, can give you. Trust your instincts. Bob Murray and the Samueli’s entrusted you with this team for a reason. You have vision, passion, and knowledge. The team and the fan base are craving change, so don’t be afraid to take a few bold risks if you feel it’s the best move for the team going forward.

There isn’t a doubt in our minds that you’re the best thing for this organization moving forward into the 2019-20 season. Take the hard lessons you learned in Edmonton and the good lessons you learned in San Diego to take the Anaheim Ducks in the right direction. We don’t expect you to right the ship completely in season one, but we have complete faith that you’ll do whatever you can to make the Anaheim Ducks contenders, once again, in the near future.

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