Dallas Eakins to return for 4th season as Anaheim Ducks Head Coach

According to The Athletic and OC Register, Dallas Eakins will return next year for his 4th season as the Anaheim Ducks Head Coach. Eakins, who has tallied a 75-96-30 record as the Ducks HC thus far, reportedly has a team option for a 4th year in his original 3-year contract, which the Ducks are choosing to exercise.

Eakins’ tenure as Ducks HC has been marked by a number of disruptions outside of his control, with COVID significantly impacting both the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 seasons, and the resignation of former GM Bob Murray looming large over the team this season. Current Ducks GM Pat Verbeek took over as the Ducks were flirting with a playoff spot, but ultimately sold off several of the Ducks’ best players in an attempt to collect future assets to accelerate the team’s ongoing rebuild.

By reportedly choosing to exercise the 4th year option in Eakins’ contract, the Ducks are essentially giving him one last chance at guiding the team to success (both in the win column and in developing young talent) with what should be a significantly upgraded roster after this offseason. Additionally, by only committing one additional year to Eakins, GM Pat Verbeek retains flexibility for shaping the Ducks coaching staff in future seasons while simultaneously giving Eakins a better chance at success after making changes to the roster this offseason.