Dallas Eakins signs 3-year extension

[Etiam Vultus]

Does anyone think there is a possibility that Carlyle bring Eakins up as an assistant coach next season?  COuld that have been part of talks prior to signing an extension? 

Eakins mentioned when Carlyle was hired that he would rather be a head coach in the AHL than an Assistant in the NHL.

Eakins also said that he had already been an assistant coach in the NHL.  Here is a summary of his time with the Leafs, (taken from the Marlies web site).

Eakins, 44, has spent the past six seasons in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization in various roles. From 2006 to 2008 he served as an assistant coach for the Maple Leafs. During the 2005-06 season, Eakins was an assistant coach with the Marlies.

 

[LeafsInSeven]

Eakins is an organization guy. It's entirely possible that he's comfortable being the head coach of the Toronto Marlies developing young players. Being an NHL coach isn't the be-all and end-all for every coach. One day if Eakins is still with the organization and his work has led to a Cup victory by the organization, he'll get a Stanley Cup ring. That's probably more satisfying than a some failed NHL coaching stint which is far more common than NHL coaching success.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Elliotte Friedman took a couple of points in his 30 thoughts this week to talk about Eakins:

6. Dallas Eakins' new three-year deal to coach the AHL Toronto Marlies allows him the opportunity to examine NHL possibilities after the 2012-13 season. (He is locked in for next year and cannot leave.) "I would guarantee that if you looked at the other 29 AHL coaches, they are not in as much of the hockey stuff as I am here," he said Monday. "It's a credit to my bosses that I am allowed to be a fly on the wall here...There's a seat at the draft table, trade deadline day, free agency...that's made me a much more-informed hockey guy."

7. Eakins is a pretty interesting guy. Back when he was Paul Maurice's assistant in Toronto, he'd stand at the outer edges of the post-game media conferences, just to see the process. Never seen anyone else do that. That's why staying under those circumstances makes perfect sense, because he's all about learning.

 

[Tigger]

Those are some interesting points brought up by Friedman, certainly seems like Eakins is being groomed/has a desire to learn. Hard to say how it will go but the Leafs obviously like him.