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Eakins gets vote of confidence after rough rookie season behind Oilers’ bench

Edmonton Oilers v Phoenix Coyotes

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Dallas Eakins of the Edmonton Oilers during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on December 31, 2013 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Oilers 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Christian Petersen

Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish gave his coach, Dallas Eakins, a vote of confidence today, despite another disappointing season in Edmonton.

“I’m convinced this guy is the right coach to lead us into much more successful times ... he’s relentless,” MacTavish said, per the Canadian Press.

MacTavish also promised more changes to a roster that already features three first overall picks -- “We need a few pieces that can really move this thing along.”

For Eakins, it was a humbling rookie season behind an NHL bench. He was hired with much fanfare, accompanied by expectations the Oilers would emerge out of their rebuild and compete for a playoff spot. Instead, the team finished dead last in the Western Conference, a full 10 points behind Alberta rival Calgary, the second-to-last team.

Along the way, Eakins called a frustrated fan a “quitter”, got sprayed by a water bottle, and “didn’t even leave the house” after one particularly bad loss to the Flames.

Related: Eakins says Oilers need to add ‘some veteran leadership’