Former Edmonton Oilers player Luke Gazdic shares a hilarious story about his time with Dallas Eakins, the former coach of the Oilers. Eakins' tenure with the Oilers was short-lived, lasting only 31 games in the 2014-15 season before he was fired. Despite the team's struggles, there were some light-hearted moments, like the time Eakins ran a practice after the Oilers had already been eliminated from playoff contention. Gazdic recounts how the team felt a sense of inevitability on the day Eakins was fired, as if they were 'bag skated' (a term for being benched). The practice that day was unusual, with no pucks and a focus on 'mountains' (a type of drill). Gazdic describes the intense atmosphere, with Eakins' passionate and dramatic coaching style, and the team's realization that their coach had already been let go. This story highlights the team's resilience and the unique dynamics of the Oilers during that challenging period. Eakins' coaching journey continued after the Oilers, leading to a promotion as the head coach of the Anaheim Ducks, but his time with the Oilers remains a memorable and amusing anecdote for players and fans alike.
