After the Anaheim Ducks were swept by the San Jose Sharks in the first round of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, one thing was for certain; Randy Carlyle was skating on thin ice. Despite the fact that Bob Murray was reluctant to pull the trigger and fire his dearest friend, we all knew it was coming. It was no longer a matter of if, but when. With the prospect that GMBM would have to hire a new head coach, all eyes were on San Diego Gulls head coach, Dallas Eakins.
During his four year tenure with the Gulls, Eakins had led the team to three playoff appearances extending past the first round.