Geese counting on new coach Eakins for turnaround

After the NHL Draft, free company and different offseason strikes, NHL.com is having a look at the place every staff stands. As we speak, the Anaheim Geese:The Anaheim Geese are hoping a brand new coach and several other up-and-coming forwards will assist them return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after failing to qualify final season for the primary time since 2011-12.Dallas Eakins was employed June 17 after teaching the Geese’ American Hockey League affiliate in San Diego the previous 4 seasons.  [RELATED: Complete Team Reset coverage] “I’m aware of loads of the gamers,” Eakins mentioned at his introductory press convention. “The beauty of that is I am not ranging from scratch. That’s encouraging to me. … I am hoping we will proceed the large success of this group each on and off the ice.”Forwards Sam Metal, Max Comtois and Troy Terry are a number of gamers Eakins coached in San Diego who may change into full-time gamers for Anaheim this season. And though the Geese completed final within the NHL in objectives final season (196), an inflow of youth and pace may change that.”I believe by way of being very aggressive with one another and being organized, we’ll have the ability to accomplish what I imagine the sport is, and that is arduous, and that is quick,” Eakins mentioned.Anaheim has two roster spots accessible after ahead Corey Perry had the ultimate two seasons of his contract purchased out June 19 and middle Ryan Kesler had hip surgical procedure that probably will trigger him to overlook your complete season.Perry, who turned 34 on Could 16, signed with the Dallas Stars on July 1.”It is robust once you’ve been there for therefore lengthy, it is all you realize,” Perry advised TSN final month. “However I haven’t got a nasty phrase to say in regards to the Geese and the way they’ve handled me over time. Everybody within the group was good to me.”Kesler, who turns 35 on Aug. 31 and had eight factors (5 objectives, three assists) in 60 video games final season, won’t play within the NHL once more.”At this level, Ryan wants to consider his life and household,” Geese basic supervisor Bob Murray mentioned in Could. “The ache he felt was vital, and we agree together with his resolution to have this surgical procedure. Whereas it is unlikely he’ll play in 2019-20, we are going to assist any resolution he makes about his future enjoying profession.”Here’s what the Geese appear like at the moment: Key arrivalsDallas Eakins, coach: The 52-year-old went 36-63-14 in two seasons with the Edmonton Oilers from 2013-15, however he led San Diego to the Calder Cup Playoffs in three of his 4 seasons from 2015-19. … Anthony Stolarz, G: The 25-year-old signed a two-year contract July Three after he went Four-5-Three with a Three.45 goals-against common, a .901 save share and one shutout in 18 video games (12 begins) with the Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers final season. Stolarz could possibly be the third-string goalie, offering damage insurance coverage for John Gibson and Ryan Miller. Video: Brewster on Perry buyout, Eakins as Geese head coach Key departuresCorey Perry, F: He signed a one-year contract with the Stars after spending his first 14 NHL seasons with Anaheim. He ranks first in Geese historical past in video games performed (988), second in objectives (372) and third in assists (404) and factors (776). … Andy Welinski, D: Signed a one-year contract with the Flyers on July 1 after he had 4 factors (one aim, three assists) in 26 video games final season. …  Jaycob Megna, D: Signed a one-year contract with the Vegas Golden Knights on July 1 after he had 4 factors (one aim, three assists) in 28 video games final season. …  Jake Dotchin, D: Signed a one-year, two-way contract with the St. Louis Blues on July 1. He had one help in 20 video games final season. On the cuspMax Comtois, F: The 20-year-old left wing had seven factors (two objectives, 5 assists) in 10 video games with the Geese final season earlier than he was despatched to Drummondville of the Quebec Main Junior Hockey League, the place he had 48 factors (31 objectives, 17 assists) in 25 video games. He ought to compete for a roster spot out of coaching camp. … Sam Metal, F: The 21-year-old middle had 11 factors (six objectives, 5 assists) in 22 NHL video games and 41 factors (20 objectives, 21 assists) in 53 AHL video games beneath Eakins. He’s a candidate for a spot on the opening evening roster. … Brendan Guhle, D: Acquired in a commerce from the Buffalo Sabres on Feb. 24, Guhle, who turns 22 on July 29, had one help in eight video games final season and certain will compete for a spot on the third protection pair.Video: ANA@ARI: Comtois goes five-hole for opening tally What they nonetheless needA scorer. Ryan Getzlaf led the Geese with 48 factors (14 objectives, 34 assists) final season, second fewest among the many 31 NHL staff leaders, and Jakob Silfverberg’s Anaheim-leading 24 objectives had been third fewest. … The Geese are also in want of defensemen after dropping three in free company. They at the moment have 5 signed to their lively roster. Fantasy focusWith a well-known coach in Eakins, an inflow of younger ahead expertise and most significantly a clear slate, Gibson is poised for his greatest fantasy season but. As a result of the Geese missed the playoffs final season and weren’t fantasy-relevant within the second half, Gibson ought to be attainable within the Eight-10 vary or later amongst goalies, however he has a ceiling of being essentially the most invaluable participant on the place. He had a .917 save share in 58 video games final season when so many issues went unsuitable round him, so do not be shocked if he shatters his NHL profession excessive in wins (31 in 2017-18). — Pete JensenVideo: ANA@EDM: Gibson denies Gagner’s slap shot Projected lineupRickard Rakell — Sam Metal — Jakob SilfverbergMax Comtois — Ryan Getzlaf — Troy TerryNick Ritchie — Adam Henrique — Ondrej KaseNicolas Deslauriers — Devin Shore — Daniel SprongHampus Lindholm — Josh MansonCam Fowler — Korbinian HolzerBrendan Guhle — Jacob LarssonJohn GibsonRyan Miller Photographs courtesy of Debora Robinson – Anaheim Geese—Pay attention: NHL Fantasy on Ice podcast