ething nearby) was set before the Hurricanes lost Jordan Staal and, f

EDMONTON - Outgoing Edmonton Oilers head coach Dallas Eakins preached a refrain that has become all too familiar for fans of the struggling NHL team.Like it or not, you need to be patient, he said.Eakins met with reporters Tuesday, a day after he was fired by general manager Craig MacTavish with the last-place club mired in a deep slump. MacTavish will take over on a transitional basis before handing the reins to interim coach Todd Nelson, who becomes the teams fifth head coach in seven years.Eakins said he could speak freely now, but he didnt convey even a hint of bitterness over his half-hour availability. In fact, he sounded like someone who was still with the organization.The former coach said that, given time, hes confident Nelson and MacTavish will turn things around.I understand being out of the playoffs for a long time, but the situation is the situation, Eakins said. Its kind of like losing all your money. You dont get all your money back the next day.You have to start working again and working at it.The Oilers took a 7-19-5 record into Tuesday nights game at Arizona. Edmonton is on track to miss the playoffs for the ninth consecutive year.The fans of this organization: youve suffered greatly, Eakins said. But Im going to tell you, you need to be patient. Thats the way it goes. You need to be patient and if anybodys going to find a solution, its going to be Craig MacTavish. I know that for sure.His commitment to this organization, his pain that he goes through every day, looking, trying to make this organization better. He will get it done. He will, I know he will.MacTavish has served as GM for less than two years. Nelson, meanwhile, inherits a team that has dropped 15 of 16 games entering play against the Coyotes.The Oilers are loaded with young players like Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nail Yakupov, but a lack of roster depth and experience appears to have hamstrung the squad. Hall, Nugent-Hopkins and Yakupov were all drafted with No. 1 overall picks. Eakins, who enjoyed AHL coaching success before joining Edmonton in June 2013, guided the Oilers to a 29-44-9 record last season. The team struggled at both ends of the ice again this season and Eakins paid the price.Nelson spent five seasons at Oklahoma City and guided the American Hockey League affiliate to a 15-6-2-2 record this season. I think Nellys going to bring in a great, fresh approach, Eakins said. Hes an excellent coach. Hes fully deserving of this opportunity and hes going to get great support here with the staff.Eakins also thanked the fans, players and members of the organization for the opportunity, his first NHL coaching job.This organization is at where its at — all of the past means nothing, he said. Today is where youre at and where do you go forward? Theres going to have to be some patience here for Craig to let him do his work. Walter Payton Jersey . During the furious first few hours of free agency Tuesday, the team agreed to terms with strong safety Donte Whitner, a Cleveland native who cant wait to play in his hometown. Dick Butkus Jersey . Ashley Wagner will skate in the womens short program for a U.S. team thats in seventh place. Davis and White won the silver medal at the Vancouver Games and are two-time world champions. http://www.officialauthenticbearsproshop...r-Bears-Jersey/. - After spending the morning in the hospital, Logan Couture gave the San Jose Sharks the spark they needed. Custom Chicago Bears Jerseys . Louis Cardinals for the National League Wild Card, are in the drivers seat as they open the final series of the regular season, but they face a large task in the form of the Philadelphia Phillies. Dan Hampton Jersey . Unfortunately for the Cleveland Cavaliers, James Harden was in the building.My picks for the 2014-2015 NHL season, which were included as part of the voting for TSNa€?s Consensus Picks in the NHL Preview Show, some overs and unders as well as my Fantasy Hockey picks: EAST ATLANTIC 1. Boston 2. Tampa Bay 3. Montreal 4. Detroit - WC 5. Ottawa 6. Toronto 7. Florida 8. Buffalo METROPOLITAN 1. Pittsburgh 2. N.Y. Rangers 3. N.Y. Islanders 4. New Jersey - WC 5. Columbus 6. Washington 7. Philadelphia 8. Carolina WEST CENTRAL 1. Chicago 2. St. Louis 3. Dallas 4. Minnesota - WC 5. Colorado - WC 6. Winnipeg 7. Nashville PACIFIC 1. Los Angeles 2. San Jose 3. Anaheim 4. Vancouver 5. Calgary 6. Arizona 7. Edmonton Conference Finalists: Chicago-Los Angeles and Boston-Pittsburgh Cup Finalists: Chicago-Boston Cup Winner: Chicago Blackhawks AWARDS Hart: Sidney Crosby Rocket Richard: Steven Stamkos Art Ross: Sidney Crosby Norris: Drew Doughty Vezina: Henrik Lundqvist Calder: Jonathan Drouin Adams: Jon Cooper THE OVERS AND THE UNDERS Some pre-season point totals that could provide value (at least to my eyes): Boston Bruins under 108.5 a€“ Ia€?m still high on the Bruins, but last season was the only one in the past five that they finished at better than 109-point pace. St. Louis Blues over 105.5 a€“ The last two full seasons, the Blues had 109 and 111 points. High totals leave little margin for error, or injuries, but Blues can push 110 again. Dallas Stars over 95.5 a€“ This one relies on projection, because the Stars havena€?t had at least 96 points in a year since 2007-2008, but adding Jason Spezza and Ales Hemsky should give them at least a five-point improvement over last year. Philadelphia Flyers under 90.5 a€“ The Flyers tend to fluctuate up and down and have fallen under a 90-point pace three times in the past eight seasons. They probably need strong goaltending to get over 90, so this depends on confidence in Steve Mason who has, admittedly, played well since arriving in Philadelphia. Winnipeg Jets over 82.5 a€“ This may only apply if the Jets get adequate goaltending, but theya€?ve only finished at an 82-point-or--below pace once in the past five seasons and they have enough good young players that they should improve.dddddddddddd Ottawa Senators over 81.5 a€“ Trying to compete on a budget is never easy, and the Senators wona€?t score so easily now that Spezza is gone, but theya€?ve come under an 81-point pace once in the past 16 seasons. Carolina Hurricanes under 80.5 a€“ I can only presume that this line (or something nearby) was set before the Hurricanes lost Jordan Staal and, for the time being, Jeff Skinner to injuries. Theya€?ve been at a pace of 80-points-or-fewer twice in the past five seasons and they look like legitimate Connor McDavid candidates. Calgary Flames over 73.5 a€“ With questionable goaltending, the Flames managed 77 points last year, and the lockout season was the only year since 2000-2001 that Calgary finished under a 74-point pace. FANTASY PICKS I have drafted (or auctioned) three teams in deep leagues, with varying rules and requirements. Here is the breakdown of all my players, giving you some indication where Ia€?ve tried to find value on draft day. 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