Eakins was very much coaching for development it's just sad that so many look at the process as an individual statistic thing.
All the Marlies were being taught how to play winning hockey as a TEAM that's why each and every call up didn't look out of place when they did. That's the one area that youngsters struggle the most to understand, that's the purpose of those AHL guys cause they sit there as an example of the right way to play. It's not about your stats, it's not about your skill level it's about understanding that logo in front of your Jersey has requirements you need to put a head of everything else and commit to it both on ice, off ice and to each other as teammates if your going to find success at the higher level.
Eakins job isn't to improve there individual skills or coach them so they can put up numbers, there down there to LEARN HOW TO BE A PRO AND PLAY WINNING TEAM HOCKEY. That's the development the head coach is responsible for, to teach the guys to play the right way. Those that do will play those that don't sit which is no different than the NHL. Learn how to play the right way and everything else takes care of it's self. Catering to a guy just because he's a 1st round pick doesn't do the player any good nor the organization cause your breeding a culture where hard work doesn't get rewarded. Players must earn there ice time even at the AHL level not given just because your Kadri, Colborne, Gardiner or Rielly
Individual improvement of there skills comes from the player himself doing the extra work to improve. All the coach can do in this regard is tell him where these improvements are needed example, skating, physical strength, face offs etc... and IT'S UP TO THE PLAYER to do the work.
