nexttothemoon
and again...
Laleggia signed because he was drafted by us, and because RNH is his childhood bff. He probably doesn't know anything about Nelson/Eakins past what Nuge talks to him about.
It's scuttlebutt and rumours (some more substantiated than others)... but it's fairly well known that many Oilers players didn't like Eakins and I think it's safe to say that having a disliked (or hated) coach does have an impact on UFA aquisitions and other signings... and on roster players wanting to stay in Edmonton.
I don't doubt one bit that some key players would have left this org within 1-2 years with the way things were going in Edmonton. You could easily argue Perron was one casualty... Yak was likely going to be a casualty... Lander might have been dumped on waivers again... we know Belov specifically left because of Eakins... Dubnyk's demise here was at least in large part due to the Eakins factor. The Petry situation might have been a lot different without Eakins here for 1.5 years.
It's of course speculation what would have happened if MacT would have stuck to Eakins for another 2.5 years but this team was literally imploding before our eyes with basically everyone regressing and infighting was increasing.
Yes I do think that all that chaos and turmoil would have had an affect on any signings and I'm glad that's all behind us now (hopefully).
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