The Edmonton Oilers needed their recent spell of wins to potentially save their season. Coach Dallas Eakins reportedly needed the same to salvage employment.

Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun reported in his Sunday column that upper management was prepared to make a coaching change if the team didn't respond to a poor start to the season with wins on their most recent home stand.

To Eakins's benefit, the Oilers have won three straight games, securing six of a possible eight points with three games to come.

Simmons further notes the team may have had a rather enchanting successor in mind: former Oilers great Mark Messier.