The Ducks (23-47-12), who will finish last in the NHL standings, ended the season with a team-record 13 straight losses (0-11-2). They did not win their first regulation game until defeating the New York Rangers 3-2 at Honda Center on Nov. 23.
"This was a very difficult decision, one that comes after careful and considerable deliberation," Anaheim general manager Pat Verbeek said. "At the end of the day, I simply feel that a fresh perspective and new voice will be beneficial for the team. Dallas has handled himself with class and character through a difficult season, and we wish him the best in the future."
"We got off to a bad start, and I expected our team to compete harder. We got behind the 8-ball in there, and eventually we got better, but it's not at a level that I want. It's not the standard that I want."
Eakins, 57, was 100-147-44 in four seasons after taking over for Bob Murray on June 17, 2019. Murray, who at the time was Ducks GM, finished the 2018-19 season as interim coach after Randy Carlyle was fired Feb. 10.
Verbeek said the Ducks will take their time with the coaching search but hope to have someone hired in the next few months.
"Ultimately I'd like to get a coach in place before the (2023 Upper Deck NHL) draft (on June 28-29)," he said. "But I'm not going to limit myself to that. I'm going to open the search up, wide open. ... Just a style or an identity is going to be important. And that's sort of some of the things that I'm looking at."
Eakins joined the Ducks organization on June 26, 2015 after he was coach of the Edmonton Oilers from 2013-15. He coached Anaheim's American Hockey League affiliate in San Diego from 2015-19, which advanced to the 2019 Western Conference Finals.
"I will be forever grateful from my eight years in the Ducks organization," Eakins said in a statement on Twitter. "From jump-starting San Diego to dealing with COVID to a full-on rebuild was an inspiring and rewarding challenge.
"Every staff member and player made me a better coach, but more importantly, a better person. The enthusiasm and patience of the fans will never be forgotten. Thank you to Bob Murray and Pat Verbeek for giving me a chance. I will always be in your debt."
Anaheim will finish the season 31st in goals per game (2.51) and last in goals against per game (4.09). They are 31st on both the power play (15.7 percent) and the penalty kill (72.1 percent).
The Ducks have not qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2017-18, when they were swept by the San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference First Round.
"We thank Dallas for his eight years with the organization as head coach of both the Ducks and Gulls," Ducks owner Henry Samueli said. "Susan and I are especially proud of his commitment to the community in both Anaheim and San Diego, which included countless charitable initiatives. We know Dallas will succeed in his future endeavors, as character people often do."
NHL.com independent correspondent Dan Arritt contributed to this report
