Cody Eakin Shines Bright Under Radar
The Dallas Stars boast an offensively loaded roster. They have the 2015 Art Ross Winner in Jamie Benn, the second overall draft pick from 2010 in Tyler Seguin and former Ottawa Senators powerhouse offensive leader in Jason Spezza. Note that the aforementioned list didn’t even include three time Stanley Cup Champion Patrick Sharp or any of the blue line contributors.
That’s a pretty hefty group for any club, but with the spotlight being so bright on no. 14, 91 and 90 there are bound to be players that fly under the radar. Cody Eakin is arguably one of the most underrated players on the team and in the league right now.
Becoming a First Line Center
Eakin was chosen 85th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals, who he played for until being traded to the Stars in 2012. He was expected to be a third or maybe even fourth line center and serve as a depth player more than anything else.
As the Stars developed as an organization and manipulated their roster, however, Eakin found himself on the second line. He was a part of Dallas’ second punch and he managed to take advantage of the more open ice, considering the opposition was more focused on the first line.
No. 20 had 24 points (7G, 17A) in the shortened 2012-2013 season and went on to tally 35 points last year. This season, though, Eakin has moved to the first line often playing with Jamie Benn and Patrick Sharp.
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He’s surpassed his previous career high in points reaching 40 in 81 games and he’s upped his role on the most offensively successful team in the league. That’s pretty impressive for a guy that wasn’t even supposed to sit in the top six forwards.
To end the season Eakin shined as he faced off against the tougher defense that Dallas’ opposition pitted against him. He, Benn and Sharp were about to help the team in that their opponent’s best defensive pair couldn’t play up against both the first line and the line featuring Spezza, making it easier for that line to produce.
Defensive Zone Play
It hasn’t just been Eakin’s ability to play against the best players on the other team that has made him one of the best players hardly anyone talks about, though. He’s incredibly defensive minded for a player that is still relatively new to the league.
He back checks with determination and constantly breaks up offensive bids in front of either Kari Lehtonen or Antti Niemi. He usually makes intelligent breakout passes that get the Stars moving out of their zone and into their opposition’s.
He has hockey intelligence that is difficult if not impossible to teach and he utilizes it on every shift. He can be gritty in all three zones and isn’t afraid to take a hit to make a play, or even deliver a hit to allow his teammates to have an offensive chance.
Final Thoughts
Cody Eakin is a player that means more to the Dallas Stars than most people probably realize. He does a little bit of everything and he does it all well, which isn’t the case for a lot of players. Eakin has an important role on the team despite his lack of recognition and it’s something the Stars sure wouldn’t be as good without.
What do you think makes Cody Eakin an underrated player? Leave your thoughts in the comments and, as always, thanks for reading!