Speculation: 2022-23 Management/Coaching/Ownership

[Kalv]

I have liked Eakins for some time, despite the public opinion of him. But even I'm getting real tired of this teams performance. I don't think it's all on him, but there has been a pattern throughout the years of him. I think we were looking adequate at even strength last night, but the absolute lack of any structure of special teams is killing any kind of motivation for the team, and its not the first time.

This team has much more potential with even average special teams. But that's a ''what if...''. So I'm starting to get excited for the 2023 draft.

 

[Evergreen]

They should move Gibson if tanking. No sense in wasting his time and getting a solid return.

It looks like a disaster on Verbeeks part as they probably were hoping to take a step this year.

What team would want and have the ability to fit Gibson though?

 

[A1LeafNation]

What team would want and have the ability to fit Gibson though?

Minnesota

 

[Firequacker]

I have liked Eakins for some time, despite the public opinion of him. But even I'm getting real tired of this teams performance. I don't think it's all on him, but there has been a pattern throughout the years of him. I think we were looking adequate at even strength last night, but the absolute lack of any structure of special teams is killing any kind of motivation for the team, and its not the first time.

This team has much more potential with even average special teams. But that's a ''what if...''. So I'm starting to get excited for the 2023 draft.

I think it's also notable that he responded to two periods of decent 5v5 and horrendous special teams play by shuffling the even strength lines in the third. The results were markedly worse pretty much across the board, and just... why? For the purpose of what? The team looks disjointed enough without torpedoing any shred of chemistry that appears, but he keeps doing it. And if this is supposed to be a developmental season under a developmental coach, constantly shaking the lines up looking for a magic bullet (which by now, IMO, it's safe to say isn't there) instead of letting anything at all develop is just baffling.

 

[AngelDuck]

Eakins has to go but I think the strategy at this point is to get Bedard/Fantilli/Mitchkov or at least have a legit shot at 1 of them

Painful season we’re about to endure. 70 points out of this group would be very surprising

 

[Leonardo87]

Eakins has to go but I think the strategy at this point is to get Bedard/Fantilli/Mitchkov or at least have a legit shot at 1 of them

Painful season we’re about to endure. 70 points out of this group would be very surprising

I knew things would be a little rough but this is brutal. Like I said in the GDT, that 5 on 3 was so bad I don’t even know where to start and was likely the last straw. Changes need to happen but like you said this could be the plan all along.

Are you going to stay up past 12am for this? Lol

 

[Kalv]

I think it's also notable that he responded to two periods of decent 5v5 and horrendous special teams play by shuffling the even strength lines in the third. The results were markedly worse pretty much across the board, and just... why? For the purpose of what? The team looks disjointed enough without torpedoing any shred of chemistry that appears, but he keeps doing it. And if this is supposed to be a developmental season under a developmental coach, constantly shaking the lines up looking for a magic bullet (which by now, IMO, it's safe to say isn't there) instead of letting anything at all develop is just baffling.

This is a great point. Just like... wtf are we doing?
After that miserable 5vs3 Zegras was interviewed in the intermission (I think it came straight after that disaster of PP). I might have not seem Zegras so frustrated before. The special teams must be killing any kind of momentum the team gets going and to come in and switch up lines that seemed to work and do nothing about those lines and strategies that are not working.... it's, idk. I have nothing to defend Eakins at this point.

 

[anezthes]

I knew things would be a little rough but this is brutal.

The no effort/lackadaisical play bothers me to no end. Most of these players are not worth their salary.

I might have not seem Zegras so frustrated before.

The lady interviewing him said: “Hey Trev, how are you? Good. Thanks for doing this. I know you don’t have a choice.”

 

[All Mighty]

Minnesota

I don’t think the team with $15M in dead cap and the top goalie prospect in the world would want Gibson at $6.4M for 5 years.

 

[Leonardo87]

The no effort/lackadaisical play bothers me to no end. Most of these players are not worth their salary.



The lady interviewing him said: “Hey Trev, how are you? Good. Thanks for doing this. I know you don’t have a choice.”

Yeah, on paper this team should be better. Not playoffs or anything like that, but certainly around .500. The efforts are poor, and there is no unity or teamwork, it's like whack-a-mole out there. When Z tied the game, I was like ok we got something here, and then it went to shit faster than eating a dozen bran muffins.

 

[A1LeafNation]

I don’t think the team with $15M in dead cap and the top goalie prospect in the world would want Gibson at $6.4M for 5 years.

They are contenders and their goalie looks done they will find a way I bet.

 

[Hey234]

Last season before the trade deadline, special teams were much better and there was more structure. It was a big improvement on the 20-21 season. Most of the players were the same. The difference was new assistant coaches and specifically Geoff Ward.

While him leaving wasn't the reason for the decline at the end of the season; that was obviously losing Manson, Lindholm, etc... It did illustrate to me the impact that coaches can him and the structure they can provide. With his absence, the Ducks again look lost on special teams. This is a clear indication to me that coaching is a major issue with this team.

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

I have liked Eakins for some time, despite the public opinion of him. But even I'm getting real tired of this teams performance. I don't think it's all on him, but there has been a pattern throughout the years of him. I think we were looking adequate at even strength last night, but the absolute lack of any structure of special teams is killing any kind of motivation for the team, and its not the first time.

This team has much more potential with even average special teams. But that's a ''what if...''. So I'm starting to get excited for the 2023 draft.

It's 100% true that PV built a shitty team that isn't just bad--it's poorly constructed for player development. Again, it's early, my impression could change. But regardless, it's also true that Eakins and his staff aren't taking these lemons and making lemonade, not even close. They're squirting lemon juice directly into everyone's eyes and papercuts etc. Management, from the GM to the assistant coaches and training staff, look like shit right now.

 

[bsu]

I used to watch every game twice no matter what and this year I've barely been able to sit through it once.... I Didn't even finish the Red Wings game it was Sunday and nice out. My girlfriend was shocked.

 

[Leonardo87]

I used to watch every game twice no matter what and this year I've barely been able to sit through it once.... I Didn't even finish the Red Wings game it was Sunday and nice out. My girlfriend was shocked.

I had the game DVR'd was watching the Rangers shit the bed first, after the 3rd goal allowed, I just gave up and checked the score. Wise decision on my part. Sitting through that live was even more painful I bet. I think it was more that putrid 5 on 3 that turned me off, not even the 3rd goal against.

Ducks are gonna get a Top 5 pick. hopefully it will be a Top 3 pick.

We knew this season was not going to be a contending season but what's on the ice now is barely even a NHL hockey team. That Boston OT loss where they showed some promise, just went out the window.

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

They should move Gibson if tanking. No sense in wasting his time and getting a solid return.

It looks like a disaster on Verbeeks part as they probably were hoping to take a step this year.

They should.. But here is the problem.. Look at gibsons numbers.. Its horrible.. Because the team in front of him is horrible defensively.. Gibson cant be in GOD mode forever.. Dude is worn out ( not to any fault of his own)..

 

[A1LeafNation]

They should.. But here is the problem.. Look at gibsons numbers.. Its horrible.. Because the team in front of him is horrible defensively.. Gibson cant be in GOD mode forever.. Dude is worn out ( not to any fault of his own)..

It's funny. Gibsons stats were pretty good before Eakins was hired. He still looks good when you watch him, but Eakins system is garbage and still looks garbage.

 

[Leonardo87]

It's funny. Gibsons stats were pretty good before Eakins was hired. He still looks good when you watch him, but Eakins system is garbage and still looks garbage.

A lot of us thought the offense this season could bail out the defense in a lot of games and get them goal support, I know it's early but boy, we were wrong.

Goalies should not have to be trying to stop 40+ SOG on a nightly basis. Vezina winning goalies would also break down on this team with this defense and system.

 

[A1LeafNation]

A lot of us thought the offense this season could bail out the defense in a lot of games and get them goal support, I know it's early but boy, we were wrong.

Goalies should not have to be trying to stop 40+ SOG on a nightly basis. Vezina winning goalies would also break down on this team with this defense and system.

Agree 100%. Eakins needs to go yesterday.

 

[Goose of Reason]

It's funny. Gibsons stats were pretty good before Eakins was hired. He still looks good when you watch him, but Eakins system is garbage and still looks garbage.

It was Carlyle that broke him, he stood on his f***ing head every single game at the start of the 2018-19 and eventually just got worn out, his numbers after the first couple months that year are similar to what they have been since

 

[Leonardo87]

Agree 100%. Eakins needs to go yesterday.

Verbeek likely wants that Top 5 pick, and he will most likely get it if things don't change..... but they actually will change, he'll sell off the pending UFA's at the TDL, which will make things even worse.

 

[Smirnov2Chistov]

I have liked Eakins for some time, despite the public opinion of him. But even I'm getting real tired of this teams performance. I don't think it's all on him, but there has been a pattern throughout the years of him. I think we were looking adequate at even strength last night, but the absolute lack of any structure of special teams is killing any kind of motivation for the team, and its not the first time.

This team has much more potential with even average special teams. But that's a ''what if...''. So I'm starting to get excited for the 2023 draft.

Eakins has to go but I think the strategy at this point is to get Bedard/Fantilli/Mitchkov or at least have a legit shot at 1 of them

Painful season we’re about to endure. 70 points out of this group would be very surprising

Have to agree with both of these guys here.

I am still hopeful about the Verbeek era, but even with the additions and subtractions, I was not convinced that we would be making it to the playoffs. It's still early but becoming more pessimistic as the days go on. I still think Klingberg was our 'best' signing. Maybe PV should have bit the bullet and aquried JVR instead of asking for even more draft capital.

I guess I'm souring on Eakins after being so supportive on him. I still don't think this roster is remotely good or competitive. And not to jump all over the place, but even our prospects in the American League haven't intrigued me. I think there is a lot more work to be done than a lot of us will admit.

 

[Leonardo87]

Have to agree with both of these guys here.

I am still hopeful about the Verbeek era, but even with the additions and subtractions, I was not convinced that we would be making it to the playoffs. It's still early but becoming more pessimistic as the days go on.

The Verbeek era has not really even taken it's form yet. Too early to really judge his moves. We knew this season was not going to be a playoff season, I was just hoping for something more competitive on the ice. It's only the 6th game in but not looking very good. Hoping them getting back at home can change things.

 

[A1LeafNation]

Have to agree with both of these guys here.

I am still hopeful about the Verbeek era, but even with the additions and subtractions, I was not convinced that we would be making it to the playoffs. It's still early but becoming more pessimistic as the days go on.

Not to bring the Leafs into this but Shanny brought in Babcock bc the Leafs needed Rielly and Kadri who were young at the time to be coached with direction, purpose, and developing them into proper NHLers.

Aside from Babcocks notable antics, he developed them pretty good. This is what Anaheim needs. Terry, MacT, Zegras Drysdale need a coach to develop these guys into elite players and this needs to be done now. Eakins ain't it.

 

[Smirnov2Chistov]

The Verbeek era has not really even taken it's form yet. Too early to really judge his moves. We knew this season was not going to be a playoff season, I was just hoping for something more competitive on the ice. It's only the 6th game in but not looking very good. Hoping them getting back at home can change things.

That’s true, I don’t even mean to go full Dirk here, but this team really does lack any form of physical edge to them. Could’ve had Kassian, Lucic, Simmonds, or hell - even Nick Ritchie (!) and I would’ve been happy. You don’t have to play these guys top-line minutes, but top-9 or bottom-six would have been nice.

Not to bring the Leafs into this but Shanny brought in Babcock bc the Leafs needed Rielly and Kadri who were young at the time to be coached with direction, purpose, and developing them into proper NHLers.

Aside from Babcocks notable antics, he developed them pretty good. This is what Anaheim needs. Terry, MacT, Zegras Drysdale need a coach to develop these guys into elite players and this needs to be done now. Eakins ain't it.

I would love Mike Babcock here. I might get a snide remark, but I never cared about his antics within the squad. Sure, it’s team politics and being a dick, but the guy is a winner and has proved it time and time again.
Would love Bruce Boudreau here again..