Speculation: 2024-25 Coaching/Management/Ownership

[The Duck Knight]

I don't think and single move will fix this team. The ratio from kids to vets is staggering. The reality is we need more vets just to get us respectable. Imo this is why focusing on just the draft like we have hurts. These kids need help and we're just way too dependent on them.

I dont know how you can say we need more vets when the vets we have are a very large reason we suck. We would legitimately be better off this year without the likes of Killorn and Vatrano. Say we did get a Stamkos or Marchessault, do you think that changes what we look like at all? Because it wouldn't. You can rearrange the pylons but as long as this is the coach and systems in place this team is going to stand around and wait for good things to happen instead of proactively making them happen.

 

[lwvs84]

How is McIllvane as a coach? I know Gulls are bad too, but part of that is so the top picks are skipping the AHL.

 

[Deuce22]

We need a coach that will coach to the team's strength instead of trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.

I’m afraid that Cronin is coaching the way Verbeek wants him to.

 

[dracom]

We need a coach that will coach to the team's strength instead of trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.

that's what makes a good coach a good coach. verbeek and cronin don't understand that. they rather just shake their heads and say "i don't know." and dream about another top pick that they can ruin

 

[Hamilton Bulldogs]

that's what makes a good coach a good coach. verbeek and cronin don't understand that. they rather just shake their heads and say "i don't know." and dream about another top pick that they can ruin

Gonna start running out of roster spots for all these high draft picks lol. 4th line of Martone and McKenna

 

[Ducks DVM]

I’m afraid that Cronin is coaching the way Verbeek wants him to.

The opposite of what RC did to BB. RC got the players he got that were “good” and BB had to make do with fitting a system to what he was given. PV gets players that don’t match his or GC’s vision and try to make the players fit their system.

What I would give to get a GM and HC that actually worked together intelligently.

 

[70sSanO]

The opposite of what RC did to BB. RC got the players he got that were “good” and BB had to make do with fitting a system to what he was given. PV gets players that don’t match his or GC’s vision and try to make the players fit their system.

What I would give to get a GM and HC that actually worked together intelligently.

I agree.

PV has probably drafted closer to what he wants.

His problem has been the free agent signings. He has not signed players who bring size and toughness, and have some offensive upside.

While Strome can be feisty, he, Vatrano, and Fabbri are not big grinding players who fit the system. Killorn seems to be almost as soft as Leason. Only Gudas fits the mold.

John

 

[DavidBL]

I dont know how you can say we need more vets when the vets we have are a very large reason we suck. We would legitimately be better off this year without the likes of Killorn and Vatrano. Say we did get a Stamkos or Marchessault, do you think that changes what we look like at all? Because it wouldn't. You can rearrange the pylons but as long as this is the coach and systems in place this team is going to stand around and wait for good things to happen instead of proactively making them happen.

Not all vets are created equal. The kids are being relyed on for too much. Only way to fix that is to not put them i. Those positions. Why is it that the lines generally with the most experience are also the most effective? You're right, 1 vet doesn't fix the team. The right ones would surely help. Imo a lot of this is the kids still don't know how to be pros. The first year Kraken were not a really skilled team but they played the tight way. As a team with buy in. Yes, I imagine Cronin is part of the issue. But these kids don't understand what it takes to be a good team in the NHL.

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

The opposite of what RC did to BB. RC got the players he got that were “good” and BB had to make do with fitting a system to what he was given. PV gets players that don’t match his or GC’s vision and try to make the players fit their system.

What I would give to get a GM and HC that actually worked together intelligently.

At the risk of repeating myself, that's exactly the issue I've been harping on...that Cronin was hired because he will do exactly what PV tells him to do. PV wants to have a hand in everybody's job instead of hiring the best people and letting them do what they were hired to do.

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

Still think the biggest issue with this franchise is the culture.. That comes from the top.. PV needs to hire the right coach to teach these kids what it takes.. Seems like they take way to many days off.. Telling them is one thing.. Makes sure they f***ing do it.. The players dont respect Cronin.. Its plain to see

 

[Ducks DVM]

Still think the biggest issue with this franchise is the culture.. That comes from the top.. PV needs to hire the right coach to teach these kids what it takes.. Seems like they take way to many days off.. Telling them is one thing.. Makes sure they f***ing do it.. The players dont respect Cronin.. Its plain to see

You can’t “make” smaller skill guys, or older slow guys, play dump and chase hockey. Any more than you can make dump and chase grinder style players play a possession game.

The defensive system is every bit as stupid as it was when Eakins was doing it. It runs them ragged, and leaves them too out of position and/or too tired to do much IF they actually recover the puck.

They’ve mismatched their players and their styles. The players don’t respect the coaching because it’s never going to work and they’ve figured that out.

 

[Kalv]

You can’t “make” smaller skill guys, or older slow guys, play dump and chase hockey. Any more than you can take dump and chase grinder style players play a possession game.

The defensive system is every bit as stupid as it was when Eakins was doing it. It runs them ragged, and leaves them too out of position and/or too tired to do much IF they actually recover the puck.

They’ve mismatched their players and their styles. The players don’t respect the coaching because it’s never going to work and they’ve figured that out.

It's baffling how Pat doesn't see this or isn't taking some drastic measures.

 

[Mr Rogers]

A lot of Ducks talk

 

[Hey234]

They’ve mismatched their players and their styles. The players don’t respect the coaching because it’s never going to work and they’ve figured that out.

I think this is the main issue. I have personally watched student teachers in my classroom flounder because they don't know the material that they are teaching very well. The students pick up on it immediately and then the respect is gone. The whole demeanor of the room shifts.

Cronin looks unsure and confused... and then he vocalizes the same to the media. The players will feel that and it will only lead to further issues. I don't think he's "lost" the room behaviorally, but I do think they realize it's not working and he doesn't know what to do and that can't be good for building confidence.

 

[JAHV]

It's baffling how Pat doesn't see this or isn't taking some drastic measures.

Well, to be fair, we have no idea whether or not the players respect the coaching. That's stuff we make up because we see them failing and think that they have to feel the same way we do about it. The players may very well respect Cronin and be working as hard as possible at the things he's trying to implement but just not be equipped to do it.

We obviously don't know either what Verbeek thinks about any of this. He might be preaching patience or he might be seething in his office or he might be thinking that this is a failed experiment where the only way out is to admit that he made a bad hire. I hope it's the latter and that he eventually swallows his pride.