Speculation: 2024-25 Coaching/Management/Ownership

[Dr Johnny Fever]

Could you expand with this?

Not in any detail. Only in that Bob made a lot of emotional decisions including ones people never saw and not always well thought out. It was in the context of how much do the Ducks spend/invest in off ice things that help the team get better. Skating coaches, fitness coaches, fitness equipment, etc.

It was a small part of a larger conversation.

 

[All Mighty]

Not in any detail. Only in that Bob made a lot of emotional decisions including ones people never saw and not always well thought out. It was in the context of how much do the Ducks spend/invest in off ice things that help the team get better. Skating coaches, fitness coaches, fitness equipment, etc.

It was a small part of a larger conversation.

I’ve also had a conversation with someone in the organization who said similar things. They said that Murray was essentially forced to start an analytics department, but he never paid any attention to it. They did say that Madden actually utilized the department to help with the draft (don’t know in what context).

It honestly sounded like Verbeek (and the rest of hockey ops) had to bring the organization into the 21st century after he was hired. I would be super interested to hear Verbeek’s honest thoughts on what the organization’s resources were like when he first got here compared to Detroit and Tampa.

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

I’ve also had a conversation with someone in the organization who said similar things. They said that Murray was essentially forced to start an analytics department, but he never paid any attention to it. They did say that Madden actually utilized the department to help with the draft (don’t know in what context).

It honestly sounded like Verbeek (and the rest of hockey ops) had to bring the organization into the 21st century after he was hired. I would be super interested to hear Verbeek’s honest thoughts on what the organization’s resources were like when he first got here compared to Detroit and Tampa.

That shouldn't be too surprising to most I would think. It does make you wonder what could have been with someone more open minded.

It also does make one wonder just how far ownership was willing to let Bob continue on until their hand was finally forced.

 

[ZegrassyKnoll]

I had an interesting conversation the other day with someone well connected to the team. Seems Bob's demons impacted the team behind the scenes in many ways the public will never know about. And not in a good way.

Working under competent, respectful management can be a headache sometimes. I have no doubt that everyone was walking on eggshells at points, and that's a terrible way to spend 40 hours a week.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I’ve also had a conversation with someone in the organization who said similar things. They said that Murray was essentially forced to start an analytics department, but he never paid any attention to it. They did say that Madden actually utilized the department to help with the draft (don’t know in what context).

It honestly sounded like Verbeek (and the rest of hockey ops) had to bring the organization into the 21st century after he was hired. I would be super interested to hear Verbeek’s honest thoughts on what the organization’s resources were like when he first got here compared to Detroit and Tampa.

Bob admitted that he had an analytics dept, but was lost about it. Then he hired Jeff Solomon away from the Kings to head the analytics b/c Jeff could interpret what the fancy stats mean to a lay person. Verbeek added to the analytics as well as added more physicians in Anaheim and San Diego. As for skating coaches, I dunno if we had a dedicated one back then, but I do know we had Barb Underhill on speed dial in some capacity.

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

According to my source we do have skating coaches of Barb's caliber available at all times and money is not an object there.

 

[ducknuts]

I wish this thread allowed rumors or insider info without getting vetted by a mod. Oh, the things I’ve heard about Greg Cronin…

 

[Ducks DVM]

On that note…

8) Claims of Insider Information/ Rumors & Hearsay: If you're an insider, contact us with proof BEFORE you post. These posts will be allowed/rejected at the discretion of administrators after consulting with other posters, moderators, and relevant sources. Deference will be given to veteran members who have established credibility. It's not acceptable to post that you heard someone has a drinking/drug/sex/personal problem from a "good" source. Do not post information that can be considered defamatory without a link to a credible media source. Other forums, personal websites, amateur/unvetted blogs, hearsay, and personal testimonials are not considered credible.

Let’s continue avoiding the libel please

 

[KaseMeOutside]

I would bet money that Pat will make a shake up trade before he fires Cronin

On brand, trading guys as their value goes down. I still can't believe he didn't move Vatrano last year when he will never have a season like that again

I wish this thread allowed rumors or insider info without getting vetted by a mod. Oh, the things I’ve heard about Greg Cronin…

Group chat

 

[Smirnov2Chistov]

I had an interesting conversation the other day with someone well connected to the team. Seems Bob's demons impacted the team behind the scenes in many ways the public will never know about. And not in a good way.

Damn, that sucks with Murray.

It’s weird, I guess over time my opinion will change about him. I still hold him very highly in most aspects. Sure, he was addicted to retooling rather than fully rebuilding, but we had a competitive roster for the most part. Although he has no cups for it, we were highly successful.

Although Burke won a cup, I felt like his time here ended abruptly. I didn’t like his scouting/drafting choices, was he - or was he not too trigger happy when it came to deals? (Andy McDonald?)

I wish this thread allowed rumors or insider info without getting vetted by a mod. Oh, the things I’ve heard about Greg Cronin…

Now THIS I must know..

I’ve also had a conversation with someone in the organization who said similar things. They said that Murray was essentially forced to start an analytics department, but he never paid any attention to it. They did say that Madden actually utilized the department to help with the draft (don’t know in what context).

I mean.. I’m not into analytics as most people are. I think there are way too many variables involved that make it more complicated than it needs to be.

 

[Anaheim4ever]

Remember when Martin Madden revealed that the Ducks haven't always picked the guy him and his staff chose ? That means Murray overrided the scouts once or several times. He said something as well that they've always hit on high picks when its 'their guy'. You have to kind of wonder how the scouts were treated under Murray.

Like for example what if ur a scout and you are told to find a Dman because they are set on picking one in 2020 whether or not a Forward is the BPA, Murray once revealed they were set on picking a Dman in 2020 before the season was even over as though it didn't matter if they were drafting #2 or #10 they were gonna pick the best Dman available.

Drysdale is failing partly cause of injuries but his hockey IQ seems to not be a strength of his and knowing what we know about the kind of players Verbeek likes he wouldn't have picked a guy with mid to low hockey IQ at #6.

 

[shach1]

 

[All Mighty]

Glad he mentioned Gauthier. I thought he had some great moments.

 

[AngelDuck]

The ducks were terrible for a 12 game stretch but have been a lot better the last 6 games

I still don’t have a lot of faith in Cronin but hopefully this is the sign of a turnaround

 

[Hey234]

Not sure if anyone else listened to Clune's interview with Alexis Downie. Nothing much to share about the team. Seems like a nice guy. Comes across young and fresh. His major focus is individualizing learning and clear/simple communication. Feels like he's still learning the ropes in some aspects.

 

[190Octane]

In the last 8 games they’re 5-2-1 and 2 of those 3 losses they gave up 2 goals in quick succession to give up the lead.

The team is 4 points out of a playoff spot and a lot of the teams above them have games in hand.

If I told you this is where they’d be 21 games into the season before the year started, would you have been calling for Cronin’s head?

Edit: this has also been playing with 4 1st or 2nd year d-men during a lot of that 8 game stretch.

 

[Ducks DVM]

In the last 8 games they’re 5-2-1 and 2 of those 3 losses they gave up 2 goals in quick succession to give up the lead.

The team is 4 points out of a playoff spot and a lot of the teams above them have games in hand.

If I told you this is where they’d be 21 games into the season before the year started, would you have been calling for Cronin’s head?

Edit: this has also been playing with 4 1st or 2nd year d-men during a lot of that 8 game stretch.

Ignoring that we are riding hot goalies and that all the criticisms of the Eakins team pre-Verbeeking equally apply now, the real question is why didn’t he use the current system tweaks MUCH sooner when it was clear to anyone with eyes that he needed an entirely different roster to play his “dump and chase or die” system? The improved play is fantastic, but I don’t have faith that he will quickly or appropriately pivot when opposing coaches compensate for the current 5v5/PK systems and they start to work less well.

He’s out of the “tar and feathers now, please” category, but he is absolutely still in the “prove it” category he started the season with for me.

 

[190Octane]

Ignoring that we are riding hot goalies and that all the criticisms of the Eakins team pre-Verbeeking equally apply now, the real question is why didn’t he use the current system tweaks MUCH sooner when it was clear to anyone with eyes that he needed an entirely different roster to play his “dump and chase or die” system? The improved play is fantastic, but I don’t have faith that he will quickly or appropriately pivot when opposing coaches compensate for the current 5v5/PK systems and they start to work less well.

He’s out of the “tar and feathers now, please” category, but he is absolutely still in the “prove it” category he started the season with for me.

I don’t think it’s crazy to give it 15 games or so to see if younger players adjust to the system you’re trying to play.

I’m more of a glass half full type person so when I see someone realizing something isn’t working and then make a huge adjustment I’m going to give them credit.

 

[Ducks DVM]

I don’t think it’s crazy to give it 15 games or so to see if younger players adjust to the system you’re trying to play.

I’m more of a glass half full type person so when I see someone realizing something isn’t working and then make a huge adjustment I’m going to give them credit.

I agree 100%. The issue for me was that we already knew from last year it wouldn’t work, and it was clear to anyone with eyes by Game 2 this year that the roster as constructed was completely inappropriate for what he was insisting they do. It took him closer to 6 weeks.