Speculation: 2024-25 Coaching/Management/Ownership

[Hockey Duckie]

I think it's honestly the worst of both, and yes it is a mess.

We've talked ad nauseum about the roster, but it isn't that good on paper and even worse on ice. Our vets are below average to bad, the kids were probably a bit overhyped and none of them have had any sort of breakout performance (mostly the opposite), and the coaching seems to be a mess on top of it all.

The thing is, we're mostly stuck with the roster we have unless Verbeek is going to swing some massive roster overhaul via trades. That doesn't seem likely, and free agents don't want to come here either. The Samuelis like you mentioned as well have been hands-off to a fault in the past, so Verbeek isn't going to be on the hot seat anytime soon. So outside of sacking Cronin and revamping the coaching staff we don't really have many other options.

I agree it is both. We are in year 3 of the Verbeek reset rebuild and year 2 of the Cronin Complex. Verbeek is using the NHL level as his development playground instead of the AHL. Cronin isn't a very good offensive-minded coach. Our PP and PK units aren't great, but those hires are all on Verbeek.

- Our vets aren't carrying the game for our youths
- Our offensive system is killing our offensive youths
- Our youth blueliners are developing, all at their own paces

We have a lot of good, young pieces on our NHL roster, but we aren't getting the most of out of them due to coaching. None of our assistant coaches have proven they can take the reins since they aren't great at their respective charges. I don't think AHL coach McIlvane has proven much over the past two seasons.

A year and a quarter with Cronin has proven that Eakins did more with far less and helped our offensive youths to produce. That is an important fact that the youths did produce under a different coach. We need to find a different head coach to see what we truly have on our hands with our team. The big problem is that Verbeek is in charge of grabbing that new head coach. His track record with HC's at the AHL and NHL lever are bad, his assistant coaches at the NHL level are abysmal, and his veteran acquisitions are on par with all of his previous said disappointments.

Sadly, Verbeek probably gets five years for his rebuild before the owners can say much since the owners approved of going through with the reset rebuild.

 

[Gliff]

There are four days off after the next game against the blue jackets. When the ducks lose that game that seems like the logical time to fire Cronin, if PV swallows his ego and does the right thing.

Yaaaa I haven't rooted for the Ducks to lose, even when they were tanking for Bedard..... but this would be a good thing.

 

[JonathnTaylorTavares]

Phone it in to fire Cronin

 

[Hey234]

“Mack’s line has not done anything and we were all expecting Mack to take a big jump," head coach Greg Cronin said in late October. "McTavish should be a 30-goal scorer in this league. He can shoot a puck. He's strong as a bull. He gets up and down the ice pretty well. He's not a razzle-dazzle skill guy, but he should be like (Brady) Tkachuk in Ottawa. A power forward that just lives at the other team's net. "When he gets with other players, I think he tries to be a skill guy. And that doesn't mean he can't use his skill. But I think his food chain, the top of it's got to be: drive the game, get to the front of the net, win puck battles on the cycles.” “I thought he was playing well when he got hurt," Cronin said the morning of McTavish's return from injury on Nov. 25. "He was scoring goals, he was getting to the front of the net. I think when Mack plays well, you'll see him bulldogging his way to the netfront. You'll see him win puck battles in the offensive zone and make plays off of those wins. You see him winning faceoffs––it's an issue that we've had this year––and he's such a physically gifted guy in terms of his size and his thickness when he's skating and he's imposing that size into the game. He's going to be a force."“He’s a 220-pound forward that I think needs to value driving plays with his body," Cronin said. "Getting to the front of the net, being physical (and) winning one-on-one puck battles. I don't really care what line he's on, to be honest with you. To me, he should be like both the Tkachuks––the one in Ottawa and the one in Florida. Just always around the net, winning one-on-one puck battles, being tough to play against."It's an irony, those are kind of fourth line habits that move up to the third, second and first lines when you do them repeatedly. I'm not really focused on what line Mack’s on. I'm just more focused on how he's going to demonstrate that identity for 60 minutes.”

Derek Lee has an article about McTavish: Link. Lots of Cronin quotes. Derek is clearly against Cronin's line of thinking.

 

[Mr Rogers]

That comparison he made, which I agree is bad, kind of says something to me. I’m worried that he’s seeing things for what they aren’t. essentially kind of concerned that Cro has a warped view of some of his players.

 

[Reveille1984]

Can Cronin talk about anything other than grinding, battling, and being physical? Jesus Christ man.

Like Lee's article says, just typecasting McTavish into a Tkachuk brother rather than utilizing his actual strengths per usual with the roster.

 

[Hamilton Bulldogs]

McTavish really doesn't have the personality of a Thachuk. Just isn't him. He's never been that type of player and trying to turn him into one seems counterproductive. Would rather see them work on what he's been successful with throughout his life which has often not been infront of the net battling but on the sides of the net potting goals with his wrister.

 

[Hamilton Bulldogs]

Can Cronin talk about anything other than grinding, battling, and being physical? Jesus Christ man.

Like Lee's article says, just typecasting McTavish into a Tkachuk brother rather than utilizing his actual strengths per usual with the roster.

It is kinda funny to hear that talk but when you watch his team they're getting thrown around almost every game. Zel was getting pasted all night vs an undersized Montreal team

 

[Hey234]

To me, the most frustrating part is that it confirms the belief that Cronin is forcing players into roles they are not suited for. He does not put them in positions to succeed but rather hammers them in until it fits. It's a waste of time and it's actively hurting player growth. It's depressing to watch.

 

[ohcomeonref]

After reading that, the interesting thing to me is: Fire Cronin.

 

[KelVarnsen]

Damn that article really confirms Cronin needs to go. He is just hammering away pounding square pegs into round holes instead of adapting to the players he actually has. It’s like there is a huge disconnect between what he thinks and what the players are. He can’t get fired soon enough.

I’m pretty confident a new coach will allow this team to flourish. Cronin is destroying theses young players. None of them will become what we hoped for them as long as that bumbling idiot is around.

 

[Smirnov2Chistov]

God, what an interview lmao. He really has no clue. How much more of this suffering can we take?

Here’s the thing - I don’t think McTavish could ever be like either of the Tkachuk brothers, even when he was drafted during his year. Those guys have it all; consistency, smarts, will, line drivers, etc. I don’t ever think he’s shown qualities like that, if at all.

Whether or not that has to do with coaching remains to be seen..

Damn that article really confirms Cronin needs to go. He is just hammering away pounding square pegs into round holes instead of adapting to the players he actually has. It’s like there is a huge disconnect between what he thinks and what the players are. He can’t get fired soon enough.

He’s so goddamn stubborn and blind that he won’t know why it’s not working.

It is kinda funny to hear that talk but when you watch his team they're getting thrown around almost every game. Zel was getting pasted all night vs an undersized Montreal team

There’s a disconnect everywhere.

GM doesn’t bring in quality players

Head Coach is a deer in the headlights

Players look at times worse than the Eakins era.

Someone open the tank thread already

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

You know why he won’t get fired soon enough? Because his boss is in on the pounding of square pegs into round holes.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I said this before that Mac is a good soldier and does what he's told to do, even if he isn't capable to doing it. Derek spells out specifically what type of player Mac is as a productive offensive player, but Cronin isn't playing to Mac's strengths. Even the Crash the Pond guys know that Cronin is misusing Mac, which I shared recently.

Also, the article by Derek Lee identified that Mac was playing hurt until he couldn't tolerate the pain any longer. Verbeek's culture is going to destroy our youths before they can fully fly.

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

The little ball of hate is starting to take his on ice monicker right up into the executive office with him.

 

[Kalv]

If from the info we get we can clearly see the faults in Cronin, imagine how our GM who has constant communication with him, doesn't see it.

I don't see how Pat isn't a problem here. Fire Cronin, but I don't see us going anywhere under Pat, anymore.

 

[anezthes]

You can't just focus on teaching defensive play, grinding, and dump-and-chase at the NHL level. The young players' skills still need to be developed and refined.

Who’s helping McT and Cutter become better snipers?
Who’s working with Z and Carlsson to improve their playmaking abilities?

The only one who’s shown meaningful growth, IMO, is Dostál. Surprise.

 

[Frosted Tips]

If from the info we get we can clearly see the faults in Cronin, imagine how our GM who has constant communication with him, doesn't see it.

I don't see how Pat isn't a problem here. Fire Cronin, but I don't see us going anywhere under Pat, anymore.

Have to agree here, not sure how much of all of this is just about Croning and how much is it on Verbeek. Like are these "development paths" drawn together with Verbeek or even directed by him? Then it's up to Cronin to hammer the players down the chosen path? I'm really starting to worry that Verbeek is going to be a big mistake for this franchise.

 

[Kalv]

Have to agree here, not sure how much of all of this is just about Croning and how much is it on Verbeek. Like are these "development paths" drawn together with Verbeek or even directed by him? Then it's up to Cronin to hammer the players down the chosen path? I'm really starting to worry that Verbeek is going to be a big mistake for this franchise.

Alse remember the Lisa Dillman(?) episode where Pat was arrogant and rude towards the "how do you rate yourself" or smth like that question.

Good veteran players not wanting to come here already even with a massive overpay. There must be some talk out there (like the stuff that Spitting Chiclets mentioned. Players around the leak talk, I'm sure the word has spread)

Lybushkins super alarming comments about Cronin.

The Gulls absolute suck-a-thon

Drafting fringe NHL guys with high picks (top pics look decent tho, I'm talking late first/2nd round) even with clear NHL talent available.

Not showing any of the "I let my prospects overripe" stuff.

He was "famous" for working with Yzerman. Who himself is flushing Detroit down the drain. Also they drafted some impact players with top picks, but they were NOT the ones who made Lightning good.


And more things that I forgot to mention here. The red flags have been there along the way, but I and I know many of us, chose to ignore because lets see how it works out in the long term. And some of that is not directly on Pat but he should take some action. If I zoom out now, to ke it starting to look bad very fast with Pat in charge.

 

[Seras]

leafs fan here, meant to post this here last night but those jerseys from last night hurt my eyes/soul

 

[anezthes]

leafs fan here, meant to post this here last night but those jerseys from last night hurt my eyes/soul

Got milk?

 

[Dryish]

leafs fan here, meant to post this here last night but those jerseys from last night hurt my eyes/soul

Wrong thread, but good. Get bent. They're awesome.