The ducks will never attract a meaningful free agent with Cronin as the coach. It seems pretty clear players don't like him and the better free agents don't want to play for losing teams. They need to make a change now to aid player development and establish a new vibe for the offseason.
Speculation: 2024-25 Coaching/Management/Ownership
- Thread starter MMC
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dracom
Registered User
then that means verbeek and the owners really don't care about how this franchise goes. they're content with being awful, content with just being the next buffalo.
Being the next Buffalo? We ARE the Buffalo of the West. We have overtaken the Coyotes and why they escaped to Mormon town.
MMC
Global Moderator
This is where I think fan expectations really differ from PV's actual expectations. You bring up a slew of sell offs and additions of first and second year players and then imply that PV's expectations were playoffs to the point where he might fire the coach over it. I have no idea why any fan would feel this way about Cronin's job security. Maybe PV will commit to making big trades or signings in the offseason to make a big swing next year and by this time next year, if we're in this spot, I think it's a fair question. But I have no idea why anyone would think that's the standard this year with the team we're putting out there
We've reached a point where Cronin's continued employment can only be attributed to Verbeek either being too proud to appear like he made a mistake, or too stupid to see that the man is not cut out for the job and is actively harming this team's progression.
I've lost my patience with Pat too. I could excuse the trade and free agency difficulties. It's a 32 team league and we're a high tax burden small market team that does not look like an enjoyable place to play to any player with eyes, in no small part but not exclusively because of Cronin.
But letting this f***ing moron hold this position and harm this team this long is past inexcusable at this point. Stepping back from coaching the team for 20 games last year was fireable on its own. Being this close to January and the team can still lay turds like this against a weak team like Philadelphia is more than inexcusable. It's unacceptable. If Cronin isn't gone soon, Verbeek should follow him on the way out.
I've lost my patience with Pat too. I could excuse the trade and free agency difficulties. It's a 32 team league and we're a high tax burden small market team that does not look like an enjoyable place to play to any player with eyes, in no small part but not exclusively because of Cronin.
But letting this f***ing moron hold this position and harm this team this long is past inexcusable at this point. Stepping back from coaching the team for 20 games last year was fireable on its own. Being this close to January and the team can still lay turds like this against a weak team like Philadelphia is more than inexcusable. It's unacceptable. If Cronin isn't gone soon, Verbeek should follow him on the way out.
KelVarnsen
Registered User
From 9/21/24:
What are your realistic expectations for this team? Make the playoffs? Be in the hunt?
"Well, for me, I laid out before the end of the year: I want us to be playing meaningful games and be in the hunt to make the playoffs. That's the goal. I believe we have the team that can do it. We lost a lot of games by one goal (last season). For me, having a relentless attitude going into this season is what I hope can turn these one-goal losses into one-goal victories."
His own words state he wants to be playing meaningful games and be in the hunt for the playoffs.
Now is he lying about his intent and therefore Cronins abysmal coaching is what he really expects? Maybe. But if he is true to his words and wants to be in the hunt for the playoffs, he has to see the team is headed in the wrong direction and fire Cronin.
What are your realistic expectations for this team? Make the playoffs? Be in the hunt?
"Well, for me, I laid out before the end of the year: I want us to be playing meaningful games and be in the hunt to make the playoffs. That's the goal. I believe we have the team that can do it. We lost a lot of games by one goal (last season). For me, having a relentless attitude going into this season is what I hope can turn these one-goal losses into one-goal victories."
https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/verbeek-speaks-from-ducks-training-camp-2024
His own words state he wants to be playing meaningful games and be in the hunt for the playoffs.
Now is he lying about his intent and therefore Cronins abysmal coaching is what he really expects? Maybe. But if he is true to his words and wants to be in the hunt for the playoffs, he has to see the team is headed in the wrong direction and fire Cronin.
robbieboy3686
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- Jan 17, 2016
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0 chance Cronin is coach in October: verbeek was clear when he said we should be in the hunt come march. We really need to just keep losing and hope nobody gets injured and Cronin and the entire staff is gone. Can’t come in and be dead last again in penalty kill if you’re Thompson, and dead last pp verbeek will fire entire staff to look like he’s doing his job and to give the new potential coach a more clean slate to bring in their own people. I have a gut feeling that if hurricanes lose in 1st round again brindamour will become available
CrazyDuck4u
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This ends when fans stop showing up.. if the owners truly cared about the team. They will act. If Henry didn't care about the team. He would not attention drafts and all. It shows he cares. PV has a lot of pressure on him. He needs to admit his mistake and hire the right coach or this franchise is lost..as of now. We are buffalo west
robbieboy3686
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Verbeek has said he is a patient person and likes to wait until around January to make big changes if I remember correctly. We get swept this home stand and he fires Cronin befire we head out on the road. That’s my hot take. I think the reason Cronin hasn’t been fired yet, is because the team hasn’t completely quit on Cronin. Verbeek maybe trying to gauge who’s showing up and going to work even in a tough spot v who’s going to whine and complain etc verbeek is 100% not clueless and sees what’s going on. He’s watching the players closely
dracom
Registered User
the irony of him making this point, then keeping cronin who he coaching out all the offense from the team is strong. Pat just seems to lie to the fanbase about his actual intentions and feelings about the team, it's so annoying.
70sSanO
Registered User
Not my expectations. Correct me if I’m wrong, but last Summer I believe Verbeek stated that he wanting to be in a position to “compete” for a playoff spot this year.
We are closer to competing for a top 5 pick again this year.
He also wanted a top 6 forward and RHD. He got his d-man, but couldn’t land his forward. He can’t land a top free agent. The best thing PV has done is avoid the PLD type of signings.
As for firing the coach. Of course a GM fires a coach if the team is not progressing. The average tenure for an NHL coach is a little over 2 years; it’s a revolving door. It would be interesting to see the average tenure of first time NHL coaches. I’m guessing less than 2 years.
I have no idea what Verbeek’s view of what his legacy should be. He has 522 goals and 540 assists and the Hall ain’t gonna be calling anytime soon.
If I were in Pat’s shoes I would want to establish myself as a top GM to add to my resume. My goal would be to build a cup winning team, and no journeyman coach is going to stand in my way.
John
Rooch
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I'm led to believe the internal opinions on Verbeek match those on this board. Not necessarily in ownership but amongst the staff. They really don't think he has any idea how to do this GM thing.
Like do SOMETHING. The Trouba move was nice but our issues are up front and on the PP. Either change the system to match your players' obvious strengths or bring in players who match the system. I'm personally giving him through the trade deadline to address our poor play and then I'll start withholding my financial support from the team. Enough already.
Both of these pro team in Anaheim absolutely stink, and they never fix their most glaring weaknesses (pitching and goal-scoring respectively). But they still feel fine charging $17 for a beer. There's a limit to how much I'm willing to be taken for a fool.
Like do SOMETHING. The Trouba move was nice but our issues are up front and on the PP. Either change the system to match your players' obvious strengths or bring in players who match the system. I'm personally giving him through the trade deadline to address our poor play and then I'll start withholding my financial support from the team. Enough already.
Both of these pro team in Anaheim absolutely stink, and they never fix their most glaring weaknesses (pitching and goal-scoring respectively). But they still feel fine charging $17 for a beer. There's a limit to how much I'm willing to be taken for a fool.
I don't think anyone should reasonably believe this team could actually grab a playoff spot this year, but at least put up more fight and be in the mix for that last spot? I don't think that's asking too much. But even if it is, this team is plagued by too many fundamental problems and is not showing enough improvement. There's a cap to how well this team can perform at its absolute best. The problem isn't that said cap isn't higher, it's that we're nowhere f***ing close to it.
Dr Johnny Fever
RIP Grizzly 399
The expression about playing meaningful games usually means into March and April. I think the best we can hope for is to get to that time frame before Pat finally cries uncle.
no progression should not be tolerated..... PV is facing the fact that either this team doesn't have the talent or doesn't have a coach that is using what he has to best of his/there ability (yes it can be a combo of both).....if its talent he is screwed, because there are very few that have value in a trade and a draft isn't changing that.....he is a 1st time GM and I hope he see's what his BF in Detroit is running into trying to slow play things....its his reputation he needs to be worried about if he wants to have other chances of being a GM once he is done here.....its now to the point IMO where the spotlight should be on him.
CrazyDuck4u
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So let's say PV does can Cronin. Who does he hire?
This!!! At this point we blame PV.. it's his f*** up. He hired Cronin. He needs to fix his f*** up
Nice to see the majority of the board has come around on Cronin. Dude is a special kind of terrible
KelVarnsen
Registered User
From Yesterday:
“You keep thinking in the back of your mind like eventually it’ll start happening. We’ll start scoring goals, but it’s just not happening. Eventually, the percentages will turn.”
So Cronin is basically just hoping the shooting percentages change? That’s his solution? In addition to him saying earlier the Ducks need to just win a pick battle?
So hope and dreams? That’s it? That’s all he’s got.
“You keep thinking in the back of your mind like eventually it’ll start happening. We’ll start scoring goals, but it’s just not happening. Eventually, the percentages will turn.”
So Cronin is basically just hoping the shooting percentages change? That’s his solution? In addition to him saying earlier the Ducks need to just win a pick battle?
So hope and dreams? That’s it? That’s all he’s got.
Verbeek is just as blind for not seeing it. In fact, it's likely Pat sees the coaching from same lens as Cro.
CrazyDuck4u
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ZegrassyKnoll
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I disagree - I think Pat will only fire Cronin when he has a replacement ready.
Having an assistant take over would just be putting a band-aid on a wound that needs stitches and I think look worse on PV.
To have the team go from Eakins to Cronin to an assistant to the next coach seems like too much of a circus.
Basically, "there's nothing wrong with our systems, there's nothing wrong with our approach, there's nothing wrong with our execution of fundamentals, there's nothing I need to do as coach to improve the problem. We're just unlucky but we'll progress back to the mean eventually because that's just how statistics work"
For real I'd love for someone to read this and try to give a rational argument about why this is not additional proof that he is not qualified for this job and should not be fired. f*** me, we're actually in hockey hell right now. This is what it looks like.
ZegrassyKnoll
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I want Cronin fired but I think the counter argument would be that you can’t coach finishing, IMO.
We’ve had chances we just can’t bury them. And I think the coaching DOES play a role but at the end of the day it’s on the players to capitalize.
But a better coach would hopefully A) generate more chances and B) improve the mental issues of the team
robbieboy3686
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Cronin is basically saying it’s not him. It’s the players. Verbeek will respond with either firing Cronin because he knows he’s wrong or making trades to bring in better finishers to help cronins system because he agrees with Cronin.
