Speculation: 2024-25 Coaching/Management/Ownership

[MCB]

I love gudas but I think the captaincy put extra stress and pressure on gudas that he wasn't ready for, like he's getting spread too thin. I think he'd be best just worrying about his game and not the well being of the team (at the scale that is required for captain). That said I don't want to give it to any of the kids until they prove they are leaders.

 

[NWWisconsinDuck]

I love gudas but I think the captaincy put extra stress and pressure on gudas that he wasn't ready for, like he's getting spread too thin. I think he'd be best just worrying about his game and not the well being of the team (at the scale that is required for captain). That said I don't want to give it to any of the kids until they prove they are leaders.

I think Terry has shown he is ready for and deserves the C, but I’m sure Cronin would rather give it to Killorn or Strome

 

[MCB]

I think Terry has shown he is ready for and deserves the C, but I’m sure Cronin would rather give it to Killorn or Strome

I agree with that, Terry isn't one of the kids imo. If I had to pick a replacement right now it would be either Terry or Trouba.

Sorry if I derailed this thread, the coaching sucks! Ok back on track!

 

[HanSolo]

He was by and large our best dman last season. And we only gave him 3 years. He’s our captain now. I know what you’re saying, but for all and all purpose it was a good signing.

Sure, I'm not saying he was a bad add or bad contract like, say, Bieksa. He was our best and really only solid defender last year. I just don't know that I'd personally call it an "amazing" signing with how his year has gone. His defensive play has been lacking and I question his impact as a leader wearing the "C" on his chest with the way things are going.

But that's not exactly Verbeek's fault and it's not unique to Gudas. Dumoulin in particular started off so strong and has become more or less a liability on our back end (and you can't discount that Fowler has looked miles better for St. Louis since the trade) and maybe Radko just isn't cut out to be "the" captain in the room.

It's not a bad signing, I wouldn't necessarily say it's great as things stand right now. It was a good signing if for no other reason than the fact that we got a true physical D on the blueline for the first time since Manson was shipped out (until we went out and got Trouba).

As a whole I think Verbeek has made more good moves than bad. And I think another thing people don't consider with FA signings and trade targets with NMCs or NTCs is we're a small market and struggling team in a market with a much higher tax burden than most. We're not exactly a premier destination for the kinds of players many fans on the internet see get moved to other teams and moan that Verbeek didn't pull the trigger for them. As it goes for player personnel, Verbeek is fighting an uphill battle every day. It's far more feasible for this team to return to competitive form through development of young talent than trying to play the transaction market.

That being said, all evidence is pointing to this team heavily struggling to develop its youth. Retaining Cronin and everyone else involved in player development this long with this much struggle is an indictment on Verbeek. Every game that passes is another game these kids will never get back. The more Verbeek sits and watches and prays Cronin has a breakthrough the longer the development of our youth suffers.

 

[robbieboy3686]

Sure, I'm not saying he was a bad add or bad contract like, say, Bieksa. He was our best and really only solid defender last year. I just don't know that I'd personally call it an "amazing" signing with how his year has gone. His defensive play has been lacking and I question his impact as a leader wearing the "C" on his chest with the way things are going.

But that's not exactly Verbeek's fault and it's not unique to Gudas. Dumoulin in particular started off so strong and has become more or less a liability on our back end (and you can't discount that Fowler has looked miles better for St. Louis since the trade) and maybe Radko just isn't cut out to be "the" captain in the room.

It's not a bad signing, I wouldn't necessarily say it's great as things stand right now. It was a good signing if for no other reason than the fact that we got a true physical D on the blueline for the first time since Manson was shipped out (until we went out and got Trouba).

As a whole I think Verbeek has made more good moves than bad. And I think another thing people don't consider with FA signings and trade targets with NMCs or NTCs is we're a small market and struggling team in a market with a much higher tax burden than most. We're not exactly a premier destination for the kinds of players many fans on the internet see get moved to other teams and moan that Verbeek didn't pull the trigger for them. As it goes for player personnel, Verbeek is fighting an uphill battle every day. It's far more feasible for this team to return to competitive form through development of young talent than trying to play the transaction market.

That being said, all evidence is pointing to this team heavily struggling to develop its youth. Retaining Cronin and everyone else involved in player development this long with this much struggle is an indictment on Verbeek. Every game that passes is another game these kids will never get back. The more Verbeek sits and watches and prays Cronin has a breakthrough the longer the development of our youth suffers.

Good post. Agreed

 

[Frosted Tips]

That being said, all evidence is pointing to this team heavily struggling to develop its youth. Retaining Cronin and everyone else involved in player development this long with this much struggle is an indictment on Verbeek. Every game that passes is another game these kids will never get back. The more Verbeek sits and watches and prays Cronin has a breakthrough the longer the development of our youth suffers.

This kind of scares me, as if I remember right, PV did a complete overhaul in the development team when he stepped in. If that was an issue back then and still continues to be an issue, I'm not sure if he's equipped to fix that?

 

[anezthes]

Last 7 games: 1 win, 6 losses, 10 GF (1.43 GF/GP), 26 GA (3.71 GA/GP).

 

[70sSanO]

I’m not sure there is anything left that hasn’t already been said. I don’t think Webster has invented any new words to describe how bad this year has been managed.

At this point my season goal for the Ducks is to finish ahead of Nashville. After seeing how their big free agent splash blew up on them, I can’t imagine how much worse the season might have been for us if we overpaid for a couple more under-performing vets.

John

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I’m not sure there is anything left that hasn’t already been said. I don’t think Webster has invented any new words to describe how bad this year has been managed.

At this point my season goal for the Ducks is to finish ahead of Nashville. After seeing how their big free agent splash blew up on them, I can’t imagine how much worse the season might have been for us if we overpaid for a couple more under-performing vets.

John

You can say that again.

 

[Steppin Razor]

Last 7 games: 1 win, 6 losses, 10 GF (1.43 GF/GP), 26 GA (3.71 GA/GP).

That's obscenely disgusting

 

[Static]

 

[Mr Rogers]

Wow, I actually agree with a ton of what he says. Our guys are a fire drill in the offensive zone, nobody has confidence with the puck and they let the defenders dictate what they’re gonna do with it.

 

[Deuce22]

Difficult to be a “possession” team when you are constantly trapped in your own zone. Or when you do have possession voluntarily give it up with frequent dump ins.

 

[dracom]

yeah none of that gives me any confidence. he is forcing a system that doesn't actually work with the roster he has and the players are suffering for it.

 

[All Mighty]

Well a lot of that quote goes against the prevailing ideas on this board that they are being told to dump the puck in instead of carrying it in. Is there any data that backs any of this up? Is it possible that the reason they theoretically dump the puck in often is more due to being tired from playing in the defensive zone rather than as an offensive strategy?

 

[Rasp]

This is some good stuff from Cronin. He is actually talking some sense instead of saying "I dont know"

 

[lwvs84]

Seems like he'd be a better assistant coach than a head coach. He can identify the problems, he just can't implement solutions

 

[Hockey Duckie]

yeah none of that gives me any confidence. he is forcing a system that doesn't actually work with the roster he has and the players are suffering for it.

I know the system isn't an organic system because Z's offense got nullified under Cronin. We have had quite a few veterans for the past two seasons, including Terry in that group, to help mold the team in a specific direction.

From the tweet:

"We're a rush team. We haven't established an offensive zone, puck-possession personality yet." ​

​

"So, saying that, we need to get, I call it, 'a ground game', where we can get possession [and] we can keep the the puck in the offensive zone. We can give a sense of offensive energy throughout the game. It's a work in progress. ... It just hasn't become a natural part of our personality." ​

Our offensive strategy is based upon "offensive energy"? I don't think we need "defensive energy" because there is an actual strategy there, which is hope our goaltenders stand on their heads.

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What is funny about Cronin talking about being a rush team, or transitional team or counter team, is that was what Mac did best last year with Vatrano and Strome. Then Cronin changed Mac's play to do dump & chase this year, which even the CTP guys (Jake & Felix) also denoted in their podcast. The problem is the players around Mac don't play that same style, which leaves Mac on an island many times.

We aren't a rush team. We're a counter team b/c Cronin won't sacrifice the defense for offense.