Speculation: 2024-25 Coaching/Management/Ownership

[zegrassyknoll]

With one year still left, the justification is that the owners don't want to pay two coaches. The Samuelis have been incredibly reluctant to allow GMs the leeway to fire coaches more than a couple months early. If Cronin has a guaranteed contract next year, I don't think ownership lets Verbeek fire him, even if he wanted to.

That's why I noted his contract can't be that expensive.

I'm sorry, there's just no way I believe that the Samuelis are going to be upset about having Cronin's contract on the books for a year. He can't be making more than $2mil.

If that were really the case then they wouldn't let Verbeek pick up a player like Kylington, who is making $1mil to play at most 5 games this season.

 

[Mr Rogers]

But honestly don't think there's any real insight from LeBrun here. He might have another year on his contract but as a first-time NHL coach with no history of success I can't imagine it's a very expensive contract.

As others have said, I think a lot will depend on what the players say. As worthless as it is, my opinion of Verbeek would dip pretty significantly if he brings Cronin back, though. Just no justification for it.

I don't think he'd report it if he were hearing of evidence to the contrary. I feel like Lebrun is very rarely wrong about the Ducks as well.

In general, not talking about you specifically, but media sources are just written off way way too easily around here. Like a lot of times something will be posted by a journalist and immediately people will start saying oh that's trash, he doesn't know anything about ducks etc etc. There are a lot of annoying media personalities, and nobody is perfect, but often times they aren't just spewing stuff based on nothing.

Pagnotta is one exception, he truly is a trash reporter

 

[zegrassyknoll]

I don't think he'd report it if he were hearing of evidence to the contrary. I feel like Lebrun is very rarely wrong about the Ducks as well.

In general, not talking about you specifically, but media sources are just written off way way too easily around here. Like a lot of times something will be posted by a journalist and immediately people will start saying oh that's trash, he doesn't know anything about ducks etc etc. There are a lot of annoying media personalities, and nobody is perfect, but often times they aren't just spewing stuff based on nothing.

Pagnotta is one exception, he truly is a trash reporter

I agree with you about reporters being dismissed too easily, but LeBrun isn't reporting anything here. He's not saying that he's heard that will be the plan or anything, he's simply doing the math himself and speculating. He even says "I think."

Like if Cronin did get fired, LeBrun wouldn't be "wrong" here in that he's saying the wrong thing.

 

[JAHV]

That's why I noted his contract can't be that expensive.

I'm sorry, there's just no way I believe that the Samuelis are going to be upset about having Cronin's contract on the books for a year. He can't be making more than $2mil.

If that were really the case then they wouldn't let Verbeek pick up a player like Kylington, who is making $1mil to play at most 5 games this season.

I don't think those things are equivalent, nor is that accurate. Kylington will only make about $200k as a member of the Ducks, and the Ducks were going to fill that 7D role anyway, whether from within or without. If they brought a guy up, that guy would have earned about $150k for the remainder of the year. If your speculation is accurate, firing Cronin before next season is $2 million in dead money. Signing Kylington cost about $50k.

Perhaps you're right that the Samuelis won't care about writing off Cronin's salary. But I don't think they've ever let go of a coach with a year or more left on his contract. Eakins' contract was up, and I believe Boudreau was also let go at the end of his contract. Carlyle was relieved of duty twice midseason, but once was only because Boudreau had become available and the second time things had gotten so bad that Bob Murray had to come down and coach the team himself (and that was late in the season).

I would love to see a new coach come in next season. I think there are plenty of job-related under-performances to justify eating a year of Cronin's salary. I'm just skeptical that the Samuelis have the stomach for it. They've been reluctant in the past to make these kinds of moves.

 

[Mr Rogers]

I agree with you about reporters being dismissed too easily, but LeBrun isn't reporting anything here. He's not saying that he's heard that will be the plan or anything, he's simply doing the math himself and speculating. He even says "I think."

Like if Cronin did get fired, LeBrun wouldn't be "wrong" here in that he's saying the wrong thing.

I still find it hard to believe he’s absolutely clueless of goings on around the league because his track record is quite strong.

And he may not be wrong on the technicality of semantics, but it wouldn’t be a good look to take a side on something and the opposite ends up happening.

I watched the video of him on with Gino Reda recently and he clearly talks to people. I feel like insiders will often use that language because nothing is ever certain in this business, but I don’t think he’s completely siloed in all of this.

 

[zegrassyknoll]

I don't think those things are equivalent, nor is that accurate. Kylington will only make about $200k as a member of the Ducks, and the Ducks were going to fill that 7D role anyway, whether from within or without. If they brought a guy up, that guy would have earned about $150k for the remainder of the year. If your speculation is accurate, firing Cronin before next season is $2 million in dead money. Signing Kylington cost about $50k.

Perhaps you're right that the Samuelis won't care about writing off Cronin's salary. But I don't think they've ever let go of a coach with a year or more left on his contract. Eakins' contract was up, and I believe Boudreau was also let go at the end of his contract. Carlyle was relieved of duty twice midseason, but once was only because Boudreau had become available and the second time things had gotten so bad that Bob Murray had to come down and coach the team himself (and that was late in the season).

I would love to see a new coach come in next season. I think there are plenty of job-related under-performances to justify eating a year of Cronin's salary. I'm just skeptical that the Samuelis have the stomach for it. They've been reluctant in the past to make these kinds of moves.

It's only truly dead if that's what his contract states - but again, my point is that as a brand new coach, Cronin has literally 0 leverage in his negotiation. For all we know it's a rolling contract that would be nullified if he was fired.

Maybe it's been the Samuelis who don't have the stomach for it but maybe it was Murray who didn't like to do it. Him taking the job himself was a pretty extraordinary measure and it reeks (to me) of it being his idea to not hire another coach, not the Samuelis.

I still find it hard to believe he’s absolutely clueless of goings on around the league because his track record is quite strong.

And he may not be wrong on the technicality of semantics, but it wouldn’t be a good look to take a side on something and the opposite ends up happening.

I watched the video of him on with Gino Reda recently and he clearly talks to people. I feel like insiders will often use that language because nothing is ever certain in this business, but I don’t think he’s completely siloed in all of this.

I think most insiders are pretty siloed from the Ducks in general, TBH. I also think when they have heard murmurs about something, they almost always flex that with statements like "I'm hearing" or "It's believed." I mean the paragraph itself is LeBrun laying out his own logic and then stating his own belief, literally 0 reference to anyone outside of himself.

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

Given the Ducks history of having option years on coaches (certainly at least with Eakins) and given the desire to never pay more than one coach in a season, I feel quite confidant that Cronin's contract has an option year. So the question is, did he get 2 years guaranteed with a option for year 3, or 3 years guaranteed with an option for year 4?

Given that PV hired a guy from out in left field as far as NHL head coaching goes, my bet is that next year is only an option year. I don't believe this team would guarantee Cronin 3 full years.

Despite all that, I'm fairly confidant he will be back.

 

[Unholy]

At the very least Clune should be gone. Won’t bat an eye if the other ACs are gone too. Still on the side of wanting someone else as HC but if the ACs are gone and the players have come around on Cronin.. still a bit iffy though.
Worst case scenario for me is both Cronin and Clune are here next season and just hoping things click more with another season.. can’t just keep saying you want to play a certain way and do certain things and it just not happening and then hoping it just works the next year.

God especially if Sennecke makes the team.

 

[Mr Rogers]

It's only truly dead if that's what his contract states - but again, my point is that as a brand new coach, Cronin has literally 0 leverage in his negotiation. For all we know it's a rolling contract that would be nullified if he was fired.

Maybe it's been the Samuelis who don't have the stomach for it but maybe it was Murray who didn't like to do it. Him taking the job himself was a pretty extraordinary measure and it reeks (to me) of it being his idea to not hire another coach, not the Samuelis.

I think most insiders are pretty siloed from the Ducks in general, TBH. I also think when they have heard murmurs about something, they almost always flex that with statements like "I'm hearing" or "It's believed." I mean the paragraph itself is LeBrun laying out his own logic and then stating his own belief, literally 0 reference to anyone outside of himself.

Yeah I guess we’re just interpreting differently which is fine. I don’t think that language is necessarily indicative of him having done no due diligence on it.

He wouldn’t be doing his job in some ways, and i just kind of doubt he'd throw caution to the wind and give his opinion about something where the only source of knowledge is his own head. I mean it actually would be a pretty big thing to get wrong and i don't think these guys are looking for or even are considering little escape paths based on semantics. There is a lot of hubris/ego amongst insiders.

A lot of guys speak/write like this, Friedman does, Bob McKenzie did as well

 

[MMC]

Given that PV hired a guy from out in left field as far as NHL head coaching goes, my bet is that next year is only an option year. I don't believe this team would guarantee Cronin 3 full years.

If it were this Lebrun would’ve put him in the same category as Tocchet, expiring this year but has a club option

 

[Rybread86]

I think the exit interviews will be very informative for Verbeek. At the end of the day, he's going to ask his players how they feel about the coach and if they back him, he's here next year. If they voice issues, that's different. There's lots of data points and anecdotal evidence to show that Cronin has not been successful as the coach. IMO the players opinion will weigh heavier than a few more wins this season.

Personally, I think he's gone in the summer. I think the players don't like him, and the numbers don't support him.

I agree, I think it will come down to the players. For all the negative, he has appeared to take some of the feedback from last year to heart.

I want him gone as much as the next guy, however, the team is battling and havent appeared to turn on him or tune him out. They have showed improvement, few guys starting to break out.

I would not be surprised to see Cronin at least start the season next year behind the bench. How short that leash is, is another question. And I have a feeling Cronins future also depends on the availability of other coaches Beeker might have his eye on.

 

[MMC]

I agree, I think it will come down to the players. For all the negative, he has appeared to take some of the feedback from last year to heart.

I want him gone as much as the next guy, however, the team is battling and havent appeared to turn on him or tune him out. They have showed improvement, few guys starting to break out.

I would not be surprised to see Cronin at least start the season next year behind the bench. How short that leash is, is another question. And I have a feeling Cronins future also depends on the availability of other coaches Beeker might have his eye on.

This is what I’m expecting. Cronin will be back next season but PV will tell him that he won’t accept regression from this past season. If the team at any point next season is struggling to stay in the playoff race he’ll be gone. If they make the playoffs next season I imagine he’ll get extended. If they stay in the race all year but ultimately miss I think PV will pick up his option if he doesn’t think he can hire a coach he wants to replace him and will decline it if he can bring in that coach.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I'd like to give a shoutout to asst coach (goalie coach) Peter Budaj for reviving our goalies. Last year, we had an assistant goalie coach, David Rook, to pick up the slack while Sudsie was battling cancer. With Budai becoming the goalie coach, our netminders are back on point, especially Gibson.

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

If it were this Lebrun would’ve put him in the same category as Tocchet, expiring this year but has a club option

Assuming LeBrun actually knew.

Let's be honest, LeBrun first and foremost is a Toronto homer and his world revolves around being inside all things Toronto. When that doesn't take up 100% of his time, he moves on to all things Canada. Whether or not he gets a rumor/fact right about a California bottom feeder is the furthest thing from important to the only people he cares about sucking up to.

Given how tight lipped the Ducks always are about anything and how little this isssue matters to the rest of the hockey world it's far from given LeBrun actually knows Cronin's exact status or that he would ever look bad to the audience he cars about, if he actually got it wrong.

LeBrun might be right, but it's hardly a given he is, in this situation.

 

[robbieboy3686]

Given the Ducks history of having option years on coaches (certainly at least with Eakins) and given the desire to never pay more than one coach in a season, I feel quite confidant that Cronin's contract has an option year. So the question is, did he get 2 years guaranteed with a option for year 3, or 3 years guaranteed with an option for year 4?

Given that PV hired a guy from out in left field as far as NHL head coaching goes, my bet is that next year is only an option year. I don't believe this team would guarantee Cronin 3 full years.

Despite all that, I'm fairly confidant he will be back.

There’s no possible way it’s 3 and optional 4th for a first time nhl coach

 

[MMC]

There’s no possible way it’s 3 and optional 4th for a first time nhl coach

Can you point to any head coaches who were hired on a contract of less than 3 years? Because that seems to be the standard. Some teams will go more to secure their guy but I can’t think of any coaches off the top of my head who didn’t get hired on at least a 3 year deal

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

There’s no possible way it’s 3 and optional 4th for a first time nhl coach

You’re preaching to the choir.

 

[KelVarnsen]

I want Cronin gone as much as anyone. He’s a bad coach buoyed by stellar goaltending this year.

But if it’s a 3 year deal, he will 100% be back next year.

 

[zegrassyknoll]

In games like last night I see Cronin's impact in things like rolling out the 4th line at the start of periods/when we need a goal and bad PP where they're more focused on taking bad shots than on setting up good ones.

It's reassuring that it seems like our players can succeed despite him.

 

[Deuce22]

In games like last night I see Cronin's impact in things like rolling out the 4th line at the start of periods/when we need a goal and bad PP where they're more focused on taking bad shots than on setting up good ones.

It's reassuring that it seems like our players can succeed despite him.

But imagine the possibilities…

 

[Anaheim4ever]

They need to at least fire the assistant coaches and bring in ones that know what a powerplay is.

 

[Leonardo87]

Ducks are at .500 , Carlsson and McTavish are starting to break out…

@MMC owes me a meet and greet with Wild Wing tomorrow. lol

 

[TheDarkWingThatDucks]

At the very least Clune should be gone. Won’t bat an eye if the other ACs are gone too. Still on the side of wanting someone else as HC but if the ACs are gone and the players have come around on Cronin.. still a bit iffy though.
Worst case scenario for me is both Cronin and Clune are here next season and just hoping things click more with another season.. can’t just keep saying you want to play a certain way and do certain things and it just not happening and then hoping it just works the next year.

God especially if Sennecke makes the team.

Clune doesn’t need to be gone. In the same way you view players as prospects, at 37 year old coach can be seen as the same. The jets have the best PP in the league and their PP coach was fired after being bottom 3 with another team for multiple seasons.

Context matters, hopefully Verbeek allows the kids gloves to be taken off next season and we get the old men off PP1 and the young guns on the PK.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

I think the Ducks have a bright future, just need a good coach and a young starting goaltender.

I think Trouba helps with the veteran side of things though because that's something they do need.

I think if the Canucks do shop Demko would be the perfect spot for him to have a fresh start.

 

[shach1]

I think the Ducks have a bright future, just need a good coach and a young starting goaltender.

I think Trouba helps with the veteran side of things though because that's something they do need.

I think if the Canucks do shop Demko would be the perfect spot for him to have a fresh start.

We have a goalie already. His name is Lucas Dostal.