Speculation: 2024-25 Coaching/Management/Ownership

[Hockey Duckie]

Month 6 was a good month for the entire state of California.

You mean 5?

Month 5 was February. It was the fewest games played in the league. They couldn't have accumulated worse productions.

Here are the raw goal differential (or goal +/-) per game played.

 

[FiveTacos]

What's crazy is that just over a month ago people were praising Strome and his contract.

I still think he's fine for what he is and what he's paid ... it's his usage that's the problem. But that's not on him, any more than it was on Fowler the last few years for being deployed as if he were prime Pronger.

 

[ADHB]

Yep. He is your classic unexperienced/bad coach who says to himself, "This vets have been in the league and should know how to play so I better plat them more."

Its is really a bad attitude for an allegedly developing team. Scratching young players in the last few meaningless games is crazy town. If the team was truly trying to develop younger players, they would not have missed a game and veteran defenders would not be playing so much. I mean Strome on the PP over Cutter is nuts. Cronin is just a bad coach who needs to go.

Exactly. He seems to have this stupid belief (that tbf a lot of other coaches do) that if a guy is a vet, then he is more trustworthy than a young player. The other one is that if a guy is in the NHL and sucks at offense, then they must be really good defensively. I can’t see any other explanation for using 4th liners on d zone draws and on the PK so often. Lundestrom and Harkins aren’t good defensive players at all. They suck offensively, but they’re mediocre to bad defensively too. Your best defensive players are usually your best players, not your shittiest ones.

 

[zegrassyknoll]

We have a ton of young NCAA players (+ Killorn/Vatrano):

Helleson
LaCombe
Moore
Colangelo
Gauthier
Terry
Zegras
Nesterenko
Washe

We would be a good transition for Carle to come to the NHL, if he wanted to...

 

[TheDarkWingThatDucks]

Apparently, you are still psychologically messed to want to deflect on your faux pas of "close = a few years". And then you want to create a separate post to "explain" your laughing emoji is truly revealing about your current psychological makeup. This is your second attempt to get my attn is giving off vibes of "Look at me. Give me attn, damnit!"

History is factual. It gives us a standard to compare objectively. Some people don't like history and facts b/c it ruins their agenda. A majority of people forgot we were 3rd in the Pacific in 2021-22, then Verbeek blew it up. This year's team possessed more talent depth than the 2021-22 team, but this head coach doesn't possess the ability to elevate team play. But you wouldn't know that since history and facts can't bother someone who doesn't know that "close" and "a few years away" do not mean the same thing.

View attachment 1016410

I don’t mean this as disrespectfully as it’s going to come off …. is English your second language ?

It wasn’t a foe paw, time is relative. A few years away is close in my mind. The new Batman movie is a few years away, it will be here soon, we are close to a new Batman movie.

Fans who can’t accept 2-3 years as being close, basically are begging for a Gm to Expedia.com the rebuild. Or as some here say the VerbeakInIng.

You are the prime example the history is not factual. You use 3rd in the pacific so often. Yet we were like 6th in pt% per game. You spin this fairytale that we hadn’t played the most games that season, had about 4-5 teams with games in hand that could easily catch us. We did get injured and that helped tank the season.

we were 3rd …. Playing 65 games to everyone else’s 59 games. Yeah that can’t be misconstrued at all.

 

[HanSolo]

I don’t mean this as disrespectfully as it’s going to come off …. is English your second language ?

It wasn’t a foe paw, time is relative. A few years away is close in my mind. The new Batman movie is a few years away, it will be here soon, we are close to a new Batman movie.

Fans who can’t accept 2-3 years as being close, basically are begging for a Gm to Expedia.com the rebuild. Or as some here say the VerbeakInIng.

You are the prime example the history is not factual. You use 3rd in the pacific so often. Yet we were like 6th in pt% per game. You spin this fairytale that we hadn’t played the most games that season, had about 4-5 teams with games in hand that could easily catch us. We did get injured and that helped tank the season.

we were 3rd …. Playing 65 games to everyone else’s 59 games. Yeah that can’t be misconstrued at all.

I mean you can't ask that question and then misspell faux pas that badly.

 

[JAHV]

I mean you can't ask that question and then misspell faux pas that badly.

I assumed it was ironic. No?

 

[TheDarkWingThatDucks]

I mean you can't ask that question and then misspell faux pas that badly.

Did you see him say foe paw in his comment I was responding to ?

Sea, eye due airs t’wan porpoise two polk fonz.

 

[FiveTacos]

I mean you can't ask that question and then misspell faux pas that badly.

He wasn't talking about a faux pas.

And for your insolence you will soon receive a visit from the Foe Paw.

 

[HanSolo]

Did you see him say foe paw in his comment I was responding to ?

Sea, eye due airs t’wan porpoise two polk fonz.

I guess I didn't. My foe paw.

 

[Daz28]

I guess I didn't. My foe paw.

What is a foe paw? Greg Cronin: If you're not talking about when my cat scratches me, then I don't know.

 

[NWWisconsinDuck]

Is it possible that maybe we get our wish given that there has been no indication, no sources saying, no announcement, nothing that he’ll be back next year? Not even a mention of him by Verbeek?

I just feel like someone in the know would have indicated by now that sources expect him back next year. Maybe wishful thinking I know.

Or maybe a lot hinges on exit interviews that have yet to take place.

 

[HanSolo]

Is it possible that maybe we get our wish given that there has been no indication, no sources saying, no announcement, nothing that he’ll be back next year? Not even a mention of him by Verbeek?

I just feel like someone in the know would have indicated by now that sources expect him back next year. Maybe wishful thinking I know.

Or maybe a lot hinges on exit interviews that have yet to take place.

Last line. Nothing is happening until then.

 

[TopShelfWaterBottle]

my friend at church used to play for the islanders and skates with some of them in the summer. Don’t hold your breath for glaring reviews is all

 

[GunnarStahl]

my friend at church used to play for the islanders and skates with some of them in the summer. Don’t hold your breath for glaring reviews is all

So your friend is implying Cronin is actually a likable coach for many? Just want to make sure I'm understanding your statement properly.

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

People are gonna be surprised to hear when Gudas does have some sort of injury

 

[DavidBL]

Exactly. He seems to have this stupid belief (that tbf a lot of other coaches do) that if a guy is a vet, then he is more trustworthy than a young player. The other one is that if a guy is in the NHL and sucks at offense, then they must be really good defensively. I can’t see any other explanation for using 4th liners on d zone draws and on the PK so often. Lundestrom and Harkins aren’t good defensive players at all. They suck offensively, but they’re mediocre to bad defensively too. Your best defensive players are usually your best players, not your shittiest ones.

Honest question, if you dont use the 4th line as the defensive line which one DO you use? Leo and cutter and take away offensive zone time from them? Z and McT who are both questionable? Same for Vats and Strome? If you run 3 scoring lines either one is dual purpose which hurts their offense or you give that role to the 4th line, which if you have the right personnel isnt the end of the world.

Also to no one in particular, im pretty sure that a lot of decisions are based off minute management and not necessarily skill.

 

[Anaheim4ever]

Should they should wait to fire Cronin during the regular season in hopes some other team signs Torts so there is no risk of Verbeek making the mistake of hiring Torts.

 

[ADHB]

Honest question, if you dont use the 4th line as the defensive line which one DO you use? Leo and cutter and take away offensive zone time from them? Z and McT who are both questionable? Same for Vats and Strome? If you run 3 scoring lines either one is dual purpose which hurts their offense or you give that role to the 4th line, which if you have the right personnel isnt the end of the world.

Also to no one in particular, im pretty sure that a lot of decisions are based off minute management and not necessarily skill.

Yeah, the bottom line is they need legitimate 4th line level players who are actually good defensively, not below average at everything like Harkins, Lundestrom, etc.

But given what was on this year’s roster, honestly I’d have cut way down on the PK time for those guys and given them less defensive zone starts, because at least with the other lines, while it would take away some offensive zone time (which let’s be honest though wouldn’t affect much because they lose most of their draws, they’d be just as likely to end up there starting in the d zone as they would in the o zone), at least they’d have a fighting chance of getting the puck out cleanly because they’re not only better defensively, but superior players. The 4th line guys would be more likely to be hemmed in, and would be worse in coverage than the other lines because they’re inferior in terms of skill and talent.

Unfortunately that wasn’t gonna happen because they seemed determined to play their younger players under 20 minutes per game, and in some cases under 15.

 

[DavidBL]

Yeah, the bottom line is they need legitimate 4th line level players who are actually good defensively, not below average at everything like Harkins, Lundestrom, etc.

But given what was on this year’s roster, honestly I’d have cut way down on the PK time for those guys and given them less defensive zone starts, because at least with the other lines, while it would take away some offensive zone time (which let’s be honest though wouldn’t affect much because they lose most of their draws, they’d be just as likely to end up there starting in the d zone as they would in the o zone), at least they’d have a fighting chance of getting the puck out cleanly because they’re not only better defensively, but superior players. The 4th line guys would be more likely to be hemmed in, and would be worse in coverage than the other lines because they’re inferior in terms of skill and talent.

Unfortunately that wasn’t gonna happen because they seemed determined to play their younger players under 20 minutes per game, and in some cases under 15.

I think your last paragraph is really why we saw what we did. Rightly or wrongly.

 

[TopShelfWaterBottle]

So your friend is implying Cronin is actually a likable coach for many? Just want to make sure I'm understanding your statement properly.

Opposite same statements as spittin chicklets

 

[Leonardo87]

Ok this is how I see it. The Ducks went form 59 points to 80 points. Leo, Mac, Cutter, and LaCombe all took strides this season

He has another year left on his deal. I don’t think he is the coach to get them to the next level but like @MMC this is still a weak roster. Oh there’s potential but it’s inexperienced.

Verbeek needs to add a legit Top 6 to play with Cutter and Leo, and move Vatrano, Killorn, and Strome to the bottom 6. Also think another Top 4D stop gap will be needed. Gudas and Trouba should be getting less ice time.

Now after all that if the team doesn’t improve from 80 points next season , and the kids don’t take another step he needs to go. I will even hope it’s done midway, not wasting another full season. Have to hire some really good assistants who can bring the PP and PK back up. Also if one of them becomes an interim head coach. Want someone with experience at least.

 

[Gliff]

Ok this is how I see it. The Ducks went form 59 points to 80 points. Leo, Mac, Cutter, and LaCombe all took strides this season

He has another year left on his deal. I don’t think he is the coach to get them to the next level but like @MMC this is still a weak roster. Oh there’s potential but it’s inexperienced.

Verbeek needs to add a legit Top 6 to play with Cutter and Leo, and move Vatrano, Killorn, and Strome to the bottom 6. Also think another Top 4D stop gap will be needed. Gudas and Trouba should be getting less ice time.

Now after all that if the team doesn’t improve from 80 points next season , and the kids don’t take another step he needs to go. I will even hope it’s done midway, not wasting another full season. Have to hire some really good assistants who can bring the PP and PK back up. Also if one of them becomes an interim head coach. Want someone with experience at least.

Crediting him for the kids taking a step is fine. But they are elite-pedigree players taking an expected step. It shouldn't be some crowning achievement that undoes every other negative thing that happens from him being coach.

 

[Leonardo87]

Crediting him for the kids taking a step is fine. But they are elite-pedigree players taking an expected step. It shouldn't be some crowning achievement that undoes every other negative thing that happens from him being coach.

I think he held them back especially Leo and Mac. I want him gone but I’m saying it won’t happen till at least midway next season and even that can be stretch.

Trying to give Verbeek’s POV on this. He sees improvement, progress, but overall the team is still a mess. But he needs to add more support. Then it’s solely on Cronin next year.

 

[Mr Rogers]

I’m guessing exits won’t be until Monday or Tuesday