GDT: #42 ⋅ ANA @ PHI ⋅ 4:00 PM PST

[Zegs2sendhelp]

We don't know what led to the exchange, shit was chippy all night.

All I know is none of us would care if Gudas did that to Michkov.

lol literally nothing just amped up from the crowd

 

[JAHV]

He was booed pretty much until he left Edmonton. The first year, he was booed so loudly he got shaken and just lost the puck in his own zone.

This was the first game their fans got to see him. The online stuff is pathological, but this was 100% normal for an in-arena experience IMO.

I think Ducks fans handled Schultz the way it's supposed to be handled - boo him mercilessly in the arena (which we absolutely did as hard as Philly did), and otherwise, leave him alone. We complained about him on our own boards but I'm not aware of people leaving comments all over the Internet claiming he's satan incarnate and sending him threats.

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

I think Ducks fans handled Schultz the way it's supposed to be handled - boo him mercilessly in the arena (which we absolutely did as hard as Philly did), and otherwise, leave him alone. We complained about him on our own boards but I'm not aware of people leaving comments all over the Internet claiming he's satan incarnate and sending him threats.

I also don’t remember his name being chanted when he wasn’t even on the ice, or ever really

 

[Hey234]

Another unfortunate game; these are tough to get through. In certain moments during each game, the talent of this team is evident. At the same time, it is also undeniable at this point that it is being misused. The wins were great but obviously propped up by lucky goals by only a few players and crazy good goaltending. When that stopped, here we are.

At it's core, a coach needs to create an effective system. Cronin's system failed last year, failed at the start of this year, and this 3rd system in 1.5 years is also not working. Also it's core, a coach needs to provide an environment where players develop, grow, and improve. In 1.5 years, which forward has improved significantly? On defense, LaCombe? Helleson maybe?

The Ducks are in the bottom of the league in so many categories. It's overwhelming and disappointing because they should be better. I think Verbeek, overall, has made good decisions with the team. But Cronin is a huge miss, and it's time to be humble and fix this mistake.

 

[la patineuse]

What a perfect to cap off a shitty week.

 

[Ducks DVM]

But they just came off and awesome stretch of hockey and seemed to all be getting in rhythm. That's what's confusing to me because I agree with you, but usually it's all or nothing.

They have no top line players.

The goaltenders were playing over their heads, they’ve been mortal the last few games.

For all people wanted to deny they were playing teams on back to backs, who were frequently struggling, that was absolutely occurring.

We played two teams with an emotional reason to beat us.

Losing these games was entirely predictable. Maybe not this badly, but the chance of winning essentially went to zero when Terry went out.

 

[2faded]

What an embarrassment that game was. They got punked the whole game and outside of a couple guys just took it. That will never survive the playoffs.

 

[HanSolo]

Another unfortunate game; these are tough to get through. In certain moments during each game, the talent of this team is evident. At the same time, it is also undeniable at this point that it is being misused. The wins were great but obviously propped up by lucky goals by only a few players and crazy good goaltending. When that stopped, here we are.

At it's core, a coach needs to create an effective system. Cronin's system failed last year, failed at the start of this year, and this 3rd system in 1.5 years is also not working. Also it's core, a coach needs to provide an environment where players develop, grow, and improve. In 1.5 years, which forward has improved significantly? On defense, LaCombe? Helleson maybe?

The Ducks are in the bottom of the league in so many categories. It's overwhelming and disappointing because they should be better. I think Verbeek, overall, has made good decisions with the team. But Cronin is a huge miss, and it's time to be humble and fix this mistake.

Let's be honest. Cronin had nothing to do with Helleson's development. He came in and surprised with his solid play but it's not like it's been progressing from there.

But we have to keep in mind, Cronin isn't the only one responsible for developing the kids. We have a director of player development and, I'd assume he has a staff. This team has struggled for years to develop forwards and lately, they haven't looked too good at developing our crop of defenders. Cronin was brought on as a development coach and he's failing at that. But there are others who have their hands in molding and guiding the kids to maximize their potential and right now they're failing. If Cronin goes, they should go too.

 

[Leonardo87]

They have no top line players.

The goaltenders were playing over their heads, they’ve been mortal the last few games.

For all people wanted to deny they were playing teams on back to backs, who were frequently struggling, that was absolutely occurring.

We played two teams with an emotional reason to beat us.

Losing these games was entirely predictable. Maybe not this badly, but the chance of winning essentially went to zero when Terry went out.

This is the very issue, if they are relying on one Troy Terry to score goals, not good. Do the Leo’s, Mac’s, Cutter’s, Strome’s , Killorn’s and Vatrano’s have to step up? Absolutely. But under this coaching and system it’s like trying to move mountains.

 

[TheStuntman]

I didn't watch the game too much, has the team tuned out/given up on Cronin?

 

[HanSolo]

They have no top line players.

The goaltenders were playing over their heads, they’ve been mortal the last few games.

For all people wanted to deny they were playing teams on back to backs, who were frequently struggling, that was absolutely occurring.

We played two teams with an emotional reason to beat us.

Losing these games was entirely predictable. Maybe not this badly, but the chance of winning essentially went to zero when Terry went out.

I don't understand this mindset. The team was beating better teams for a number of reasons. There's no question that Terry's impact on this team is second to none and I've said multiple times he's really turned it around but I don't see this collapse as a "what if the Oilers lost both McDavid and Draisaitl at the same time" situation.

Yeah Terry scores mode than anyone else and reliably generates chances. But we didn't win those games against teams like Winnipeg and Edmonton purely on the offense he chipped in. The team played with better defensive structure, the goalies made timely saves, the offense featured cleaner passing, the team worked harder to win puck battles. None of that happened the past two games and you could argue the cracks started forming in that first game without Terry. My point is those were still team wins at the end of the day. And they showed that this team can work hard and play efficiently and effectively when properly prepared.

I just can't buy that Terry being absent crushed the team so emotionally and mentally that everything that was building on that run just tanked. To me it seems more likely that the team was not adequately prepared for these games and Cronin couldn't figure out how to motivate the boys to play like they had been prior.

 

[robbieboy3686]

I don't understand this mindset. The team was beating better teams for a number of reasons. There's no question that Terry's impact on this team is second to none and I've said multiple times he's really turned it around but I don't see this collapse as a "what if the Oilers lost both McDavid and Draisaitl at the same time" situation.

Yeah Terry scores mode than anyone else and reliably generates chances. But we didn't win those games against teams like Winnipeg and Edmonton purely on the offense he chipped in. The team played with better defensive structure, the goalies made timely saves, the offense featured cleaner passing, the team worked harder to win puck battles. None of that happened the past two games and you could argue the cracks started forming in that first game without Terry. My point is those were still team wins at the end of the day. And they showed that this team can work hard and play efficiently and effectively when properly prepared.

I just can't buy that Terry being absent crushed the team so emotionally and mentally that everything that was building on that run just tanked. To me it seems more likely that the team was not adequately prepared for these games and Cronin couldn't figure out how to motivate the boys to play like they had been prior.

If anything the team should play hard for teddy and his new baby( who may have been born prematurely) you don’t just play uninspired hockey without him

 

[Tecumseh]

We may not have any top line players but we have much more talent than we’re showing. Leo, Cutter, MacTavish, Vatrano, hell maybe even Killorn are perfectly capable of giving us more than what Cronin is getting out of them. We have a head coach with no intelligible system and no motivational skills. I think we need to start looking closer at those higher up in the organization at not only Verbeek but Madden too.

 

[HanSolo]

If anything the team should play hard for teddy and his new baby( who may have been born prematurely) you don’t just play uninspired hockey without him

I mean I'm sure missing him from the lineup had an effect but I kept seeing people talk like we had no chance to win these past three games without Terry. I don't buy that. Yes it's a worse team without him but no so bad that there was no possible way we could have won tonight or Thursday.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Two games without Terry and this these are the results so far?! I'm glad I missed the game.

I know Cronin gets a lot of the blame, but Verbeek hired Cronin to be his avatar.

As others have mentioned, we have only one top-6 forward on the team in Terry. And his offensive game hasn't been decimated by Cronin b/c Terry's had years of development to become and remain a top level player prior to Cronin. The rest of our youth are still figuring the league and themselves at this level. And that is where Cronin is ruining our franchise b/c we aren't developing top-6 forwards in his two seasons with our plethora of top-10 picks.

Similarly, LaCombe learned to be a 2-way guy in college. The way LaCombe is playing now was the way he was playing in his junior and senior year in college. He just needed a year to season in the NHL. But I guess Cronin being too hard on him in his rookie season did lead to LaCombe seeking mental help to overcome some obstacles and found it in boxing. LaCombe needed that extra boost for the NHL level, but it probably was the wrong way to go about it for Cronin.

Our OFD's are still struggling to play defense. Our DFD in Helleson has looked great in that role at the NHL level. Yet in the AHL, the org was forcing Helleson into being an all around top-pairing D between two different head coaches. Helleson was told to simplify his game at the NHL level. No idea if that's development or sheltering a rookie.

 

[Ducks DVM]

I don't understand this mindset. The team was beating better teams for a number of reasons. There's no question that Terry's impact on this team is second to none and I've said multiple times he's really turned it around but I don't see this collapse as a "what if the Oilers lost both McDavid and Draisaitl at the same time" situation.

Yeah Terry scores mode than anyone else and reliably generates chances. But we didn't win those games against teams like Winnipeg and Edmonton purely on the offense he chipped in. The team played with better defensive structure, the goalies made timely saves, the offense featured cleaner passing, the team worked harder to win puck battles. None of that happened the past two games and you could argue the cracks started forming in that first game without Terry. My point is those were still team wins at the end of the day. And they showed that this team can work hard and play efficiently and effectively when properly prepared.

I just can't buy that Terry being absent crushed the team so emotionally and mentally that everything that was building on that run just tanked. To me it seems more likely that the team was not adequately prepared for these games and Cronin couldn't figure out how to motivate the boys to play like they had been prior.

I didn’t say that not having Terry crushed the team emotionally.

Terry HARD carries that line. The strategy is “get the puck to Terry, then watch him score or get in position to score”. He’s the only player that can play through another team’s checking roster. Without him, we have zero lines that the other team needs to dedicate their better players to, meaning they control all the matchups, and they have the better line across all 4 lines.

It is irrelevant that ‘the wins are still wins”. The factors I mentioned are real, and were never going to last. As I said in another thread, I really want to see a Venn diagram of people who said the Eakins roster needed to be broken up because it was being carried by goalie play and favorable matchups, and the people who are saying that this team is good because goalies are part of the team and people pointing out how there have been favorable matchups are simply haters.

 

[mightyquack]

Terrible game.

Still amusing that Philly are so upset about getting a top 4 defenceman for their top 6 potential forward. You'd think Gauthier just f***ed off and left for nothing. Such a loser and overrated fanbase that is weirdly proud across all their sport teams for being known as massive assholes.

 

[Leonardo87]

Terrible game.

Still amusing that Philly are so upset about getting a top 4 defenceman for their top 6 potential forward. You'd think Gauthier just f***ed off and left for nothing. Such a loser and overrated fanbase that is weirdly proud across all their sport teams for being known as massive assholes.

You are being too nice. Lol.

 

[mightyquack]

You are being too nice. Lol.

There are other words I could have chosen that would see me on a long vacation

 

[Tecumseh]

Philadelphia sports fans are the epitome of can dish it out but can’t take it. The people they hate the most are either the ones who rejected them or former players who publicly called out the fanbase for their abhorrent behavior

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I don't understand this mindset. The team was beating better teams for a number of reasons. There's no question that Terry's impact on this team is second to none and I've said multiple times he's really turned it around but I don't see this collapse as a "what if the Oilers lost both McDavid and Draisaitl at the same time" situation.

Yeah Terry scores mode than anyone else and reliably generates chances. But we didn't win those games against teams like Winnipeg and Edmonton purely on the offense he chipped in. The team played with better defensive structure, the goalies made timely saves, the offense featured cleaner passing, the team worked harder to win puck battles. None of that happened the past two games and you could argue the cracks started forming in that first game without Terry. My point is those were still team wins at the end of the day. And they showed that this team can work hard and play efficiently and effectively when properly prepared.

I just can't buy that Terry being absent crushed the team so emotionally and mentally that everything that was building on that run just tanked. To me it seems more likely that the team was not adequately prepared for these games and Cronin couldn't figure out how to motivate the boys to play like they had been prior.

I covered that Terry's scoring helped us win three games we won out of four wins when we lost the High Danger scoring Chances (HDC) differential in a recent GDT.

• Gm 36 vs NJ
  • Result: Duck 3, NJ 2
  • HDC Diff = -8 for Ducks
  • Terry scoring: 1g + 0a ... Scored the first goal

• Gm 37 vs WPG
  • Result: Duck 4, WPG 3
  • HDC Diff = -8 for Ducks
  • Terry scoring: 2g + 1a ... Scored the OT goal

• Gm 39 vs TB
  • Result: Duck 4, TB 1
  • HDC Diff = -5 for Ducks
  • Terry scoring: 1g + 1a ... Scored the first goal

Great goal tending + Scoring Terry helps to give the team confidence. On this road trip, no Scoring from Terry and no great goal tending.

What I do wonder is did seeing Fowler affect the team's psyche on top of missing Terry? Cronin needs to use his wiles to stabilize the ship b/c "I don't know." isn't strategy.

 

[Ducks DVM]

I mean I'm sure missing him from the lineup had an effect but I kept seeing people talk like we had no chance to win these past three games without Terry. I don't buy that. Yes it's a worse team without him but no so bad that there was no possible way we could have won tonight or Thursday.

Philadelphia had a 20 goal scorer, a 13 goal scorer, two 12 goal scorers tonight.

St. Louis had a 19 goal scorer, a 15 goal scorer, and three 11 goal scorers.

Calgary has 17, 15, and 10, although I don’t remember anyone saying that we had no chance against them, but two of those guys scored and we broke the other one.

Frank has 11, then we have a cluster of people with 8. Terry has 13.

It takes a perfect team game for us to win.

 

[HanSolo]

Philadelphia had a 20 goal scorer, a 13 goal scorer, two 12 goal scorers tonight.

St. Louis had a 19 goal scorer, a 15 goal scorer, and three 11 goal scorers.

Calgary has 17, 15, and 10, although I don’t remember anyone saying that we had no chance against them, but two of those guys scored and we broke the other one.

Frank has 11, then we have a cluster of people with 8. Terry has 13.

It takes a perfect team game for us to win.

I don't know that I'd go that far. I don't think we've had a perfect team game once this year.

 

[dracom]

 

[HanSolo]

I didn’t say that not having Terry crushed the team emotionally.

Terry HARD carries that line. The strategy is “get the puck to Terry, then watch him score or get in position to score”. He’s the only player that can play through another team’s checking roster. Without him, we have zero lines that the other team needs to dedicate their better players to, meaning they control all the matchups, and they have the better line across all 4 lines.

It is irrelevant that ‘the wins are still wins”. The factors I mentioned are real, and were never going to last. As I said in another thread, I really want to see a Venn diagram of people who said the Eakins roster needed to be broken up because it was being carried by goalie play and favorable matchups, and the people who are saying that this team is good because goalies are part of the team and people pointing out how there have been favorable matchups are simply haters.

I mean even taking that as true, the team suffered a lot more problems than just not scoring. Terry can do a lot and I'll even concede that not having him affects confidence. It's on the remaining leadership and the coaches to get the team as a unit to overcome that. We're still in a development year so it's still fine if we lose. We lost these past two games failing at virtually every facet of the sport. I don't think Terry's impact goes that far, and if it does, this team is well and truly f***ed until more guys are good enough to step up.