GDT: #82 ⋅ ANA @ WPG ⋅ 4:00 PM PDT

[Mr Rogers]

Because I was told this man was at least receptive to the idea of analytics (actually looks like he's expanded the department), and those...well, let's just say they don't paint the best picture of Cronin's job performance.

We’ll see. Not holding my breath

 

[HanSolo]

Because I was told this man was at least receptive to the idea of analytics (actually looks like he's expanded the department), and those...well, let's just say they don't paint the best picture of Cronin's job performance.

Raw stats and advanced stats. The only stat that looks good for him is the team's standing points.

He had a primary job to get this team to play better defensively this year and the team actually got worse defensively with a more healthy lineup and fewer penalty kills. He didn't coach the team for a quarter of the season last year and they were (slightly) better at shot suppression.

Like the Habs team that went to the cup found a way to get a very weak roster to play very good defense that, along with lights out play from Price, dragged a non playoff team to a cup final. I don't buy for a second the defensive struggles are on the players. Cronin is not competent at the NHL level.

 

[Big Fat Rebound]

We’ll see. Not holding my breath

Oh don't get me wrong, this is simply copium. I would love to be wrong, but my money's been on him returning since the end of February.

 

[Hamilton Bulldogs]

It's finally over

 

[Anaheim4ever]

Just went to the sim...
View attachment 1015772

The Misa tower to the Ducks. Would be insane to have that many guys with elite shots lol.
Sennecke, McTavish, Cutter, Misa,

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Because I was told this man was at least receptive to the idea of analytics (actually looks like he's expanded the department), and those...well, let's just say they don't paint the best picture of Cronin's job performance.

MVP to goalie coach Budaj! Not only did he improve Dostal and Gibby, the he was able to revive Husso into playing on top of his head! I think Husso has just improved his stock on remaining in the NHL with some team.

Husso's stats with the Ducks

 

[tomd]

5-5-2 for 12 points in their last 12 games. Not bad...better than most were expecting.

 

[duckaroosky]

I feel weird right now. I'm sad ducks hockey is over but at the same time I couldn't take watching anymore half-assed, let down games. And I can't even say I'm looking forward to the draft or next season. I think they've broken me.

 

[dracom]

my reaction every time i see cronin still behind the bench

 

[Mr Rogers]

I don’t post much, but cheers to another season. Thanks for the entertainment.

Agreed. It’s been real. I’ve been around for a while and this is the most engaging and fun it’s ever been to be apart of the community.

 

[Leonardo87]

Well this season wasn't great but it felt good to rejoin you guys for GDTs and discussions about this team. Hope we can all celebrate a cleaning house of the coaching staff (minus the goalies coaches) very very soon.

I have to calm down. Really upset how this ended.

my reaction every time i see cronin still behind the bench

That was me except it was an empty cup of coffee i through across the room. Feel ya Mac.

 

[Terry Yake]

sadly, the only reason this team even finished this close to .500 is because of solid goaltending

nonexistent PP, brain dead coaching, and shitty seasons from most of the vets sum up this team

 

[Arthuros]

I think we owe it to ourselves to have one last glass of ranch water for the road.

 

[Tecumseh]

The truth is that the goalies kept us afloat while we were giving up 40 shots pretty much every game this year. You keep Cronin and we’ll see Dostal’s competitive fire drained from him just like what happened with Gibson.

 

[duckaroosky]

I think we owe it to ourselves to have one last glass of ranch water for the road.

I just read what you wrote in the first goal of the game thread and I think you've had enough. Put the ranch water down!

 

[Hockey Duckie]

5-5-2 for 12 points in their last 12 games. Not bad...better than most were expecting.

It's more about being lucky than good. It felt great seeing NYR choke a 4-2 lead with six minutes left in the game. We escaped the Oiler's AHL team 3-2, but the SOG was Ducks 21, Oilers 39. Similar thing happened in beating Calgary 4-3 in OT; SOG was Ducks 23 and Flames 39. The two OT losses has similar SOG disparities: Ducks 29, Wild 40 and Ducks 31, Jets 44.

Big kudos to goalie coach Budaj and all of our netminders!

 

[Arthuros]

I just read what you wrote in the first goal of the game thread and I think you've had enough. Put the ranch water down!

It is only through the enlightenment obtained through the refreshing taste of ranch water that I was able to muster up the strength to have ChatGPT write an acceptance speech for me.

 

[Leonardo87]

sadly, the only reason this team even finished this close to .500 is because of solid goaltending

nonexistent PP, brain dead coaching, and shitty seasons from most of the vets sum up this team

Also, the individual efforts of some of the kids like Cutter, Mac, and Leo. They made excellent strides in the 2nd half but I feel Cronin still kept them from really breaking out.

Imagine a competent coaching system and PP? Sadly, Cronin will be back, there are not going to fire him because there was improvement to the kids and the standings. Team is still a mess, but if this happens half way through next season, he is as good as gone.

 

[JonathnTaylorTavares]

Atleast now we can focus our attention on rooting against the Habs and the Kings

 

[Tecumseh]

Atleast now we can focus our attention on rooting against the Habs and the Kings

Oilers too. Also I hear that Landeskog’s back so the Avs go on my hate list.

 

[HanSolo]

It's more about being lucky than good. It felt great seeing NYR choke a 4-2 lead with six minutes left in the game. We escaped the Oiler's AHL team 3-2, but the SOG was Ducks 21, Oilers 39. Similar thing happened in beating Calgary 4-3 in OT; SOG was Ducks 23 and Flames 39. The two OT losses has similar SOG disparities: Ducks 29, Wild 40 and Ducks 31, Jets 44.

Big kudos to goalie coach Budaj and all of our netminders!

We may legitimately have the best goalie coaching staff in the league while simultaneously having the worst every other kind of coach.

 

[HanSolo]

Oilers too. Also I hear that Landeskog’s back so the Avs go on my hate list.

f*** Landeskog forever.

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

Well my roller league starts tomorrow. Wish me luck guys. I'm gonna put out my frustration on the rink

 

[GreatBear]

Another sad season is over. But I will be back next year, hoping for something better, even a playoff run (in my dreams particularly if Cronin is back). There is a lot of potential in some of the younger players on the team and they should only get better. We also have enough depth so that Verbeek can keep players in San Diego to learn at the AHL level rather than bringing them up prematurely as we have done over the past several years.

My hope for next season is a whole new fourth line, excluding Washe who I would view as a brand new player if he makes the team, including a center who can win face-offs, and a genuine Dirk approved goon who can also skate and play hockey. I have seen enough of Johnston to approve of sending him to San Diego for the remainder of his contract, and I will be happy never to see Leason, Harkins, and Lundestrom ever in a Ducks uniform again.

I am also going to hope that Will Francis is given at least an AHL contract for the Gulls for next season. I cannot thing of a more inspiring story of a player who keeps going in adverse circumstances.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Also, the individual efforts of some of the kids like Cutter, Mac, and Leo. They made excellent strides in the 2nd half but I feel Cronin still kept them from really breaking out.

Imagine a competent coaching system and PP? Sadly, Cronin will be back, there are not going to fire him because there was improvement to the kids and the standings. Team is still a mess, but if this happens half way through next season, he is as good as gone.

Both Cronin and Verbeek need to be gone if the team is still a mess.

To me, it's been a mess for the past two seasons. Last year, Verbeek was happy with that season because the culture improved despite vast acquisition of talent (Forwards: Killorn and Carlsson; Defensemen: Gudas, Lybushkin, LaCombe, Minty, and Zell, as well as a healthy Vaak) with only one point improvement. I totally disagreed with Verbeek, but too many posters were still in the honeymoon stage.

The only differences between the two seasons are amazing goaltending (a 44.5 GSAx improvement this season) and reduced Penalties (from 330 PK Opp Against and 91 PK goals against to 248 PK Opp Against and 64 PK goals against).

Cronin isn't capable of elevating team play. He's living off of the goalies and individual plays to notch wins or points this season. This becomes even more noticeable when compared to fellow rookie head coach in 2023-24 with Carbery. Look at how Carbery improved the team by 11 points in his rookie season despite not having a good offense and a negative Goal Differential (GD). The Ducks ranked 30th in GF in 2023-24 and the Caps ranked 28th in the same season. Cronin had a positive GD between 2022-23 and 2023-24, Cronin's rookie season, but Cronin only added one extra point. What a letdown when comparing him to Carbery.