My problem with CTP is there overall dislike of Verbeek. On that pod they ranked Verbeek as a GM.
Talent Eval - which is NHL roster moves. Jake C/C+ / Felix B- (included drafting then didn’t change when drafting was removed).
My biased take as someone who likes the job Verbeek is doing is, these grades are fine, he’s brought in older vets (all with Stanley cups or ECF experience) on overpays to help build a “winning” culture in the locker room and help the young players develop. When trouba and gudas contracts are up, one of them have to be gone.
Coaching hires - both gave him an F. Cronin I get, although I’ll still defend he was hired to do a job, and I think he succeeded in what he was needed for, even if not a good NHL coach. Hiring the second winningest coach in NHL history from a hockey aspect alone is a great hire. I understand the other reasons they don’t agree or like it, but if we win and become a perennial playoff team with Q, he will have again hired a coach to do a job, and succeeded.
Trades - Felix gave C / C+, Jake didn’t say anything except he agreed.
My take, he traded upcoming UFA’s when he came in, which was the right move at the time to embrace the rebuild right in time for Bedard / Leo / Adamo. Cutter looking real good, Trouba was to flip Fowler (which both sides wanted), other than that, no real hockey trades, just trading upcoming UFA’s for draft picks and prospects. Can’t really judge trades until / if one of the Z’s is traded, or trade deadline acquisitions, because everything he’s been doing is just what a rebuilding GM should do.
Contract Mgmt - Jake C- / Felix C+.
I think he’s done a solid job not ruining future cap space for our young players (although after this offseason we shall see if that continues), and yes he overpaid aging vets, but you have to do that to get players to come to a bottom 3 roster. The most important thing is the future and that isn’t in trouble at the moment.
Drafting - Jake A / A- / Felix B+ / B, they mentioned something about top 3 picks not counting because you should draft good players there, although I’d argue Leo over Adamo was a risk / Sennecke is also a risk. Gaucher I think will be a solid NHL depth pc, Sidorov has a chance to hit, Stian looks good, Myatovic everyone here hates, but I like and hope he develops, Tristian looks like he could be a solid NHL regular. This is the most important aspect of Verbeek’s tenure to this stage of the rebuild, it will rapidly change soon…. Hopefully.
Player Dev - Felix C-/ D+ … Jake didn’t say anything. I just don’t see how they can think these players are developing poorly. With the worst offensive team in the league for 2 straight years, Leo / McT / Lacombe / Cutter / Colangelo / Helleson all took steps each available year in stats and just overall play. Z has been injured both years, but looks like a more complete player. Zelly and minty both turned 21 this year, so still time for them to take the steps we think they can. Tristian played amazing in the AHL (offensively), Nesty improving, need Gaucher and Myatovic to take steps. pasta and Sidorov solid improvement. Judd is looking promising for his role. Let’s not forget Dostal! Seems pretty low to me on the grades.
Overall - Felix C- / D+ … Jake C after firing Cronin, D after hiring Q. I agree this would be his grade if the goal was to field a Stanley cup caliber team during this part of his tenure. But the point is we are finishing the tear down rebuild, and now is the time to start being a team whose true goal is the playoffs. We hired a multi Stanley cup winning coach, 2nd most in the history of the NHL, coached JT, Kane, Hossa, Keith, Ekblad, Barkov, Reinhart, etc. we can dislike the hire, but in terms of the on ice product, seems like a slam dunk.
Basically they think Verbeek is doing an awful job D+ and a D….and i wholeheartedly disagree with their opinion, and that rubs me the wrong way. When we take that step, and improve they will forget they couldn’t see the forest for the trees and profit off of the good job Verbeek did, even when they couldn’t see it. Or I’m wrong and the Ducks are going to have to blow it all up and rebuild again.