Player Discussion Leo Carlsson

[Deuce22]

In a way, it's similar to Mac. Mac's got soft, quick hands and a booming shot. He's one of the few that can pot severe angle shots on the PP, but PP coach Clune loves putting Mac in front of the net. We've seen recently that Mac can snipe on break aways, but also when crashing the net, he has quick processing with his soft hands to maneuver around a goalie to pot goals.

We're pigeon-holing our offensive players to play only one way instead of having a variety of ways to score. Mac helped Vatrano and Strome score a lot of goals in transition than dump & chance. Why Cronin moved Mac away from Vatrano and Strome to make Strome a center feels derelict to the youth growth of playing center, either for Mac or Zegras or both!

This kind of decision making is consistent with Cronin, though. He stocks the PK with exclusively veterans, even though it isn't good. The PP that gets the most time is the one with Stome, Vatrano, and Killorn. The D rotation only scratches our young D, never the vets. He benches Zellweger, Mintyuov, and Helleson at the end of periods or at the end of games when Ducks have the lead. When Verbeek decides that the young players need to take on more responsibility, Cronin can't be the coach.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

This kind of decision making is consistent with Cronin, though. He stocks the PK with exclusively veterans, even though it isn't good. The PP that gets the most time is the one with Stome, Vatrano, and Killorn. The D rotation only scratches our young D, never the vets. He benches Zellweger, Mintyuov, and Helleson at the end of periods or at the end of games when Ducks have the lead. When Verbeek decides that the young players need to take on more responsibility, Cronin can't be the coach.

I actually don't mind shortening the bench at the end of games with our youths. We see that LaCombe has earned the trust to close out games and that's how it should be. Plus, it's difficult to argue against going 21-0-2 when trying to secure a lead.

Z and Drysdale were held out at the end of close games under Eakins in 2021-22 season because they kept screwing up at the end of games that lead to blowing a lead or a loss. The moment Eakins decided to shorten the bench, Anaheim went on an eight-game winning streak. That was a practical example to Z and Drysdale of the level of play needed to pull out wins or losing. If the youths want to close out games, then they need to raise their game play even higher throughout the whole game.

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As for special teams, that isn't Cronin's responsibility. Those are Clune's (PP coach) and Thompson's (PK coach) responsibilities.

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

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As for special teams, that isn't Cronin's responsibility. Those are Clune's (PP coach) and Thompson's (PK coach) responsibilities.

I'm going to disagree. Cronin is as responsible for his underlings as Verbeek is for Cronin. If the results aren't being achieved it's his job to step in and influence how the special teams are being run. "Not my job" isn't an acceptable answer any more than Verbeek can say that about Cronin's results.

 

[Deuce22]

I actually don't mind shortening the bench at the end of games with our youths. We see that LaCombe has earned the trust to close out games and that's how it should be. Plus, it's difficult to argue against going 21-0-2 when trying to secure a lead.

Z and Drysdale were held out at the end of close games under Eakins in 2021-22 season because they kept screwing up at the end of games that lead to blowing a lead or a loss. The moment Eakins decided to shorten the bench, Anaheim went on an eight-game winning streak. That was a practical example to Z and Drysdale of the level of play needed to pull out wins or losing. If the youths want to close out games, then they need to raise their game play even higher throughout the whole game.

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As for special teams, that isn't Cronin's responsibility. Those are Clune's (PP coach) and Thompson's (PK coach) responsibilities.

If winning games (by trusting vets in key situations) is the priority, I would ask why? Ducks aren’t making the playoffs and are in a rebuilding year. LaCombe was given the chance to earn trust and took advantage. Others won’t get to that point until they are allowed to play in those situations.