Speculation: The search for a new Head Coach - Rumors and Speculation

[WhatTheDuck]

I figured the our search for a new HC could be its own separate discussion from the news of Cronin's departure.

David Carle was obviously going to be one of the first names mentioned. I don't doubt he's a great coach, but my gut tells me we should go with someone proven at the NHL level.

That said, I don't want to see us end up with one of the old guard either. No thanks to Torts, Quenneville, Babcock etc - we need a more modern approach.

Jay Woodcroft seems like perhaps a happy median. It seems like he had the respect of their star players even after his departure. Oilers' McDavid on Woodcroft: 'He never lost the room'


Thoughts?

 

[Arthuros]

Another name to add to the no thanks pile...Laviolette got the boot.

 

[JAHV]

Laviolette is available, but he might have lost his fastball at this point.

Carle is interesting. Woodcroft is interesting. Both are a bit mysterious (Carle obviously more so). How will Woodcroft coach without the two best players in the world on his roster?

 

[Gliff]

Woodcroft is a no brainer.

They can’t bring in another rookie head coach.

 

[70sSanO]

Right or wrong, I’m thinking Verbeek is going to bring in Quenneville.

Pat has had all the opportunity to talk with him since he has no contract with any other team.

Regardless, the hiring will come pretty quickly this time.

John

 

[la patineuse]

The Ducks last two head coach hires really set the franchise back. This is going to obviously be one of the most important hires this team has had.

 

[Big Fat Rebound]

Carle’s got the pedigree but I don’t think Verbeek is going with another first time coach.

IMO, Mike Sullivan is the odds-on favorite if he gets axed from Pittsburgh

 

[Mr Rogers]

Carle’s got the pedigree but I don’t think Verbeek is going with another first time coach.

IMO, Mike Sullivan is the odds-on favorite if he gets axed from Pittsburgh

Sullivan would be so good

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Laviolette is available, but he might have lost his fastball at this point.

Carle is interesting. Woodcroft is interesting. Both are a bit mysterious (Carle obviously more so). How will Woodcroft coach without the two best players in the world on his roster?

He had those best two players but then his GM also went out and got him Jack Campbell as a starting goalie and paid Nurse 9M to be their #1 Dman. It would be a different balance here for sure

 

[HanSolo]

Yeah I'd be down for Sullivan or Woodcroft if we don't take the chance on Carle.

No thank you to

Rapecoverupman
Gallant
Torts
Laviolette
Boudreau
Carlyle
McIlvane

 

[70sSanO]

Carle’s got the pedigree but I don’t think Verbeek is going with another first time coach.

IMO, Mike Sullivan is the odds-on favorite if he gets axed from Pittsburgh

I doubt Sullivan gets fired. If he does, it would be a great choice.

Henry will need to really open the checkbook to make it happen.

John

 

[AngelDuck]

Sullivan or Woodcroft seem like no-brainers.

Not sure any other name even makes sense at this point from what I’ve seen

 

[AngelDuck]

The big issue is that the Rangers will also be looking for a coach now and they’re going to be able to get whoever they want. I could see Sullivan going there if he gets fired

So we’re going to need a Plan B

 

[MMC]

I'll do it plus I'm already on the payroll

 

[TheStuntman]

Yeah I'd be down for Sullivan or Woodcroft if we don't take the chance on Carle.

No thank you to

Rapecoverupman
Gallant
Torts
Laviolette
Boudreau
Carlyle
McIlvane

If Torts or Carlyle gets hired, I will simply laugh and nope out.

 

[JAHV]

He had those best two players but then his GM also went out and got him Jack Campbell as a starting goalie and paid Nurse 9M to be their #1 Dman. It would be a different balance here for sure

I'm not against Woodcroft by any stretch, but I'm also not completely sold on his pedigree. McDavid and Draisaitl cure a lot of ills, both roster construction and coaching. He might be excellent or he might be something less.

Sullivan would be my #1 choice if he shakes loose. I have zero desire for Quenneville.

 

[Leonardo87]

Really want someone with experience. Enough of these inexperienced new to the NHL projects.

 

[TheDarkWingThatDucks]

Yeah I'd be down for Sullivan or Woodcroft if we don't take the chance on Carle.

No thank you to

Rapecoverupman
Gallant
Torts
Laviolette
Boudreau
Carlyle
McIlvane

What about head coach Clune ? Please don’t kill me

 

[hockey webcomics]

Babcock?

 

[NWWisconsinDuck]

Woodcroft is a hell of a coach. Would take him in a nanosecond

 

[HanSolo]

What about head coach Clune ? Please don’t kill me

I'd probably kill Verbeek. Not you.

 

[HanSolo]

Babcock?

No

 

[KelVarnsen]

Wonder if PV will only hire a guy who deploys a Man on Man defensive scheme?

 

[hockey webcomics]

No

keep ur cell phone safe

 

[cheesymc]

For available experienced coaching leadership:

Quenneville - Probably overrated and had a handful of stars in their primes, but did win Cups. Hasn’t coached for 3 seasons plus is fairly old for the rigors, and he would be really expensive. Not likely our target and probably not a good long term fit for us.

Tortorella - Hell no. He can probably get short term results but he’s just abrasive and ruins young confidence. He would clash big time with Verbeek.

Woodcroft - No thanks to another Oiler failure.

Laviolette - He’s a good coach and I think he can make a good impact. But he might have lost his mojo. He won a cup so he brings credibility but that team was stacked with veterans, plus the teams that he’s coached were never as young as ours… he’s coached teams with bonafide stars and on the cusp teams.

Gallant - Never won a cup but he’s like a younger Boudreau and seems to do well getting teams efficient and competitive. He built the foundation for two of his teams to win the cup, so he might be a good proven choice for the next step.

Sullivan - Won cups but also had hall of fame players and superstars… not sure what he can do with unproven young players, but I think he would definitely be respected by the players.

Other names:
Sacco - former duck, but hasn’t shown much
Brunnette - no thanks after watching his drunken arrest
Ruff - past his prime

For up and coming coaches:

Carle - Probably my favorite option, but risky one as some college coaches don’t find the success in the NHL. But I think he could connect and develop our younger players. I’m don’t think Verbeek will take on the unknown risk.

Other Names:
Warsofsky, Leach, Pandalfo, Ferschweiler, etc.


My ideal situation is having an allstar cast of coaching. College coaches won’t leave for an assistant coaching job. I would like to have a Gallant or Carle at the helm, some great AHL assistant coaches + advising/specialty coaches to support.