Speculation: The search for a new Head Coach - (Ducks to hire Joel Quenneville: Per Dreger)

[Mr Rogers]

People have been saying this for over a week and I don't get why.
If it wasn't for 1 random Boston blogger saying it was a done deal noone would be saying this.

We have confirmation that they have interviewed the 3 best candidates (Q is the best coach not working ATM, Woodcroft is the best coach with NHL experience and not any baggage, Carle is the hot coach not in the NHL) and there were no reports anyone but Q was in connection before that confirmation. For all we know they have interviewed 10 people by now.

Actually i wasn't thinking about that at all when i mentioned that. it's because he's had two interviews and just didn't get the sense that anyone else is that close based on the Lebrun's comments. this is completely a matter of opinion obviously and it's fine if we disagree, it's just my read on it and i think there is a basis for it.

 

[Gliff]

tbf, Q is the only candidate we know to have had a 2nd interview.

This means absolutely nothing. In fact I can make an argument that since we know he got a 2nd interview a week ago and hasn't been hired that he is LESS likely to be the choice. And every day he becomes less likely to be hired.

Noone even heard the name Cronin until he had already had his second interview. I would not only say it is possible, but very likely there are multiple people we have not heard mentioned yet that have had multiple interviews.

 

[McDonald19]

This means absolutely nothing. In fact I can make an argument that since we know he got a 2nd interview a week ago and hasn't been hired that he is LESS likely to be the choice. And every day he becomes less likely to be hired.

Agreed. More names continue to be mentioned, Tocchet now, and it’s been a bit of time since Q got his second interview. We are all just speculating here, but it seems like Q would have been hired by now if he had a great second interview.

 

[Emerald Duck]

PV is just taking his time to see who is available and who is interested in Ducks HC.

Just because PV hasn't hired Q yet doesn't mean he isn't interested. I don't expect that Q's phone is ringing off the hook. There is not any urgency to make a quick decision.

 

[zegrassyknoll]

This means absolutely nothing. In fact I can make an argument that since we know he got a 2nd interview a week ago and hasn't been hired that he is LESS likely to be the choice. And every day he becomes less likely to be hired.

Noone even heard the name Cronin until he had already had his second interview. I would not only say it is possible, but very likely there are multiple people we have not heard mentioned yet that have had multiple interviews.

Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but I agree.

If getting a second interview was the sign that you’re hired, we would have already had the announcement by now.

I think he’s absolutely a serious candidate but not the only one. The fact that we haven’t heard about another candidate having a second round might mean that nobody has been given one, or that Pat is angry about the Q leaks and everyone is scared about leaking anything else lol

 

[Hockey Duckie]

This means absolutely nothing. In fact I can make an argument that since we know he got a 2nd interview a week ago and hasn't been hired that he is LESS likely to be the choice. And every day he becomes less likely to be hired.

Noone even heard the name Cronin until he had already had his second interview. I would not only say it is possible, but very likely there are multiple people we have not heard mentioned yet that have had multiple interviews.

iirc, Cronin was Verbeek's first interview based upon the timeline of articles and tweets. Verbeek still continued his cycle of interviewing other candidates, including Carbery. Verbeek was already sold on Cronin. Carbery got hired before Cronin too.

Similarly, Q is the first interview and his second interview while still in the process of first interviews with other candidates. This process could be part of the PR program of showing Verbeek doing due diligence with a "wide" cast and doing several interviews while everyone barks for a week about Q and then it dies down, which it already has. I am not saying Q will definitely be the HC, but it feels very scripted with how it is playing out to benefit Q being hired.

 

[Kalv]

iirc, Cronin was Verbeek's first interview based upon the timeline of articles and tweets. Verbeek still continued his cycle of interviewing other candidates, including Carbery. Verbeek was already sold on Cronin. Carbery got hired before Cronin too.

Similarly, Q is the first interview and his second interview while still in the process of first interviews with other candidates. This process could be part of the PR program of showing Verbeek doing due diligence with a "wide" cast and doing several interviews while everyone barks for a week about Q and then it dies down, which it already has. I am not saying Q will definitely be the HC, but it feels very scripted with how it is playing out to benefit Q being hired.

Unfortunately, this makes sense

 

[robbieboy3686]

This idea that PV is so smart that he knows who he wants to hire 3 or more years down the road (and is making a commitment to them now) is laughable. The future is the future. When it becomes the present you make decisions based on the facts surrounding you at the time.

So much this +1000

 

[Gliff]

iirc, Cronin was Verbeek's first interview based upon the timeline of articles and tweets. Verbeek still continued his cycle of interviewing other candidates, including Carbery. Verbeek was already sold on Cronin. Carbery got hired before Cronin too.

Similarly, Q is the first interview and his second interview while still in the process of first interviews with other candidates. This process could be part of the PR program of showing Verbeek doing due diligence with a "wide" cast and doing several interviews while everyone barks for a week about Q and then it dies down, which it already has. I am not saying Q will definitely be the HC, but it feels very scripted with how it is playing out to benefit Q being hired.

I would love to see that timeline in articles and tweets. Because I don't remember hearing about Cronin until like the week before he was hired and never saw he was the first person interviewed.

 

[TheDarkWingThatDucks]

So much this +1000

Let me ask you a question, if he hires Q. Do you think his plan for Q is to coach 1 year ? 3 years ? 5+ years ? Or 10 + years ?

If it’s a 3 year plan, which given Q’s age, I would think would be the probable ideal time frame. I would hazard to guess all GM’s would have a rough outline of their next move. Whether that is Carle or McIlvane and whether when the time comes those coaches deserve or our entertained is another story. But thinking ahead with a stopgap coach isn’t a bad thing, and is probably something Verbeek is looking at even if he doesn’t do what he plans today.

If I owned a company and had to fire our sales manager. Then hired a 67 year old one, I would be like him….. rusty is 41 in outside sales, he might be a replacement in 3 years when this guy retires. Or actually our competitor has Jimmy who is 36 in 3 years he might be ready to make the jump. It doesn’t meant one of those 2 becomes the hire, it just means, you have an idea of what you want to do in 3 years.

 

[ohcomeonref]

This means absolutely nothing. In fact I can make an argument that since we know he got a 2nd interview a week ago and hasn't been hired that he is LESS likely to be the choice. And every day he becomes less likely to be hired.

Noone even heard the name Cronin until he had already had his second interview. I would not only say it is possible, but very likely there are multiple people we have not heard mentioned yet that have had multiple interviews.

Ugh, why deal in absolutes? You say it means nothing then spew a bunch of guesses about things.

Edit: if the fact that Verbeek likes Q well enough for a second interview means absolutely nothing, what does all your speculation mean?

 

[ADHB]

Well if you want to look at logically, what's more likely? That Q is the only guy to get a second interview, and we basically interviewed nobody else even once except for like two guys? Or is it more likely that the Q interviews were the only ones that got leaked?

 

[FiveTacos]

Ugh, why deal in absolutes?

He's a Sith!

 

[Gliff]

Ugh, why deal in absolutes? You say it means nothing then spew a bunch of guesses about things.

Edit: if the fact that Verbeek likes Q well enough for a second interview means absolutely nothing, what does all your speculation mean?

"I could make an argument" is a generally accepted term to mean "This is in the realm of possibilities". Definitely not an absolute.

And if you think me saying Q being the only candidate to get a reported second interview means nothing is some profound statement then idk what to say. Unless you truly think the media has a 100% clear picture of the progress on interviewing candidates.

He's a Sith!

*Insert joke about hiring Q and joining the dark side*

 

[KaseMeOutside]

Disregarding the non hockey part...

Q is 66, yes he has 3 cups but the last one was 10 years ago. We see sometimes in sports the game can pass by people who have been out for awhile. Atleast Woodcroft has coached more recently with success and doesn't have the bad PR that will come with Q

 

[robbieboy3686]

Let me ask you a question, if he hires Q. Do you think his plan for Q is to coach 1 year ? 3 years ? 5+ years ? Or 10 + years ?

If it’s a 3 year plan, which given Q’s age, I would think would be the probable ideal time frame. I would hazard to guess all GM’s would have a rough outline of their next move. Whether that is Carle or McIlvane and whether when the time comes those coaches deserve or our entertained is another story. But thinking ahead with a stopgap coach isn’t a bad thing, and is probably something Verbeek is looking at even if he doesn’t do what he plans today.

If I owned a company and had to fire our sales manager. Then hired a 67 year old one, I would be like him….. rusty is 41 in outside sales, he might be a replacement in 3 years when this guy retires. Or actually our competitor has Jimmy who is 36 in 3 years he might be ready to make the jump. It doesn’t meant one of those 2 becomes the hire, it just means, you have an idea of what you want to do in 3 years.

If Q is hired, verbeek would hope q turns our current crop into a dynasty, is probably the hope right?

 

[Kalv]

Still briefly, but looking into all that Q situation I don't feel like he's necessarily a bad person, he might be just clueless/lack of empathy. I do believe he was wining-focused but it sounds like there were about 10 times he could do a turn for the better in this situation but didn't.

Btw this was a year ago. I've yet to watch it.

 

[TheDarkWingThatDucks]

Well if you want to look at logically, what's more likely? That Q is the only guy to get a second interview, and we basically interviewed nobody else even once except for like two guys? Or is it more likely that the Q interviews were the only ones that got leaked?

If we want to speak about the Ducks and logical thinking.

Currently in construction of multi billion dollar OC Vibe project, including a whole new facelift / remodel for the arena. Owners putting a billion of their own money into renovations. A young team, with 7 top 10 picks in the last 7 drafts.

Leo # 2
McT and Sennecke # 3
Cutter # 5 (drysdale #6 trade)
Zegras #9
Minty and ? # 10

A boatload of cap space, enough to sign a major UFA and still sign the core + of your RFA’s.

Drafted late 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rounders of - Dostal (3rd)/ Lacombe (2nd) / Colangelo (2nd) / Moore (3rd) / Zelly (2nd) / Pasta (3rd) / Hinds (3rd) / Gaucher (1st) / Warren (2nd) / Luneau (2nd) / Myaotovic (2nd) / Terrance (2nd) / Clara (2nd) / Pitre (3rd) / Sidorov (3rd) / Solberg (1st) / Pettersson (2nd) / Masse (3rd) / Pro—— (3rd) / Smith (3rd)….. plus and 2nd and two 3rds this draft.

Trades for Helleson / Mysak / Traff / Judd / Nesty / Clang. Plus UDFA signing Washe.

27 of these players are signed for our 50 contracts spots.

Logically speaking, I think the organization would want the man who coached
20 year old Kane and Toews with 25 year old Duncan Keith, 23 year old Andrew Ladd to the western conference finals his first year, and the guy who coached the panthers into the playoffs for the first time in 5 years with 24 year old Barkov and 23 year old Ekblad, and 26 year olds Weegar and Hugh….ba….dough….

Logically the next step in our evolution as a franchise is to go from “culture change” in terms of work ethic on and off the ice, individual and team accountability. To “culture change” to winning playoff hockey.

The hiring of Q would be the next step towards championships, and coincide perfectly with his contract ending / and then hiring the new young hot head coach (Carle) to take over a well oiled machine ready to compete for SC’s with the newly finished OC Vibe and arena facelift.

That is logical from a business and on ice product standpoint.

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

A hard and fast commitment? No, but that's not what I'm saying. I don't think there's a written or even verbal commitment to give McIlvane the NHL job in a certain number of years. But I don't find it at all implausible that a GM would hire a guy like McIlvane and communicate something more vague, like "I see a great coaching mind in you and we'd love for you to be a part of our organization long-term" and then give that guy goals he'd like to see him meet. It's not exactly revolutionary business practice to hire people with potential and then challenge them to reach that potential while also considering their long-term role in the organization, which involves weighing the risk that the employee will leave if they think their path is blocked.

If Verbeek sees potential in McIlvane and sees him progressing toward that place, it makes complete sense to me that he would prefer to hire a coach that fits a shorter timeline. It does not by any stretch mean that he would refuse to hire anyone else if, for example, David Carle interviews very well and seems like a good fit but needs a five-year commitment. Or if, for example, they hire a guy like Woodcroft and in three years Woodcroft is taking the Ducks to conference finals. It's simply one important factor among many.

Quenneville, despite his baggage, fits that timeline just about perfectly. I think Cronin's hire fit in that timeline as well, but it fizzled quicker than Verbeek wanted, and he pulled the plug early. But I don't think Verbeek is beholden to it, just that it's a preference.

I agree, you always try to surround yourself with bright minds who may have a future in your organization. Some stay and move up, others move on and move up. Some end up going nowhere. But people have speculated since Cro was hired that the "real" plan was for for him to be a placeholder for McIlvane down the road. Now there is again speculation that this next hire might just be a placeholder for McIlvane or even Carle down the road.

My point is that you hire the best coach today based on today's needs. Next time you hire a coach you go through the same process of hiring the best candidate based on your needs at that time. It's just plain silly for all the speculation that this is all a short term setup because Pat knows who he will hire multiple years down the road.

At some time in the future, if McIlvane is deemed to be the right guy for the job at that time then by all means hire him. But no decision today is some 4D level chess move that Pat is playing because he's so much smarter than all the other organizations when it comes to hiring future coaches.

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

Still no announcement? Lmaoo that letter to the fans must be a bitch to write

 

[robbieboy3686]

Still no announcement? Lmaoo that letter to the fans must be a bitch to write

Have to say we interviewed any and everyone and Q was the guy that stood alone.

 

[robbieboy3686]

Disregarding the non hockey part...

Q is 66, yes he has 3 cups but the last one was 10 years ago. We see sometimes in sports the game can pass by people who have been out for awhile. Atleast Woodcroft has coached more recently with success and doesn't have the bad PR that will come with Q

I would assume Verbeek has this in mind during the interviews with him, he will get a sense if the game has passed him by or not.

 

[70sSanO]

iirc, Cronin was Verbeek's first interview based upon the timeline of articles and tweets. Verbeek still continued his cycle of interviewing other candidates, including Carbery. Verbeek was already sold on Cronin. Carbery got hired before Cronin too.

The problem with bringing up Carbery, more than once, is Spencer never said he wanted the Ducks but settled for Washington when PV didn’t hire him.

I don’t buy that first time coaches are so desperate to get into the NHL that they will jump at any opportunity. From what I have read he began his coaching career in the Capitols farm system.

It could be we didn’t pass on him, he passed on us.

John

 

[robbieboy3686]

The problem with bringing up Carbery, more than once, is Spencer never said he wanted the Ducks but settled for Washington when PV didn’t hire him.

I don’t buy that first time coaches are so desperate to get into the NHL that they will jump at any opportunity. From what I have read he began his coaching career in the Capitols farm system.

It could be we didn’t pass on him, he passed on us.

John

Could also argue that the capitals GM is really the bigger story than carberry is

 

[Dostwall]

Noone even heard the name Cronin until he had already had his second interview.

I don't remember hearing about Cronin until like the week before he was hired

I remember Friedman mentioning Cronin’s name with the Ducks very shortly after Eakins was fired. He didn’t say they’d interviewed him, but that was the first I heard of him and it was clear he was a legit candidate.