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

I also wonder that if Q was the guy all along as were being lead to believe by some (not all), it probably would have been done by now. They could bury the lead of that story within a number of first round games and minimize the landing of the news.
 
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I actually feel it's the opposite. Edmonton is crazy about hockey, they'll show up no matter who's there or how bad they're doing.

I also don't buy that Verbeek would need to clear an interview with the Samuelis, at least not the initial interview. It seems pretty clear at this point that our ownership is very hands off.
For Woodcroft or Carle? No. For a guy that needs a special dispensation from the commissioner to be hired - a guy who will cause a stir if it even leaks that you interviewed him? I don't think Verbeek interviews him without clearing it with Samueli.
There is no way they're not aware of it.
Not only are they aware of it, after Edmonton last year, they knew it would come before they even scheduled the first interview. They're not dumb. They knew there would be backlash.
 
I actually feel it's the opposite. Edmonton is crazy about hockey, they'll show up no matter who's there or how bad they're doing.

I also don't buy that Verbeek would need to clear an interview with the Samuelis, at least not the initial interview. It seems pretty clear at this point that our ownership is very hands off.
There’s significantly more attention, from both the public and media, in Edmonton. Realistically, this just isn’t going to cause nearly the same wave. People moved on quickly from Bowman and I’d be shocked if they didn’t move on significantly quicker from Q.

It also isn’t about the Samueli’s being hands on or not, it’s about the logistics of it all. On one hand, you’re probably not going to do something that could reflect poorly on your bosses without their knowledge and interviewing Q is just that. As a GM you probably don’t want the Samueli’s to find out about this sort of thing from anyone but yourself. And even if you think Verbeek would be careless like that, he’s probably not going to waste everyone’s time and Henry Samueli’s money interviewing someone this deeply without knowing whether he’s allowed to offer them a job or not, I’m more inclined to think he wouldn’t even conduct a preliminary interview without knowing that.
 
I dont buy or get that anything is a done deal. I think the reason there is so much noise is because of who is involved. We are likely going to be doing 2nd interviews with a few different people, but because Q is involved we are being told "2nd interviews with Q... and others".

To me, doesnt mean he is or isnt a favorite, just that there is juice behind Q due to his past, so thats the storyline. Just sounds like they are in the process of interviewing. Gauging interest, eliminating weaker candidates, following up with interviews for the top candidates.

And when you even mention a guy like Q, yes, the ownership is 100% involved and in the loop. There is no way Beeker didnt run it by them first. The PR ramifications are too much to not say anything. The Samuelis are mostly hands-off but dont be fooled into thinking they just let the GM do whatever they want. In the past they have put "check with us first" tags on a few guys they liked and didnt want to trade. Something like hiring a guy who was banned from the league is something that is more than just a hockey a decision, its a reputational/PR decision as well.

Fans feedback wont be ignored, but it also wont dictate their decisions. The team absolutely knows about the fans feelings on Q. It could tip the scales one way or the other if its between 2 candidates, or it could help to put framework around how they make their announcement of Q should he be the guy. Ultimately, it will come down to if they think they can control the narrative or not.
 
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So unless Verbeek has other candidates in the mystery box, the only other public name that has interviewed with the Ducks not named Quenneville is Jay Woodcroft (they "made contact" with Sullivan but he took the Rangers job about 24 hours later).
 
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With both Sullivan and now Carle out, it depends how Verbeek feels about Woodcroft. Tocchet is probably heading east. There aren't a ton of great options at this point. Maybe someone from the first round playoff eliminations gets fired, but is there anyone there Verbeek is likely to hold out for? Cooper isn't available as far as I know, so who else is there? I think we need to deal with the very likely possibility at this point that Q is likely the next coach of the Ducks.
 

Honestly, good for him.

I have 2 young kids and if I were in his position I would be staying in college. More job security, less media scrutiny, less travel, you're THE guy.

He has 9 years to make the jump to the NHL and still be the youngest coach in the league.

So realistically, probably, we’re down to

Woodcroft
Quenneville
Maybe an assistant for a team
Probably, and honestly those are probably the 2 best guys available with NHL experience in the world currently (just coaching ability, not them as a person).

It could be a lot worse.

I still hope they go with Woodcroft. No baggage, 10 years of NHL assistant, 4 years as AHL HC, 2 years as NHL HC. He has made it to the playoffs every single year as a head coach.
 
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You can't force someone to do whatever you want.
Playing devil’s advocate, no, but you CAN offer more money, and CAN offer more control, and CAN not have to micromanage everything.

This could easily just be the NHL teams GM’s egos were playing hardball, and he had what he considered better options
 
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Playing devil’s advocate, no, but you CAN offer more money, and CAN offer more control, and CAN not have to micromanage everything.

This could easily just be the NHL teams GM’s egos were playing hardball, and he had what he considered better options
PV could have played hardball knowing Carle would say no. This way PV can say, "There was no one else so we had to hire Q."

PV is an evil genius!!!! Or I just made this scenario up in my head.
 

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