What are the Ducks doing?

Anglesmith

Setting up the play?
Sep 17, 2012
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Every time I watch them, it seems like the offensive play has been completely sucked out of their young talent, and they aren't making up for that defensively at all. Without any obvious downgrades on their roster, they are substantially worse than they were at the start of last year.

Is there some master plan going on where this is just growing pains in trying to change the way they play, has the coach lost the plot, or is the young talent simply overrated? Just about every player on their roster has shown high-level play at some point in their recent career, so I just can't wrap my head around how bad they are as a collective.
 
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Zegs2sendhelp

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Jul 25, 2012
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Every time I watch them, it seems like the offensive play has been completely sucked out of their young talent, and they aren't making up for that defensively at all. Without any obvious downgrades on their roster, they are substantially worse than they were at the start of last year.

Is there some master plan going on where this is just growing pains in trying to change the way they play, has the coach lost the plot, or is the young talent simply overrated? Just about every player on their roster has shown high-level play at some point in their recent career, so I just can't wrap my head around how bad they are as a collective.
Greg Cronin things... basicallly coaching all the offense out of guys like zegras mctavish mintyukov zellweger... hell even carlsson

No structure, players look lost half the time…. It’s a mess… and pv just sitting there watching
 
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biturbo19

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Jul 13, 2010
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I mean, they've got bad coaching. But there's also a big element of that old cliche, "good defence creates offense". And they don't play good defence. If you're constantly chasing down the puck, trying to regain possession...you're not going to generate as much offense. Their defence corps is just not very good, team defence is weak, and the coaching isn't nearly good enough to install systems to help overcome that. So the forwards are always playing backwards and really don't get those great chances to show off their "skill" and play with momentum and "on the attack".
 

Sean Garrity

Quack Quack Quack!
Dec 25, 2007
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I mean, they've got bad coaching. But there's also a big element of that old cliche, "good defence creates offense". And they don't play good defence. If you're constantly chasing down the puck, trying to regain possession...you're not going to generate as much offense. Their defence corps is just not very good, team defence is weak, and the coaching isn't nearly good enough to install systems to help overcome that. So the forwards are always playing backwards and really don't get those great chances to show off their "skill" and play with momentum and "on the attack".

They suck at the man defense, by the time they get the puck they have no energy and everyone is out of position. Their greatest strength should be transition like you stated, but the defensive system doesn’t allow for it to be accomplished. Leads to chipping pucks out, rinse and repeat. Same thing entering the offensive zone, dump it in, no one has speed or can support and the opposition just reloads. The team has enough talented puck carriers to carry the puck in to the zone, but the system doesn’t allow it because of design and then fatigue. Cronin needs to go.
 

Bounces R Way

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Nov 18, 2013
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Should have hired Bob Hartley. Not sure why he's been blackballed in the NHL exactly, probably a bit more to that story I suspect.
His system with the 2014-15 Flames was basically: get caved, block shots, collapse slot > turn it over and bomb a stretch pass > rush chance$ > goals! for both teams

You can be bad sure, but the cardinal sin in pro sports is being bad and boring. There's really no way a team that young should look as slow and lethargic as the Ducks do. I get a lot of first time NHL HCs come in and think they're going to get a bunch of 20 somethings to play the 'right way' so they can build a contending team, but honestly for a team like Anaheim with a bunch of fresh high picks priority #1 should be getting them confident they can score consistently at this level. Do that and then iron out the detail work once you're more on the bubble.
 

hangman005

It's my first day.
Apr 19, 2015
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Iceland II the hotter crappier version.
I imagine this...

QgrDm0.gif
 

forever1922

Registered User
Jul 8, 2022
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Naantali, Finland
Defense has not been an issue at all. I imagine the Ducks give up most chances in the NHL but it's proportionally not that bad, just that they never have the puck.

It's just about not having the puck because the offense is so bad that at best they create a 50-50 dump in. At worst it's a turn over during line change or the occasional mistake leading to odd man rushes. The shot totals are the result of a bad offense that gives the puck up.

There is no offensive system to allow for offense with possession, no speed entering the zone and no retrievals after dump ins. This all means that the offense loses possession far too often.

It is also speculated players are afraid to make mistakes and demanded to put the defense first, which is pretty evident in the play. Offensive players don't thrive therefore. Essentially it all boils down to a waiting game this season regarding coaching changes, but the Ducks players are not worse than last year, but in fact much on the contrary simply judging by the ages. Players between ages 20-25 simply don't regress collectively.
 
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Fatass

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Apr 17, 2017
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Is their rink empty? Must be hard to draw fans with all the losing and no scoring. Not much to cheer for. They’re going to lose, but at least allow the skilled guys to create. A guy like Zegras needs to play east west. Hes getting wrecked trying to be strictly a North south player.
 
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Mulletman

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Feb 23, 2013
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Being able to count on the Ducks losing and letting in a ton of goals have done wonders for my gambling winnings this season, so they better not change anything. Just keep doing what they're doing!
 

ryan callahan

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Jan 25, 2014
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Québec,Canada
Why are people in this thread acting like the Ducks allow alot of goals? If anything they have a good defensive system. Step 1 to having a good team. To me ANA is more advanced than MTL and other rebuilding teams in that aspect. Letting your young guys play run n gun and finish the year -28 breeds bad habits. If you can't produce in a defensive system, maybe you are just not a key NHL player (erm erm Zegras)
 

WhatTheDuck

9 - 20 - 8
May 17, 2007
24,004
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Worst Case, Ontario
I liked the Cronin hire at the time, seemed really well respected and deserving of an opportunity. But at this point I feel like maybe he was just a way better fit as an AC and not cut out for this. The progression just hasn't been there. The team plays with zero speed or very little fire. No creativity or risk, just stagnant poorly executed man to man defense all game.

Edit - I can understand wanting to hold everyone to a certain standard, but at the same time you have to let a kid like Zegras cook. Being completely stifled right now
 
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Bjornar Moxnes

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Oct 16, 2016
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Why are people in this thread acting like the Ducks allow alot of goals? If anything they have a good defensive system. Step 1 to having a good team. To me ANA is more advanced than MTL and other rebuilding teams in that aspect. Letting your young guys play run n gun and finish the year -28 breeds bad habits. If you can't produce in a defensive system, maybe you are just not a key NHL player (erm erm Zegras)
They allow little goals because of Dostal lmao. Their defense system is not good. And Dostals clearly coming back down to earth.
 

stevo61

Registered User
Jul 5, 2011
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Canada
Feels like what Columbus had to endure last year, boring loser hockey. I don't know where the team ultimately finishes the season but it's incredible how different a good coach can have a similar roster playing. Maybe Anaheim gets to experience that soon. The fact these teams are trash so get the opportunity to draft highly skilled players and then do everything in their power to neuter that talent is wild
 
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