Apr 9, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks left wing Cutter Gauthier (61) is congratulated by center Leo Carlsson (91) after a goal during the third period against the Calgary Flames as Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/8a3b73ab-2b39-4d15-9882-f366752e5d2b.jpeg] Apr 9, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks left wing Cutter Gauthier (61) is congratulated by center Leo Carlsson (91) after a goal during the third period against the Calgary Flames as Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images The Anaheim Ducks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks] were the first NHL team to part with their head coach following the 2024-25 season. Greg Cronin was let go just two years after he accepted the job behind the bench of the Ducks and finished with a 62-87-15 record. Ducks Move On From Greg Cronin [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/ducks-move-on-from-greg-cronin] Why Now was the Right Time for the Ducks to Part with Cronin [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/why-now-was-the-right-time-for-the-ducks-to-part-with-cronin] Though the team seemed to have significantly improved in year two under Cronin (21 points in the standings, to be exact), Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek still decided to go in a different direction and eat the last year of Cronin’s three-year contract. Verbeek met with the media via Zoom on Saturday after the news was released and didn’t give much of a reason for what ultimately led to him pulling the plug on Cronin’s time in Anaheim. “I can’t. Those are private conversations that I had with the coach, and I'd like them to remain private and confidential in my discussions with the coach,” Verbeek said. “I can't elaborate. Those are private conversations, and I want them to remain there.” So, whether it was on-ice aspects of Cronin’s coaching, such as lineup deployment and systems, off-ice treatment of players, something else entirely, or a combination of some or all of those facets, the full truth will likely not be revealed in the present or near future. All attention now turns to who Verbeek hires as the second coach in his tenure as the Anaheim Ducks general manager. “It’s much like the way I took the approach last time,” Verbeek said. “The net's going to be cast wide. I'm not going to really eliminate any options, as far as my approach to the next coach.” “Am I looking for some sort of specific coach? No,” Verbeek continued. “I think that I'm going to go through the interview process, and I will probe and poke and ask questions to where certain things that I think our group needs, and see how it all shakes down. I'm open to any type of coach at this point. I’m not shutting down anything.” There are several quality candidates on the coaching market this offseason, and several approaches Verbeek can take with his search and interview process from a stylistic perspective. The biggest questions he will have to answer are, “What type of coach will be most conducive to the roster he will construct, and how will that coach elevate them to the level needed to achieve the goals set forth?” Cronin was a throwback motivator who prioritized culture off the ice and defensive standards and fundamentals on the ice. The team’s overall work ethic was much improved during his tenure, and their defensive commitment was greatly elevated from recent years, but his approach to younger players may have been outdated, and his offensive principles were rudimentary. As their roster stands, the Ducks have a unique blend of veterans who have seen varying degrees of success in their extended NHL careers and remarkably talented U25 players who haven’t begun to scratch the surface of their ultimate potential. Whoever Verbeek ultimately lands on to coach his team will have to manage an array of personalities within the locker room. Perhaps more importantly, however, they’ll have to place the youngest, most skilled players in a position to succeed both within the structure of the depth chart and when implementing a system to amplify their skillsets and maximize their seemingly limitless potential. Apr 3, 2025; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Olen Zellweger (51) celebrates his goal against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/63f6fe9b-8038-4e35-9d95-450916aedc8e.jpeg] Apr 3, 2025; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Olen Zellweger (51) celebrates his goal against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images DEPLOYMENT When deploying the roster, Cronin was rigid in his belief in traditional line roles. He would try constructing two scoring forward lines, a shutdown line that could occasionally contribute offensively, and an energy fourth line whose job was to play physical, low-event hockey. Defensively, he relied on a shutdown pair to match against opposing top pairs and would roll the remaining two pairs. These are proven principles that have led numerous teams to numerous Stanley Cup victories. With the Ducks, the issue lay in the personnel placed in those roles, and that the roster wasn’t built for that kind of deployment. The Ducks have too much offensive talent to resort to an entire “checking” line to shut down opposing top lines. Next season, with proper construction, the Ducks would have the ability to roll three potent scoring lines while receiving production from their fourth line. Instead of matching up with their opponent, they could force opponents into tough decisions on who to match up against them. Weaponizing their roster depth could unlock true, sustainable offensive success. Apr 7, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish (23) celebrates his goal scored against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/36f37f49-a8fb-4a7b-a338-dc2388767832.jpeg] Apr 7, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish (23) celebrates his goal scored against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images SYSTEM Cronin had the Ducks running a man-to-man defensive zone coverage scheme. In transition, they prioritized north/south puck movement to get pucks deep into the offensive zone with stretch passes before establishing a high-pressure forecheck. In the offensive zone, the mandate was volume shots funneled to the net front crowded with heavy traffic. Again, this was non-conducive to the Ducks roster and especially so with the youngest, most talented players who will eventually make up one of the most potent cores in the NHL should their potential be fully realized. Players like Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Mason McTavish, Trevor Zegras, Jackson LaCombe, Olen Zellweger, Pavel Mintyukov, and eventually Beckett Sennecke (and possibly more within the pipeline) are all at their best when moving with the puck on their stick, utilizing time and space afforded to create myriads of dangerous opportunities. This young core is among the most talented and creative in the NHL, yet they were asked to dim their skillsets, ultimately capping their impact and dulling the aspects of their games that make them special. Whoever is hired by Verbeek will have a nucleus oozing tremendous potential to build a system around. Defensively, it might be beneficial to deploy a box-plus-one or hybrid scheme to keep opponents on the perimeter, rely on players’ instincts to dictate disruption, and reserve energy for counterattacks, jumping up ice to outnumber opponents on the rush, where the roster is at its most lethal. Offensively, rather than volume, quality might be prioritized. To achieve that, player movement as a five-man unit in the offensive zone would be the focus, drawing defenders out of position and capitalizing on defensive lapses manufactured from unmatched pure talent. The Ducks’ eventual hire will have one of the more exciting challenges ahead of them in the entire NHL. Unearthing a candidate with a vision conducive to the roster Verbeek constructs will be most paramount. Rumor: Ducks Prospect Lucas Pettersson to Join Silfverberg's SHL Team Next Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/rumor-ducks-prospect-lucas-pettersson-to-join-silfverbergs-shl-team-next-season] Troy Terry Among NHL Top Players in Disheartening Category [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/players/troy-terry-among-nhl-top-players-in-disheartening-category]
