Apr 13, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks players acknowledge the fans after a game against the Colorado Avalanche at the Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/c1e8273f-d9ba-43c5-99a0-46fed263e8ae.jpeg] Apr 13, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks players acknowledge the fans after a game against the Colorado Avalanche at the Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The Anaheim Ducks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks] parted ways with head coach Greg Cronin on April 19, following his second season behind the Ducks’ bench. “It’s much like the way I took the approach last time,” Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said when asked about the upcoming hiring process during his media availability following Cronin’s firing. “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.” Eight teams are in need of a new head coach behind their respective benches heading into the 2025-26 season, and a laundry list of available candidates with a wide range of experience are on the market. “Am I looking for some sort of specific coach? No,” Verbeek said. “I’m going to go through the interview process and I will probe and poke and ask questions (about) 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 anything down. Now, timeline. We’re going to start the search and start to make a list immediately. I really don’t have a timeline on it. I’m going to look to hire the best candidate for this team and what it needs moving forward.” Ducks Move On From Greg Cronin [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/ducks-move-on-from-greg-cronin] Speculation: When to Expect an Anaheim Ducks Coaching Hire [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/speculation-when-to-expect-an-anaheim-ducks-coaching-hire] How the Ducks Head Coaching Job Compares to Other Vacancies around the NHL [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/how-the-ducks-job-compares-to-other-vacancies-around-the-nhl] 4-26-25 Just one week later, on April 26, the first sizable news around general manager Pat Verbeek’s coaching search surfaced. ESPN’s John Buccigross sent a cryptic post [https://x.com/Buccigross/status/1916163565985173542] on social media of side-by-side images of controversial (to say the least) three-time Stanley Cup-winning head coach Joel Quenneville and a family of Ducks. Nearly four hours after Buccigross’ post, James Murphy of RG Media reported [https://rg.org/news/hockey/anaheim-ducks-head-coaching-job-joel-quenneville-if-he-wants] that a “well-connected NHL source” told him the Ducks offered Quenneville their open head coaching job, a very surprising potential development considering Verbeek’s statements alluding to casting a wide net and being open to any coach. “The job is his if he wants it, and I’d be stunned if he doesn’t take it,” Murphy’s source relayed to him. “I’d say it’s 99.999999 percent he becomes the next head coach in Anaheim.” Oct 27, 2021; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville watches from behind the bench during the first period between the Florida Panthers and the Boston Bruins at FLA Live Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/46eb0d75-2182-426e-a02f-a71affa320eb.jpeg] Oct 27, 2021; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville watches from behind the bench during the first period between the Florida Panthers and the Boston Bruins at FLA Live Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images The Ducks later confirmed that Murphy’s report was false and that interviews will continue. Roughly an hour and a half later, PHWA President Frank Seravalli from DailyFaceoff.com slightly contradicted Murphy’s report [https://x.com/frank_seravalli/status/1916239286585721165], confirming the Ducks interviewed Quenneville, but stated the team is early in their process. “Joel Quenneville recently interviewed for the (Ducks) head coaching vacancy,” Seravalli reported on social media. “He is a strong candidate but it’s still early in the process, multiple interviews to come in Anaheim.” 4-27-25 The IIHF U18 World Championship is underway in Frisco, Texas, the final big on-ice draft event of the season. Making up most of the attendance numbers are NHL coaches, scouts, media, and family members of players. Sean Shapiro of DLLS Sports and Elite Prospects offered an update [https://x.com/seanshapiro/status/1916547485859795182] on the Anaheim coaching search via social media. “Chatter at U18s from some in the NHL coaching circles is that Anaheim has interviewed, but not offered the job to anyone,” Shapiro said. Elliotte Friedman from SportsNet is one of the NHL's premier insiders. He gave his thoughts on Monday’s rendition of his “32 Thoughts” [https://www.sportsnet.ca/podcasts/32-thoughts/] podcast. “The way I understand it, he’s definitely a serious candidate there, and we’ll see if he ends up being the guy. But he’s definitely a serious candidate. I don’t think that’s the only team that’s interested in him. “I think the Ducks are very serious about it from a hockey perspective. You’ve heard Pat Verbeek say that they want to make the playoffs next year, and that’s why I think he’s looking at Quenneville, and Quenneville is a possibility. And I think the two of them met face-to-face last week. “The bottom line is the Ducks are considering him, and he is a very serious contender for their job.” 4-30-25 TSN’s Darren Dreger reported on the latest installment of “The Ray & Dregs Hockey Podcast” [https://www.rayanddregs.com/] that the Ducks are expected to interview Quenneville a second time. “Some wanted to connect Joel Quenneville to (Rangers GM Chris) Drury because of their Colorado days,” Dreger said. “I know that Q is—he’s expected to get a second interview with the Anaheim Ducks, so we’ll see how things play out there.” 5-1-25 Pierre LeBrun from TSN, one of the NHL’s premier insiders, reported on social media [https://x.com/PierreVLeBrun/status/1917997987814597018] that the Ducks have contacted several coaches in regards to filling their head coaching vacancy while confirming they intend to interview Quenneville a second time. Apr 29, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft speaks with media following game six of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/60821572-e6b1-4e23-9c36-027212325470.jpeg] Apr 29, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft speaks with media following game six of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images “Hearing Ducks have interviewed Jay Woodcroft,” LeBrun said. “Also hear Ducks GM Pat Verbeek recently met with David Carle. Believe Anaheim has also made contact with Mike Sullivan. As reported by others, Joel Quenneville will soon get a second interview. Other names in mix. Wide search by Ducks.” Less than one hour later, Vince Mercogliano, who covers the New York Rangers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers] for USA Today, reported on social media [https://x.com/vzmercogliano/status/1918012465264144669] the Rangers were heading toward hiring Sullivan as their next head coach. "The (Rangers) haven't confirmed or announced anything officially yet, but it sounds like things are getting close and very much trending toward Mike Sullivan becoming the 38th head coach in franchise history." 5-2-25 To make it official, early on May 2, the Rangers announced they hired Sullivan [https://x.com/NYRangers/status/1918289498930131352] as their head coach, making him the first coaching hire of the 2025 offseason and eliminating him from contention for the Ducks' job. Feb 23, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan address the media after the game against the New York Rangers at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/97a64d9f-d1f7-44cd-b6e6-93a3d81c7291.jpeg] Feb 23, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan address the media after the game against the New York Rangers at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Following the Rangers’ announcement of Sullivan’s swift hiring, Frank Seravalli offered his thoughts on whether another team was on the search, hoping to resolve their coaching situation sooner rather than later. “I think that’s the Anaheim Ducks,” Seravalli said on his “Daily Faceoff Live [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_fc4JZxhd8]” show. “I think they’ve completed a handful of interviews, maybe more. They’re moving on to round two.” 5-5-25 Elliotte Friedman indicated [https://www.sportsnet.ca/podcasts/32-thoughts/] on Monday that he feels finality is coming at some point this week in regards to Quenneville and the Ducks. “I think we’re going to know this week if that’s serious,” Friedman responded when asked for his opinion on the situation. “I think we’ll have a good idea this week if Quenneville and the Ducks are at all going to be a match, if that’s real, or he and they may end up looking somewhere else.” Monday afternoon, Denver University announced [https://denverpioneers.com/news/2025/5/5/denver-pioneers-hockey-head-coach-david-carle-signs-multi-year-contract-extension.aspx] that head coach David Carle signed a multi-year contract extension with the program, effectively eliminating himself from contention with Anaheim and any other NHL team this season. I'm looking forward to continuing to work with our student-athletes, coaches, administration, alumni, supporters, and fans over the coming seasons,” Carle said in the team’s press release. “Denver is home for me and my family." 5-7-25 Wednesday morning, Pierre LeBrun reported via his “NHL Rumblings” [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6338637/2025/05/07/nhl-rumblings-islanders-flyers-ducks-kings/] column in The Athletic that the Ducks did conduct a second interview with Joel Quenneville, their interview with David Carle went well, and they have had communication with a new potential suitor: Rick Tocchet. “Joel Quenneville has had his second interview with the Anaheim Ducks,” LeBrun reported. “The team has also interviewed the likes of Jay Woodcroft and David Carle. “My impression is that the interview between Carle and the Ducks went rather well, so perhaps something to file away for a rainy day down the road. My understanding is the Ducks have also had some communication with Rick Tocchet, so we’ll see whether that leads to an interview.” 5-8-25 Darren Dreger reported via social media Thursday morning that the Ducks are expected to announce Joel Quenneville as the 12th head coach in franchise history. “See how the day unfolds, but indications are Joel Quenneville is going to be the next head coach in Anaheim. Suggestion of an announcement today,” Dreger said. “Announcement coming shortly. Sources say the Ducks did an extensive background check specific to the Kyle Beach case, including the work Quenneville has done to reform from mistakes made during that time. He was the first candidate Anaheim spoke with after firing Cronin.” LINKED NAMES Joel Quenneville: Quenneville (66) sits second on the NHL’s all-time wins list for head coaches with 969. He hasn’t coached a game since Oct. 28, 2021. He resigned from his position as head coach of the Florida Panthers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers] following the results of Jenner & Block’s investigation [https://www.jenner.com/a/web/8kmbgFUEYWcNnvzFTa5h8H/report-to-the-chicago-blackhawks-hockey-team-october-2021.pdf] into the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks]. David Carle (Extended-Denver University): Carle (35) recently withdrew himself from the running for head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks. He is possibly the most clamored-for coach on the market. Carle has coached the University of Denver to two NCAA championships and Team USA to back-to-back World Junior Championship gold medals. Jay Woodcroft: Woodcroft (48) was relieved of his position as head coach of the Edmonton Oilers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers] just 13 games into 2023-24 and after assuming the position in the middle of 2021-22. He has a 79-41-13 record in 133 games behind an NHL bench, and the Oilers, months after parting ways, made it to game seven of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. Mike Sullivan (Hired-New York Rangers): The Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins] let Sullivan (57) go on April 28. He won two Stanley Cups with the Pens in 2016 and 2017 as their head coach, and his appearance on the market immediately made him one of the most desirable targets for one of the eight franchises in need. Rick Tocchet: It was announced on April 29 that Tocchet (61) would not return to head coach the Vancouver Canucks despite the team’s desire to re-sign him after two and half seasons. Tocchet has eight-plus seasons in the NHL as a head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Arizona Coyotes, and Canucks. He won two Stanley Cups as the assistant coach of the 2016 and 2017 Pittsburgh Penguins. This piece will see continued updates as new information surfaces THN Anaheim Ducks Show (05-01-25) [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/thn-anaheim-ducks-show-05-01-25] 2025 Anaheim Ducks Draft Lottery Preview [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/2025-anaheim-ducks-draft-lottery-preview]
