Ben Shelley: Are the Ducks making progress this season?

I want to say yes… but I hate Cronin so much I really can’t say…

We’ve had enough spurts like this last one where we play pretty decent. My hopes get up… but then Cronin keeps scratching baby Z and I remember why I can’t stand him.

Having Z back is a giant plus as he’s our most gifted offensive player -

D wise we need to trade Dummo and Gudas and just roll the kids, With Tuouba -

51 & 65
2 & 43
34 & 67

I think regardless of what happens over the last 30+ games, this season has been a disappointment. With the exception of LaCombe who started rough but has been good the last 20 games or so, and Z who has looked dangerous since coming back from IR, the young core players are underperforming. Player development usually isn't linear, but this season has looked like a step backwards for some core pieces.

We've had a nice 3-game run recently against 3 struggling teams (all with lower point per game averages), but going 2-7-1 against stronger competition in the 10 games before this run is probably a better indication of where this team is right now.

Given some of the recent comments by departed veterans and the lack of development of young players, I have a hard time seeing Greg Cronin as the guy to get this group to the next level.

I think regardless of what happens over the last 30+ games, this season has been a disappointment. With the exception of LaCombe who started rough but has been good the last 20 games or so, and Z who has looked dangerous since coming back from IR, the young core players are underperforming. Player development usually isn't linear, but this season has looked like a step backwards for some core pieces.

We've had a nice 3-game run recently against 3 struggling teams (all with lower point per game averages), but going 2-7-1 against stronger competition in the 10 games before this run is probably a better indication of where this team is right now.

Given some of the recent comments by departed veterans and the lack of development of young players, I have a hard time seeing Greg Cronin as the guy to get this group to the next level.
- hardenx

Cronin should have already been fired.. but alas Verbeek doubling down on bad decisions… can’t admit a mistake..

Cronin simply cannot be allowed another year… no way no how…

Tomorrow is a huge game against Calgary - if we go into the break only 3 or 4 pts back… well that would be pretty sweet.

Cronin has to go, he is a joke of a coach. If you watch the powerplay their setup is terrible, this is 100% on Cronin. With the entire team struggling to score it pretty much has to be their system. With 5 players under 21 the coach has one job, roll the lines and give them attaboys, then prepare to be fired or promoted once the team is developed enough to run for the playoffs.

The entire 4th line on this team needs to go as well, how hard is it to get a competent veteran 4th line that can provide energy and play a competent group of penalty killers?

There was a post by Patrick Present of The Hockey News where he asked Cronin about his coaching philosophy and how he wants the Ducks to play, and his answer was so disheartening. Cronin wants the Ducks to play like a possession team, similar to Florida and LA. That's all well and good but THE DUCKS DON'T POSSESS THOSE TYPE OF PLAYERS!!! There are maybe 3 or 4 kids who could play that way, the rest are skaters. So, if that's the way Cronin wants his teams to play, we need to start rebuild number 2 and get rid of everyone other than McTavish, Gauthier, and maybe Carlsson. I've heard rumors that GMPV has told Cronin to change his game plan up to accommodate the current roster and, lo and behold, 16 goals in the past 3 games. Good coaches don't ask their players to do something that they can't do. Why Cronin couldn't use NJ as a model for the Ducks is beyond me, the Ducks skill players mesh pretty well with the Devils, however, because he can't seem to grasp this concept, Cronin needs to be fired.

Another thing I think needs to be brought up is Cam Fowler. Raise your hand if you thought he was done as a player. I did. He played a year and a half under Cronin and was terrible. He was so bad GMPV had to keep $2.5 million of his salary and got a AHL d-man and a second 2 years from now in return. Damn near every Ducks fan was fine with that fleecing because we thought Cam was done. He's played 21 games for a real coach, 5 goals, 8 assists, +4, 22 minutes of ice time. If that doesn't speak for the coaching, I don't know what does. Cronin needs to go.

There was a post by Patrick Present of The Hockey News where he asked Cronin about his coaching philosophy and how he wants the Ducks to play, and his answer was so disheartening. Cronin wants the Ducks to play like a possession team, similar to Florida and LA. That's all well and good but THE DUCKS DON'T POSSESS THOSE TYPE OF PLAYERS!!! There are maybe 3 or 4 kids who could play that way, the rest are skaters. So, if that's the way Cronin wants his teams to play, we need to start rebuild number 2 and get rid of everyone other than McTavish, Gauthier, and maybe Carlsson. I've heard rumors that GMPV has told Cronin to change his game plan up to accommodate the current roster and, lo and behold, 16 goals in the past 3 games. Good coaches don't ask their players to do something that they can't do. Why Cronin couldn't use NJ as a model for the Ducks is beyond me, the Ducks skill players mesh pretty well with the Devils, however, because he can't seem to grasp this concept, Cronin needs to be fired.

Another thing I think needs to be brought up is Cam Fowler. Raise your hand if you thought he was done as a player. I did. He played a year and a half under Cronin and was terrible. He was so bad GMPV had to keep $2.5 million of his salary and got a AHL d-man and a second 2 years from now in return. Damn near every Ducks fan was fine with that fleecing because we thought Cam was done. He's played 21 games for a real coach, 5 goals, 8 assists, +4, 22 minutes of ice time. If that doesn't speak for the coaching, I don't know what does. Cronin needs to go.
- duxcup07

Verbeek just won't acknowledge what is evident to every Ducks fan... Cronin is a mess. His lineup decisions... scratching baby Z... wtf.. to his strategy.. which you alluded to... to his in game adjustments ...

He cannot be allowed anywhere near Beckett... at all.