Reflection
While I was waiting for my laptop to come back from the manufacturer, I had lots of time to mull over the abrupt end to the Anaheim Ducks season. Losing in the opening round clearly left a bad taste in the mouths of the Anaheim faithful. It caused GM Bob Murray to do some some serious re-evaluation of his team.
Change at the Top
The first step was the dismissal of head coach Bruce Boudreau. A slow start to the season almost did him in around the holidays. If not for the strong play of call up John Gibson, Boudreau would have been gone by the new year. I said it during the 2015 playoffs and I'll repeat it here. In do or die situations, he got out coached. Joel Quenville made Boudreau look bad in 2015 and Peter Laviolette put the last nail in his coffin this year.
There is no ax to grind. Boudreau's regular season record can't be denied. His 208-104-40 record while running the Duck shouldn't be glossed over. He's a good coach and generally a good guy. Unfortunately for him, he didn't get the job done. Boudreau will do well in his new Minnesota digs. How far he can take them in the playoffs is another question.
Whose Next?
So the search is on for a new coach. Current assistant Paul MacLean interviews for the position Monday. His work with the Ducks power play was nothing short of extraordinary. The downside on MacLean is that his playoff coaching history is worse than Boudreau's.
Anaheim's other assistant coach Trent Yawney will also get a look from Murray. In his previous head coaching experience, Yawney accumulated a paltry 33-55-15 record with Chicago from 2005-2007. He has been an assistant for a long time since that initial stint, he has surely developed his craft.
One more internal candidate will be considered, San Diego Gulls head coach Dallas Eakins. The native Floridian has done a great job with Anaheim's top minor league affiliate this year. He has previous NHL coaching experience as well. The fact that it was with a chronically under performing Edmonton Oilers team shouldn't be held against him.
There are rumored external candidates as well. Although his name has come up, it would be somewhat shocking if Randy Carlyle made a return to the Anaheim bench. Two other top candidates Guy Boucher and Marc Crawford are now off the market and in Ottawa. Murray has received permission to speak with former Wild head man Mike Yeo, another coach who did very little with decent talent. Murray is known for playing his cards close to the vest, so its safe to say he and his staff are evaluating other candidates.
Next up for Murray will be resigning free agents. I'll take a look at the stay or go scenarios in the next blog.
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