Ducks fans are divided in their reactions to the re-hiring of Randy Carlyle as head coach. I was at a business meeting yesterday when the subject came up and the room was split on the decision to bring him back.
I asked you for your thoughts on the subjects and there is also a big divide. Even within individual remarks there are opposing positions.
Here is a sample of the comments:
I didn't like it at first, but the idea actually is growing on me. After listening to the press conference, Carlyle sounded like a coach who has learned and tried to keep up with current trends and play. The Ducks desperately needed a better bench coach to make adjustments and match up against other good coaches especially when it came to playoff series. (Can't remember where, but a player said they basically don't prepare much for playoff games). Hopefully Carlyle can be the difference that helps the Ducks to the cup again. The main concern is how he will manage the top players that have already had him as a coach. If they are on board, this could be good, but I agree, if this doesn't work, Murray just cost himself his job. - CptAhab
This is the first time in a loooong time I've gone into a new season with this much trepidation. I posted in an earlier blog that this is either going to work perfectly or it's going to be a dumpster fire disaster, there will be no in between. I agree 100% with you Ed, if this goes as bad as I fear Bob Murray is done too. - duxcup07
I'm stunned and very disappointed - some many viable exciting young coaches out there and Ducks go here - I hope to be proven wrong - when he got canned this team was 29th or 30th and a tire fire - this sucks on so many levels - Did BM even do a search ??? or was his and RC's family's closeness the deciding factor - Not renewing season tickets which sucks but I can't support this at all and that's the only way I know how to show my disgust. - dozerD10
My initial reaction was negative, but as I've thought things over, and the more I've read, the more I'm on board with the decision. The last two years Carlyle has been in the press box watching Ducks home games and "taking notes". He knows this team. Before he was hired a # of players were consulted. Getzlaf, Perry, Kesler, and Fowler (those players were named) were asked about bringing him back, and all were positive in their response. Now, before you say they had to say good things, no they didn't. If they felt it wouldn't work out, I think they'd be honest. It's being reported they were on board. I trust that's true. Heck, even Selanne sent a tweet he thought it was a great hire. Assumptions are being made that he hasn't changed. How do we know? He's a demanding coach who usually has defined roles for his players and expects they give 100% to that role. Nothing wrong with that. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt right now. - quackup
Stupid hire by Murray. There is no one who can say with a straight face that Carlyle is an improvement over Boudreau. This will not end well - for Bob Murray. Only positive side for me is I won't have to waste money on playoff tickets. - DiggerCal
I keep going back and forth about this. I was stunned last night when it came out, but like 5 minutes later I wasn't surprised at all. I don't think Randy should be compared to Bruce, nor should Bob be judged by that comparison. Bruce simply had to go, his playoff track record could no longer be ignored. He was gone regardless of the quality of other coaches available this offseason. Now I don't know if Randy is the answer, I personally think #10 and just the team in general need a kick in the ass and I don't know if a former coach is the way to do that. - gtrman09
If there can be some sort of balance between the way Carlyle used to coach and the way Boudreau coaches, I think that'll work for this team. At first I didn't like the hire, but lets see how it goes - letsgoducks
A common thread seems to be that Bob Murray's fate will be tied to Carlyle's success.