The Anaheim Ducks and New York Rangers, both seeking new head coaches, present contrasting situations for potential candidates.
Anaheim, in a rebuilding phase, requires a coach to lead a promising young roster out of a seven-year playoff drought. New York, after a disappointing season missing the playoffs, needs a coach to get them back on track.
Elliotte Friedman from 32 Thoughts: The Podcast discussed these coaching vacancies, highlighting the different challenges and attractions of each position for potential coaches and general managers.
Friedman noted that Ducks GM Pat Verbeek`s decision to move on from Greg Cronin suggests a desire to accelerate the team`s progress toward playoff contention as early as next season.
According to Friedman, Verbeek likely considered whether Cronin was the coach to lead them to the playoffs in the near future. This summer is crucial for Anaheim`s development.
Cronin coached Anaheim for two seasons, achieving a 62-87-15 record and overseeing a significant year-over-year improvement with the league`s sixth-youngest roster.
This progress, combined with the young talent, could make the Ducks job highly appealing to coaching candidates.
Friedman suggests the Ducks` vacancy might be surprisingly attractive due to their emerging talent and upward trajectory. Coaches may view Anaheim as a team poised for improvement with a strong core of young players.
The Ducks boast five 20-goal scorers under 25, including Mason McTavish, Leo Carlsson, and Cutter Gauthier, along with young defensemen like Jackson LaCombe, Olen Zellweger, and Pavel Mintyukov. Goaltender Lukáš Dostál, 24, also showed promise this season.
Adding to the appeal, Anaheim has substantial salary cap space and player assets to facilitate trades and further strengthen the team.
Conversely, the New York Rangers` coaching position may be viewed with more caution.
Friedman suggests potential coaches might be hesitant about the Rangers` job due to recent instability and uncertainty surrounding the roster.
He emphasizes the need for the Rangers to establish a positive environment, ensuring players are committed and content. A new coach will likely want clarity on player satisfaction and potential roster changes.
Despite potential concerns, Friedman dismisses the notion that the Rangers will struggle to find a coach, considering it an attractive franchise overall.
The next Rangers coach will be the fourth in six seasons, following David Quinn, Gerard Gallant, and Peter Laviolette, who was recently dismissed after a successful regular season the year prior.
GM Chris Drury indicated an open mind regarding coaching experience, even considering a first-time NHL head coach.
Friedman finds Drury`s openness intriguing, speculating that it might signal interest in University of Denver coach David Carle, who has achieved NCAA championships in 2022 and 2024.
Carle has been Denver`s head coach since 2018.
Tristan Blackwood