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.

It's difficult to gauge progress of the development. All the Analitics stats you guys are using to judge this team is pretty much just Garbage. The Ducks aren't operating on a standard operating procedure that most teams do. So using a typical Analitics algorithm will lead you to the wrong conclusions. The Ducks are currently in a developmental system the build teamwork, structure, basic skills, effort, ect. This is a process that younger teams have to go through to learn standard hockey skills that Analitics take for granted.
Now at the moment The Ducks Coaches are mostly working on Forecheck, getting Pucks deep, Zone entries, Faceoffs. Last year seemed to be more Defensive minded. More protecting the net front around the Goalie, zone exits, passing. And I think it would help all you Analitics type hockey fans to look at it like building a house. The Defense being the Foundation. Like Concrete floors, Footings, ect. That was mostly what happened last year. This year it building walls which would be the middle of the ice. Zone exits, Zone entries, Forecheck, ect. And this part has been kind of shaky. Especially Zone entries. The Ducks are struggling with that. And last would be the Roof. Analitics favorite part of the Huse Building process. Offensive zone possession, Cycling, Power Play, Shots, Heat maps are all part of the Roof. And this is the part you Analitics types are complaining about the most. You Guys think you can have a good Roof without a strong Foundation and Steady Walls. Well I have to say your 100% wrong. These 2 things hold up the Roof (Offense) and make it possible to win games. And I do agree that Offense wins games. But Defense and the Transition Game give Teams the opportunity to win games. You ain't winning many games giving up 4 or 5 Goals every game or not being able to move the Puck up the Ice.

So as for now I say the Ducks are doing good. Progress is being made even though your Graph charts say otherwise. And if they continue in this Process then the Ducks in the next couple of years should be a playoff team. Just gotta keep going. Or like Dorry said. "Just keep Swimming, Just keep Swimming"

It's difficult to gauge progress of the development. All the Analitics stats you guys are using to judge this team is pretty much just Garbage. The Ducks aren't operating on a standard operating procedure that most teams do. So using a typical Analitics algorithm will lead you to the wrong conclusions. The Ducks are currently in a developmental system the build teamwork, structure, basic skills, effort, ect. This is a process that younger teams have to go through to learn standard hockey skills that Analitics take for granted.
Now at the moment The Ducks Coaches are mostly working on Forecheck, getting Pucks deep, Zone entries, Faceoffs. Last year seemed to be more Defensive minded. More protecting the net front around the Goalie, zone exits, passing. And I think it would help all you Analitics type hockey fans to look at it like building a house. The Defense being the Foundation. Like Concrete floors, Footings, ect. That was mostly what happened last year. This year it building walls which would be the middle of the ice. Zone exits, Zone entries, Forecheck, ect. And this part has been kind of shaky. Especially Zone entries. The Ducks are struggling with that. And last would be the Roof. Analitics favorite part of the Huse Building process. Offensive zone possession, Cycling, Power Play, Shots, Heat maps are all part of the Roof. And this is the part you Analitics types are complaining about the most. You Guys think you can have a good Roof without a strong Foundation and Steady Walls. Well I have to say your 100% wrong. These 2 things hold up the Roof (Offense) and make it possible to win games. And I do agree that Offense wins games. But Defense and the Transition Game give Teams the opportunity to win games. You ain't winning many games giving up 4 or 5 Goals every game or not being able to move the Puck up the Ice.

So as for now I say the Ducks are doing good. Progress is being made even though your Graph charts say otherwise. And if they continue in this Process then the Ducks in the next couple of years should be a playoff team. Just gotta keep going. Or like Dorry said. "Just keep Swimming, Just keep Swimming"
- Eman87654

If we had hired an actual real nhl coach 4 years ago we’d be way better today….

But no, we went cheap and hired a total disaster in the swarm who was a known loser …. then we followed that up with another mistake with an untested unproven NHL level coach.

Cronin has basically ruined Leo’s love for the game of hockey… just look at his body language. He looks miserable out there.

He is totally totally stunted the offensive growth of top draft picks…

He makes the most idiotic game coaching decisions, along with lineup decisions that are totally unexplainable…

And you’re focusing on some nonsense about building a foundation and a house….

And just to address your point on that development thing - we suck defensively unless you haven’t noticed so whatever he was working on last year didn’t work…

We’re basically bottom five in every defensive and offensive category there is so what the Hell has Cronin accomplished ?

If we had hired an actual real nhl coach 4 years ago we’d be way better today….

But no, we went cheap and hired a total disaster in the swarm who was a known loser …. then we followed that up with another mistake with an untested unproven NHL level coach.

Cronin has basically ruined Leo’s love for the game of hockey… just look at his body language. He looks miserable out there.

He is totally totally stunted the offensive growth of top draft picks…

He makes the most idiotic game coaching decisions, along with lineup decisions that are totally unexplainable…

And you’re focusing on some nonsense about building a foundation and a house….

And just to address your point on that development thing - we suck defensively unless you haven’t noticed so whatever he was working on last year didn’t work…

We’re basically bottom five in every defensive and offensive category there is so what the Hell has Cronin accomplished ?
- dozerD10

Well it's just a simile. Making a comparison of one thing to another to make a point. Cronin has accomplished enough to keep going. And Cronin has accomplished more than Eakins did. And the defense is better. I don't count possession as a Defensive metric like all the Graph charts your reading do. The Save percentage of Dostal and Gibson are up and Opposition shot totals are down. So that's way better already.

Well it's just a simile. Making a comparison of one thing to another to make a point. Cronin has accomplished enough to keep going. And Cronin has accomplished more than Eakins did. And the defense is better. I don't count possession as a Defensive metric like all the Graph charts your reading do. The Save percentage of Dostal and Gibson are up and Opposition shot totals are down. So that's way better already.
- Eman87654

I’m an eye test guy 100%… I don’t do fancy charts -
Shots are down I’ll grant you that.. and perhaps the save % is up…

Saying Cronin has been better than the swarm is like saying the Hindenburg was less of a disaster than the Titanic..

We’re still bottom five in way too many categories on both sides of the puck.

And this isn’t even to mention all the ex players talking shiit on Cronin about what an absolute awful Ahole he is

I’m an eye test guy 100%… I don’t do fancy charts -
Shots are down I’ll grant you that.. and perhaps the save % is up…

Saying Cronin has been better than the swarm is like saying the Hindenburg was less of a disaster than the Titanic..

We’re still bottom five in way too many categories on both sides of the puck.

And this isn’t even to mention all the ex players talking shiit on Cronin about what an absolute awful Ahole he is
- dozerD10

True. The Ducks are a bottom 3rd in almost every stat expect for Goaltending. But you gotta look a the last 4 years to get a good picture of what's going on. The Ducks dug themselves in such a huge hole that any progress is good. So using your Simile I'd say its more like Pearl Harbor vs the Titanic. Because Cronin is doing a better job at fixing things. His main problem is its just taking too long.

After an absolutely horrible first we were better for the last 40 minutes, but still definitely need to be ready to play 60 full minutes…

This is crazy. PER Mike Kelly -

The Ducks are the lowest scoring team in the league but have been better offensively recently and have won 4 of their last 5 games. A few things on how good their goaltending has been this season, which gets a bit lost given they are 22-24-6 and rank 21st in GAA.

Ducks are one of 4 undefeated teams when scoring 4 or more goals (13-0-0).

Ducks have the 3rd best win % in the NHL when scoring 3 or more goals. 21-0-2.

Gibson and Dostal are both top-10 in goals saved above expected / 60 - only teammates both in top-10.

Gibson is 9th, Dostal is 17th in save % despite the team ranking last in expected goals against.

Ducks goalie have 8 'steals' (goals saved above expected is greater than score differential) and only 1 'blown start' (goals saved below expected is greater than score differential). That plus +7 is best in the NHL.

This is crazy. PER Mike Kelly -

The Ducks are the lowest scoring team in the league but have been better offensively recently and have won 4 of their last 5 games. A few things on how good their goaltending has been this season, which gets a bit lost given they are 22-24-6 and rank 21st in GAA.

Ducks are one of 4 undefeated teams when scoring 4 or more goals (13-0-0).

Ducks have the 3rd best win % in the NHL when scoring 3 or more goals. 21-0-2.

Gibson and Dostal are both top-10 in goals saved above expected / 60 - only teammates both in top-10.

Gibson is 9th, Dostal is 17th in save % despite the team ranking last in expected goals against.

Ducks goalie have 8 'steals' (goals saved above expected is greater than score differential) and only 1 'blown start' (goals saved below expected is greater than score differential). That plus +7 is best in the NHL.
- dozerD10

These are CRAZY stats! I also think it proves that whatever Cronin is teaching these guys defensively, he's not doing a very good job. You'd be hard-pressed to name another goaltending duo that have been as good as Gibson/Dostal. How many teams are regretting not pulling the trigger for Gibson earlier. They could have gotten him for a lot less than they will now.

An Excellent win last night against the Stars.. Who knew that playing Baby Z would make the backend better ... and generate more chances...

Trevor continues to prove that he is by Far our best and most complete F. By Miles.

Gibby real real solid.