The Anaheim Ducks parted ways with head coach Greg Cronin on April 19, following his second season behind the Ducks’ bench.
Why Now was the Right Time for the Ducks to Part with Cronin
Just one week later, on April 26, the first sizable news around general manager Pat Verbeek’s coaching search surfaced, a somewhat surprising development considering Verbeek’s statements alluding to casting a wide net and being open to any coach at his media availability following Cronin’s firing.
“It’s much like the way I took the approach last time,” Verbeek said. “The net’s going to be cast wide. I’m not going to really eliminate any options as far as my approach to the next coach.”
On Saturday morning, ESPN’s John Buccigross sent a cryptic post on social media of side-by-side images of controversial (to say the least) three-time Stanley Cup-winning head coach Joel Quenneville and a family of Ducks.
Nearly four hours later, James Murphy of RG Media reported that a “well-connected NHL source” told him the Ducks offered Quenneville their open head coaching job.
“The job is his if he wants it, and I’d be stunned if he doesn’t take it,” Murphy’s source relayed to him. “I’d say it’s 99.999999 percent he becomes the next head coach in Anaheim.”
Roughly an hour and a half later, PHWA President Frank Seravalli from DailyFaceoff.com slightly contradicted Murphy’s report, confirming the Ducks interviewed Quenneville, but stated the team is early in their process.
“Joel Quenneville recently interviewed for the (Ducks) head coaching vacancy,” Seravalli reported on social media. “He is a strong candidate but it’s still early in the process, multiple interviews to come in Anaheim.”
Quenneville (66) sits second on the NHL’s all-time wins list for head coaches with 969. He hasn’t coached a game since Oct. 28, 2021. He resigned from his position as head coach of the Florida Panthers following the results of Jenner & Block’s investigation into the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks.
The Ducks have stated that they are not going to confirm or deny each report and rumor on candidates.
UPDATE
The IIHF U18 World Championship is underway in Frisco, Texas, the final big on-ice draft event of the season. Making up most of the attendance numbers are NHL coaches, scouts, media, and family members of players.
Sean Shapiro of DLLS Sports and Elite Prospects offered an update on the Anaheim coaching search via social media on Saturday.
“Chatter at U18s from some in the NHL coaching circles is that Anaheim has interviewed, but not offered the job to anyone,” Shapiro said.
Elliotte Friedman from SportsNet is one of the NHL's premier insiders. He gave his thoughts on Monday’s rendition of his “32 Thoughts” podcast.
“The way I understand it, he’s definitely a serious candidate there, and we’ll see if he ends up being the guy. But he’s definitely a serious candidate. I don’t think that’s the only team that’s interested in him.
“I think the Ducks are very serious about it from a hockey perspective. You’ve heard Pat Verbeek say that they want to make the playoffs next year, and that’s why I think he’s looking at Quenneville, and Quenneville is a possibility. And I think the two of them met face-to-face last week.
“The bottom line is the Ducks are considering him, and he is a very serious contender for their job.”
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