On the fourth Friday of the month, we feature our monthly mailbag. You asked, and the staff at Pucks of a Feather is here to answer. In our last mailbag before the regular season starts, we cover everything from Corey Perry‘s knee injury to having dinner with our favorite NHL players.
Here are our last few monthly mailbags: August 2018, July 2018, June 2018, May 2018.
1.) Could another poor start to the season result in the firing of Carlyle?
Eddy Jones – I think it would have to be a horrible start. Like winless in the first 10-15 games. I would’ve probably said it was more likely before the Perry injury, but now Carlyle has another slew of injuries to fall back on with Eaves, Kesler, and Perry all out. I’m not saying he’s out of the hot seat, but it would take a horrible start for him to be fired.
Chris Bushell – I think Carlyle would be on a short leash anyways with how last season ended. He got a pass for the first half, but with everyone back and making a run to second in the division, he should’ve been able to get through one round. This year he has no leeway, even with the injuries, because the kids are here and can play fast. If it’s slow, he’s out before Thanksgiving and Eakins is the new coach.
Jake Robles – I could see it happening, but it would have to be an abysmal start to happen right away. I think if we’re really bad, say around the All-Star break, I could see him being fired.
Ciara Durant – Randy Carlyle has, yet again, too many excuses to fall back on early in the regular season. As Eddy already stated, Patrick Eaves, Corey Perry, and Ryan Kesler are all out. That is excuse number one. Secondly, even though I think the rookies are going to help the team tremendously, he still has the option to point the finger at them. Especially since most of them don’t have a lot of NHL seasoning.
The only way I see Randy Carlyle getting fired this season at all is if a.) the Ducks don’t make it into the playoffs at all or b.) they don’t make it past the second round. If he does get fired early in the season, it’s only because the Ducks are on a losing streak like nothing we’ve ever seen before. For the sake of the team I love, I hope this doesn’t happen. Besides, we still have a lot of talent on our team. I do, however, think that Carlyle will be replaced within the next two seasons.