Anaheim Ducks: The Curious Case of Randy Carlyle
By Kennyth M
Most NHL coaches wouldn’t survive one losing streak let alone three but the Anaheim Ducks bench boss remains in power. It’s time we investigated the curious case of Randy Carlyle.
As the Anaheim Ducks are entrenched in, yet another, losing streak, the chants to fire Randy Carlyle are echoing throughout even the quietest corners of the hockey world. So much so, fans have begun questioning the competency of General Manager Bob Murray.
In the midst of chaos, it’s important to view the struggles objectively. I hope to shed some clarity on why his re-hiring made sense, why he’s no longer fit for the job, and possible reasons Murray has decided to keep the much-maligned coach.
Why He Was Re-hired
Randy Carlyle led the Ducks to California’s first Stanley Cup Championship back in 2007. After several successful seasons as the club’s bench manager, Anaheim’s roster was beset by the salary cap rigors from the pursuit of hoisting Lord Stanley’s Cup. Several players, most noticeably Chris Pronger, were shipped out as they transitioned to a younger core of players.
Carlyle was considered a good coach, but his demanding coaching style was lost on a group with youthful ears. In 2011, Murray fired his long-time friend for, the more “Player-friendly,” Bruce Boudreau. Murray’s reading of the situation was correct, and the Anaheim Ducks flourished the proceeding 4 1/2 seasons.
Boudreau Era Errors
Under Boudreau’s tutelage, the Ducks captured 4 straight division titles and were one win away from an appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals. For every achievement; however, there was an equal disappointment in Ducks fandom.
All 4 trips to the playoffs saw the team going up 3 games to 2, with home-ice advantage in tow. Subsequently, in NHL record fashion, all 4 series they entered games 6 and 7, unprepared and sent home questioning their shortfalls.
After the fourth repeated season, Murray realized he needed another change behind the bench. Even the most fervent supporters of Boudreau, myself included, could see his tenure was at an end. What was once a youthful and transitioning core of players, was now a prime Stanley Cup contender. Re-enter Randy Carlyle.
The Carlyle Compass
When Murray went looking for a coach in 2016, he circled back to Randy Carlyle. Ensuring he didn’t send a negative rift through the locker room, he met with his leadership core and reported, “I got nothing but good feedback. They were unbelievably supportive and were even pushing for him.”
To win the Stanely Cup, a coach with a demanding work ethic was imperative if they wanted to escape their game 7 demons. Re-hiring Carlyle was received with cautious optimism and not so silent skepticism. Be that as it may, Carlyle led an injury-riddled club to the Western Conference Finals and was proving the naysayers wrong.
Unfortunately, the Ducks trip to the WCF was the apex of his second coaching tenure. Beset by injury, the Ducks roster quickly turned from competitor to a team in transition.