Why Bob Murray is Riding the Randy Train
I don’t think for one minute Bob Murray believes Randy Carlyle is the coach his team needs at the moment. Why then, would he keep the “bench boss” when the entire fan base wants him gone? I attempt to examine some of the reasons.
No Longer a Contending Roster
As mentioned earlier, Murray brought in the demanding Carlyle to take a contending roster to the Stanely Cup. Falling just short of a trip to the finals in 2017 took its toll on the entire team, but none more so than the aforementioned Kesler. When the rest of his team was getting ready for training camp, the impact pivot was learning to walk again. He’s never been the same.
Anaheim was a defensively minded hockey club, with success predicated on having two elite centers. Arguably, they possessed the best 1-2 center combination in the entire Western Conference. After Kesler’s injury, the Ducks have become a team with no identity and whose talent isn’t developed enough to remain competitive.
Carlyle was never the long-term answer. He was hired for a team with a limited window of contention. The window closed for numerous reasons, and last years second place finish was a feat unto itself.
It’s Hard to Fire Results
The most fervent of Carlyle haters, and there are many, wanted him fired before the season started. After the 2018 first round playoff embarrassment, it was understandable from a fan perspective. In actuality, in his first two seasons with the club, the oft-criticized coach was able to take an undermanned team to the Western Conference Finals, and an injury-riddled lineup to a second place finish within the Pacific Division.
His on-ice tactics left a lot to be desired, but the results in his first two seasons are undeniable. Some candidates will look for any head coaching opportunity, but in-demand coaches will dissect their possible suitors. Firing Carlyle after two successful seasons in the face of adversity wouldn’t help our desirability, so it’s understandable Murray retained him.