Anaheim Ducks Raise, Call, Fold: The Return of Randy Carlyle
By Ciara Durant
![DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 15: Head coach Randy Carlyle of the Anaheim Ducks watches the action from the bench against the Detroit Red Wings during an NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on January 15, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit defeated Anaheim 3-1. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images) DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 15: Head coach Randy Carlyle of the Anaheim Ducks watches the action from the bench against the Detroit Red Wings during an NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on January 15, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit defeated Anaheim 3-1. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/a9804de4d9b648985ee5d50533b5cb2aab941e5f1a1db7b2b69fbe6f41e8ef76.jpg)
2. Despite being relieved of his coaching duties last season, Randy Carlyle should still be given the job he was promised in the front office.
Jonathan Maxfield: Call- The fans knew what Carlyle was when we rehired him. I can’t imagine Murray didn’t know what he was too. To promise him something and then take it away because you are what you’ve always been would be poor form and disrespectful to one of the best coaches overall in franchise history.
Ed Stein: Raise- One thing the Ducks can hang their hats on is integrity. If RC was promised a job, then the organization needs to follow through on it. Carlyle has a good mind for the game, why not take advantage of his knowledge and experience?
Khalid Hart: Fold- Carlyle shouldn’t be given that new position in the front office just because. That’s like me being fired from a company as a store manager and being brought back as a district supervisor a few months later. It just doesn’t make sense. Bad jobs don’t get rewarded.
TJ Watson: Call- I think RC’s style is near extinction. I think they should let Eakins and Sutter figure out how to work it out and we get someone who is adaptable with how the game is being played now.
Alan Negrete: Raise- He was basically promised a job. Plus, even more importantly, he is apart of Anaheim Ducks history whether you like it or not, so it would be fitting to see him in the front office where he seems to know the game better. But, please, for the love of the hockey gods, don’t let him anywhere near the bench!
Kenny Marcial: Fold- If it was just a losing season, I would be calling, “raise.” That notion came and went with RC’s apparent disregard for the best interest of the players and the future of the team. Regardless of his reasoning, refusing to mercifully pull John Gibson and arguing with the Captain over it, is something that should never happen.
Patrick Roy left Montreal due to a similar situation and all of Canda has been cursed ever since. Even though the players are equally responsible for the abysmal season, Murray wisely stepped in and hopefully, rectified the situation. With how ugly it ended, I don’t see how Murray brings the dinosaur back.
Ciara Durant: Call- Randy Carlyle caused a lot of damage last year. There is a lot of bitterness towards him from the fans, most likely the players, and possibly others as well. However, he was promised a job, and I think Bob Murray should follow through on that promise.
Despite the events of last season, he is still incredibly wise when it comes to the game of hockey, and as long as he’s kept in the front office and away from the players, he could be useful. I do, however, think Murray may need to let the fire die down before bringing Carlyle back. There is also the question of whether RC wants to come back to the organization after being embarrassingly relieved of his coaching duties.