Anaheim Ducks Raise, Call, Fold: The Return of Randy Carlyle

Should Randy Carlyle return to the Anaheim Ducks? Today, we discuss that, and more, in a game of raise, call, fold.

Let’s face it, the Anaheim Ducks offseason has been a snooze fest! Nothing of significance has happened aside from the organization naming Dallas Eakins as their next head coach, but we all saw that one coming from a mile away. We’ve been waiting, begging, for something interesting to happen. Nevertheless, a quiet offseason might be just what the doctor ordered after the dreadful 2018-19 season.

Regardless, it’s been rather disappointing to watch every other team in the NHL make exciting moves that will hopefully make their team better in the long run. Our outlook will likely change once the season begins. So, in order to combat these offseason blues, we’re bringing back one of our favorite games: raise, call, fold.

If you aren’t familiar with the game of raise, call, fold, or need a reminder, here’s a break down of how things work. Each of our contributors has been presented with the same four statements about the Anaheim Ducks. They will then use their best judgment to and choose to either raise, call, or fold.

“Raise” means they agree with the following statement. If they answer “call”, they are undecided or torn. “Fold” means they disagree completely. To back up their reasoning, they will each explain their thoughts on the statements at hand. We encourage you to play along!

The staff at Pucks of a Feather will respond to the following four statements:

1. Dallas Eakins will lead the Anaheim Ducks to the playoffs during his first season as head coach.

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.

3. The Anaheim Ducks are putting too much confidence in “the kids” going into the 2019-20 season.

4. Bob Murray made the right choice by not making any bold moves during free agency.

1. Dallas Eakins will lead the Anaheim Ducks to the playoffs during his first season as head coach.

Jonathan Maxfield: Fold- The Anaheim Ducks will play better this season and be far more entertaining to watch, but I don’t personally think it’s going to drastically improve their place in the standings. This is still a team with 3 top 4 defenders and, at best, 5 top 6 forwards. A player like John Gibson could drag them kicking and screaming to the playoffs, but I don’t see it. I think they’ll finish 7th-10th worst in the league.

Ed Stein: Call- Eakins has worked with many of the younger players previously and has a good feel for what they can do. The Anaheim Ducks will be better than last year. The question is, how will the rest of the Western Conference stack up?

Khalid Hart: Raise- If Eakins has as much synergy with the kids as advertised, then the Ducks should have no problem making the playoffs in year one. Combine that with the fact that the players actually have a coach they want to play for.

Last season, you could tell there were many times where the boys just went through the motions rather than actually competing. Also, I can’t see this team having the same amount of injuries they’ve been having the last few seasons. Hopefully, things will be different. This isn’t a Cup year and that’s okay. Buckle up, folks. We’re in the Eakins era now!

TJ Watson: Raise- Last year was a fluke as far as the number of injuries we sustained. The fact that Eakins has experience with the younger guys definitely helps out and I think the younger guys energize the veterans.

I also look in our division and I think we can get past our rivals, particularly the Los Angeles Kings and the Edmonton Oilers. I think with a new coach, this may be like when Mike Babcock rook over and we went to the Cup. This team is looking for a new start.

Alan Negrete: Raise- With the way he knows the rookies playing styles paired with the veterans, who can help each other out by sharing experiences, I’m fairly sure we will make the playoffs this season with no doubts. With the rookie’s speed and the core veterans knowledge of the game, they make for a very dangerous group of players.

Kenny Marcial: Fold- There will be a vast improvement in every aspect of their game, including talent, but that doesn’t mean we are any closer to the postseason. Unfortunately, there is so much youth on the roster, the odds are against Anaheim in making the playoffs.

In addition, Edmonton and Buffalo’s epic late seasons collapse, as well as some uninspiring late-season wins, the standings made Anaheim appear better than their on-ice product. With the Devils and Rangers suddenly looking like contenders, and teams like Buffalo having continued progression, there is a very real possibility the Ducks finish lower in the standings, even with a much better team.

Ciara Durant: Fold- I don’t think the Anaheim Ducks will make it to the playoffs next season, and it really has nothing to do with Dallas Eakins. I believe he will have a positive impact on the team, and with an influx of young talent, they will be much better than last year. However, this team isn’t going to change overnight. They still have bad habits that Eakins is going to have to break them of. The vets and rookies played together last season, yes, but it was a mess.

It going to be a huge adjustment for all of them. I believe they’ll play worse at the beginning of the season and have their typical second-half “comeback.” Still, with several teams that are looking really good going into the regular season that didn’t look good last year, this lowers their chances even more. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t mind having another high first-round draft pick going into the 2020 offseason. Add another elite prospect that can play alongside the likes of Trevor Zegras, and make their playoff come back the following season (assuming a lockout doesn’t drag out!)

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.

3. The Anaheim Ducks are putting too much confidence in “the kids” going into the 2019-20 season. 

Jonathan Maxfield: Call- 100%, I think they are. But, it’s not the wrong call. At some point, you have to see what you have and if Murray thinks his kids are special and the future of the team, he has to let them be that. I fall in the pessimistic camp that the youngsters aren’t “all that.” So, I expect a lot of growing pains, hence why I think there’s too much confidence in them.

Ed Stein: Fold- They don’t really have a choice. The future is now. There are some good young players. Sam Steel, Max Jones, Troy Terry, etc. Sure, the kids will face some growing pains, but they will be a much better team in March than they were in October.

Khalid Hart: Fold- I don’t think we’re too confident in the rookies. We have a rare opportunity to develop a few lines worth of talent. Terry, Steel, Jones, Max Comtois, Isac Lundestrom, and eventually, Trevor Zegras. After all, we drafted all of these guys for a reason.

TJ Watson: Fold- The rookies have us a glimpse into the future. e may not win the Cup right now, but I think we will be competitive and I think being faster helps us a lot.

Alan Negrete: Fold- The reason this is how I feel is that the coaches and all development staff are putting the right amount of confidence in the kids. Reason being, they can’t turn anywhere else. They’re either being deceptive and hoping to keep the boat afloat without anyone noticing that water is going inside or they truly have faith in the rookies, and I believe it is the latter. Only time can tell when it’s time to set sail.

Kenny Marcial: Fold- It’s time for the kids to get their shot, even if it doesn’t get Anaheim closer to the postseason this year. Terry, Steel, and Sprong all require time in the NHL for Murray to evaluate how they fit into the clubs future. Relying on Max Jones and Max Comtois to make the club next season would be a mistake, but I don’t believe that’s the situation. Murray clearly has fallback options should they not be ready, but positions are available for either should they be.

Personally, I think Jones makes the roster and Comtois spend some time down in San Diego. The popular opinion is that Comtois should be given every opportunity to start with the big club. Just a reminder, both Getzlaf and Perry participated in the AHL playoffs at the conclusion of their junior years.

Both players began the next season in the AHL, a development strategy Murray has expressed the desire to follow. As great as Comtois is, there are aspects of his game that can be developed in San Diego and Murray will afford him the opportunity if it’s in the players best interest.

Ciara Durant: Call- I believe that the Anaheim Ducks are putting all of their stock into their youth. That is a lot of responsibility for players who haven’t even played an entire season in the NHL. It could potentially affect their development and mess with their heads. However, if Dallas Eakins designs his roster wisely, it is possible that the younger players will thrive.

I hope it is the latter, but I have a feeling that a few players may end up being sent down to San Diego because the pressure becomes too much for them. They need that experience, but Ducks can’t expect to throw them in headfirst and expect them to “save” the team. They need to have realistic expectations for their youth.