Anaheim Ducks GM Pat Verbeek Sets Shockingly High Expectations for Next Season

The Anaheim Ducks parted ways with head coach Greg Cronin on Saturday after two consecutive losing seasons, as general manager Pat Verbeek said the team required a new voice to drive its rebuild.

Verbeek wouldn't blame the firing on a tangible reason. He staunchly explained that the Ducks' 35-37-10 record and ongoing scoring issues weren't being axed. And the locker room atmosphere wasn't necessarily in bad shape, but it wasn't fantastic either.

But still, the organization is ready for change behind its bench for a shot at the playoffs next season. Although the Ducks did improve by 21 points from the year before, their 80-point total still left them well out of playoff contention.

Cronin's overall record of 62-87-15 reflects the struggles Anaheim has faced during its extended rebuild and the franchise's longest drought without the playoffs, which started in 2018.

For the first time during his three and a half years as GM, Verbeek publicly stated that he is expecting the Ducks to play in the playoffs next year.

In that vein, he's setting up to do another thorough coaching search, like the one that led to Cronin's hiring in 2023.

Verbeek said he remains open to bringing in a first-time head coach but that whoever it is will be inheriting a situation with a promising young core.

Sure, Anaheim was 12th in the Western Conference and 16 points from a playoff spot, but the Ducks are optimistic that their rebuild is now on the cusp of a corner.

Only Buffalo and Detroit have longer active playoff droughts now than the Ducks, but Verbeek is suggesting that time is of the essence, and change must happen quickly.