Ducks name Cronin next head coach

*Photo from NHL.com*

   Another bench boss has been chosen this offseason. The Anaheim Ducks have hired Greg Cronin to be the team's next head coach, according to an announcement by the team on Monday.

   The Ducks fired Dallas Eakins after the season ended and now have his replacement in hand. Cronin spent the last 5 seasons as the head coach of the AHL Colorado Eagles and has 12 seasons as an NHL assistant under his belt. This will be his first time as a head coach at the NHL level.

   Cronin said of getting the job that "I'm excited and honored to be named head coach of the Anaheim Ducks. This team has a fantastic future ahead, and I'm very grateful to the Samueli family and Pat Verbeek for entrusting me with this amazing opportunity."

   Last season, the Ducks ended the regular season with 13 straight losses, going 0-11-2 to set a team record. They didn't win a game in regulation until November 23 against the New York Rangers and finished last in the NHL standings with a 23-47-12 record. They ranked 31st in goals per game and 32nd in goals against per game to go with ranking 31st on both the power play and penalty kill.

   Previously, Cronin worked as an assistant coach for the New York Islanders for two separate stints in addition to the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2011-2014. He has been with the Colby College, Maine University, and Northeastern University Hockey teams and helped found the United States National Team Development Program.

   The Ducks have not made the playoffs since the 2017-2018 season, when they were swept by the San Jose Sharks. Thanks to a poor performance last season, they have the second overall pick in this year's draft, slated for June 28 and 29 in Nashville.

   Ducks GM Pat Verbeek said of hiring Cronin that "While we did cast a wide net in searching for the next head coach, it became clear to me that Greg would be the ideal fit for the position. Being a young team, I felt we needed a teacher of the finer points of the game, and someone who has worked extensively over time with talented young players, helping them develop into successful NHL players. Greg has done all that and more, and we are excited to name him head coach of the Anaheim Ducks."

   Cronin joins Spencer Carbery and Andrew Brunette as head coaching hires this offseason. The Rangers, Calgary Flames, and Columbus Blue Jackets are the 3 teams left without a head coach.