The Ducks Hope Carlyle Can Turn The Clock Back To Magical 2007!

No Comments October 4, 2016 Ducks By John Stellman

It’s “Back To The Future” all over again.

The Ducks have turned their 2016 calendar back to 2007.

Deja Vu

On June 14 Anaheim’s National Hockey League team re-hired Randy Carlyle.

Carlyle was at the helm during that magical run to their Stanley Cup Championship.

He has won more games (272) than any other coach in the franchise’s history.

“I know in my heart that this is the right move at this time for this hockey team.

We all know this group has got a little window here. Three years, maybe, whatever.

And you had to get a guy in here that knew some of the players and knows that it’s time, that knows how to win,” stressed general manager Bob Murray .

Familiar Faces

There is familiarity on this roster.

One of them, Ryan Getzlaf, didn’t hesitate to jump on the Carlyle bandwagon.

The Anaheim captain likes Carlyle’s demeanor.

Getzlaf calls Carlyle “an in your face” type of coach who emphasizes structure.

Discipline, accountability and work ethic are at the foundation of Carlyle’s philosophy.

Been There Seen That

Ryan Kessler and Kevin Bieksa know first hand.

Kessler’s days in the American Hockey League included a stint on Carlyle’s Vancouver minor league team.

Teammate Bieksa said Carlyle is well organized and has “a great pulse on the game.”

“To me, it’s far down the road with this group, Carlyle told The Southern California News Group.

It’s not like you have to go in and build a team.

There’s a team, there’s a foundation of a group here that, in my mind, is a pretty good hockey club.”

NHL Honoree

The 1981 Norris Trophy winner as the league’s best defense men is a proven commodity.

Despite a parting of the ways 24 games into the 2011-2012 season, Carlyle’s track record in Anaheim has not gone unnoticed.

His first year in Orange County (2005-2006) the Ducks finished 43-27-12 but were eliminated by Edmonton on the Western Conference Finals.

Nobody eliminated the Ducks from the post season the following year.

Anaheim’s stellar 48-20-14 record was the Pacific Division’s best.

Little Resistance

In fact, only the Detroit Red Wings pushed the Ducks to six games in the playoffs.

Carlyle’s crew maneuvered past Minnesota, Vancouver and NHL finalist Ottawa each in five games.

Although he never again returned to the Stanley Cup Finals, Carlyle did put together a string of successful seasons.

Early Exit

In their encore year, the Ducks compiled a 47-27-8 record but were ousted by Dallas in the first round.

In 2008-2009 the 60-year old coach guided the Ducks 42-33-7 finish. The joy that exuded from an upset win over top seeded San Jose was quickly extinguished by a second round loss to Detroit.

The following season the Ducks failed to qualify for the playoffs.

But despite a second place finish (47-30-5) in 2010-2011, Anaheim was ousted by Nashville in six games.

What Have You Done For Me Lately?

When the Ducks got off to a slow start (7-13-4) the following fall, Carlyle, on November 30, was replaced by Bruce Boudreau.

Yet even though Boudreau won four straight Pacific Division titles between 2012-2013 and 2015-2016, he couldn’t capture the Cup.

And Murray got tired of Game 7 exits. Especially at home.

First, it was Detroit, who eliminated the Ducks in the Quarters.

The following year the arch rival Kings prevailed in the Second Round.

Chicago won the clincher in the 2014-2015 Western Conference Finals.

And finally, the Preditors sent the Ducks packing in Round One.

Try It Again

Murray decided to give his good friend and the only coach to hoist the Cup in Anaheim a second chance.

“First of all, there’s never one thing when it comes to coaching,” the GM began.

Job is far too complex.

In saying that, we all knew he’s an outstanding bench coach.

And we wanted to be sure he still would hold all of his players accountable.”

Getzlaf On Board

“We need a coach that has the experience to step in and control his office,” Getzlaf emphasized.

Control the organization from what he wants to see on a daily basis.

I’m looking forward to that,” the Ducks first round 2003 entry draft selection concluded.

So Is The coach

“In today’s game, the first word is going to be relationships.

We’re going to have relationships with our players. That’s first and foremost, front and center.

The other guys I coached before, I know what makes them tick,” Carlyle surmised.

Changed Man

“Randy is going to be different than he was before,” Murray said, calling Carlyle “much more mellow” after two firings.

“I don’t think you could come into a better hockey club, on ice or off,” Carlyle said, wearing a new orange tie.

It’s hard to find teams of this quality, and I feel very fortunate that I’m the guy they trusted and are showing confidence in to coach this group.”

Hefty Price

That confidence comes with expectations.

“This is a team that has to win now.

“If you look at the way the core is set up, a lot of guys are in their prime right now,” Bieksa stressed.

Our Turn

“It’s our turn to win,” Getzlaf chimed in, “there’s a short window.”

Randy Carlyle did it in 2007.

The Ducks are hoping he can DO IT AGAIN!

ESPN.com Contributed To This Article

About
Latest Posts

John Stellman

I was born with sports in my blood. I began coaching little league baseball at 15. I was the sports editor of my high school newspaper. I did football play by play for the college radio station. I broadcast high school basketball for a local commercial station. But baseball was always my passion. During the 1970's I covered the Angels for the Orange County Register. And now I am back where I belong...