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Anaheim Ducks finally fire head coach Randy Carlyle

By Dave Stevenson

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 19: Randy Carlyle of the Anaheim Ducks handles bench duties during the first period against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 19, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 19: Randy Carlyle of the Anaheim Ducks handles bench duties during the first period against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 19, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Randy Carlyle won a Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in his first stint with them. His second tenure went far worse, as the Ducks have fired him after losing 19 of their last 21 games. 

The Anaheim Ducks have been a perplexing team this season. They got off to a decent start, but have lost 19 of their last 21 games. After each loss, head coach Randy Carlyle had to have his job security questioned. It was an awkward situation for every party involved.

After losing to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, the Ducks have announced they’ve fired Carlyle. His legacy in Anaheim will never die, as he helped the team win the Stanley Cup during the 2006-07 season. However, Carlyle’s legacy now is noticeably less significant than it was a few years ago.

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General Manager Bob Murray will take over for him as the interim head coach. This is his first stint behind the bench in his NHL career. It’s safe to say Murray doesn’t want to do an in-season coaching change.

The last general manager to double as the head coach was Tom Rowe of the Florida Panthers. Bryan Murray is famous for having success both behind the bench and in the front office. Lou Lamoriello, currently of the New York Islanders, famously fulfilled both roles on several occasions during his tenure with the New Jersey Devils. So this isn’t the first time a general manager has stepped behind the bench.

Expect San Diego Gulls head coach Dallas Eakins to be on the short list for Carlyle’s long-term replacement. He deserves a second chance after his time with the Edmonton Oilers didn’t end well. Eakins has done a great job coaching up their young players. The Ducks will need someone who can get the most out of them. Why not hire the guy who’s proven he can do that (albeit at a lesser level than the NHL)?

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The Ducks will try to save their season. Thanks to how pitiful the Western Conference has been, they aren’t quite out of the postseason hunt. But firing Carlyle might be too little, too late if they’re hoping to turn around their season.

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