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Three reasons why Randy Carlyle is a bad fit for the Ducks

By Dave Stevenson

Dec 18, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle looks on during the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle looks on during the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images /

3. Outdated Methods

While Carlyle did have success with the Ducks and even took the Leafs to a playoff birth during the 2012-13 season (where they famously lost in Game 7 despite holding a huge lead late in the game), his methods have proven to be quite outdated. Carlyle’s methods worked well in his early years in Anaheim when the Ducks asserted their size and strength, led by Hall of Fame defensemen Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer. Those methods have since been proven to not longer work in today’s NHL which relies more on speed and quickness than brute force.

Carlyle did not have success after his Stanley Cup victory in 2006-07, as his team either failed to make the playoffs or lost in the first round in six of his last seven seasons. His teams were each beaten by faster and quicker teams. By contrast, Bruce Boudreau coached the Ducks in a way that took advantage of their skill and speed. He even showed a willingness to adapt by installing a variation of the trap, helping the Ducks overcome a very slow start to win the Pacific Division.

Today’s NHL is all about adapting. That’s something that Carlyle has struggled with consistently throughout his coaching career.

Next: 2. Can't Teach An Old Dog New Tricks

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