After finishing 35-37-10, sixth in the Pacific Division, the Anaheim Ducks fired head coach Greg Cronin on Saturday, April 19. The organization has not been to the postseason since 2017-28 and has finished sixth or worse every season since then.
With a 62-87-15 record in two seasons, the Ducks are moving on, and hockey fans reacted to the move.
NHL Fans React to Anaheim Ducks Letting Greg Cronin Go
“After several weeks of careful evaluation, I concluded we needed a change in direction and a new voice. This was an extremely difficult decision for me to make, but I felt it was necessary to continue our progress toward becoming a Stanley Cup contender that I know we can be,” Anaheim general manager Pat Verbeek said in the official release.
Fans wasted no time, taking to social media to share their take on the news. Their reactions on X were largely in favor of the move. “Good riddance,” said one user on X.
Good riddance
— andrew (@gptftw) April 19, 2025
Another fan pleaded with the Ducks not to hire ex-Philadelphia Flyers coach John Tortorella as the new Ducks’ coach. “Please don’t hire Torts!” they exclaimed.
Please don’t hire Torts!
— Benjamin Russell (@nimajneb87) April 19, 2025
“Good. Get the right guy to get this team to the next level and chase the cup!” one fan said.
“Now let’s get a real coach,” another chimed in.
“Honestly, this was the right move. Despite the improvements we made, I felt we should have been better. The numerous clashes he had with players like Trevor Zegras certainly didn’t help either.” Yet another fan analyzed.
Honestly, this was the right move. Despite the improvements we made, I felt we should have been better. The numerous clashes he had with players like Trevor Zegras certainly didn't help either.
— DELOREAN FLEETWOOD (THE RED HOT WRECK) (@THEREDHOTWRECK) April 19, 2025
Cronin joined the Ducks in 2023 after five seasons as head coach of the AHL’s Colorado Eagles. Before that, he spent four years as an assistant with the New York Islanders (2014-17) and one year as associate coach (2017-18). He also worked as an assistant with the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2011-14 and was the head coach of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers from 2002-05, following five seasons as an assistant there.
At the college level, Cronin was head coach at Northeastern from 2005-11 and an assistant at the University of Maine and Colorado College throughout the ’90s. He also served as Maine’s interim head coach from 1995-96.
Cronin was the first coach to be fired after the regular NHL season ended on Thursday, April 17. He was criticized extensively for his treatment of 24-year-old player Zegras, who only managed 18 goals and 29 assists in 88 games under Cronin.
Cronin had 62 wins over two seasons with the Ducks. They won 35 games this season and scored 80 points, marking a 21-point increase over last season. However, the Ducks missed the playoffs for the seventh season in a row.