Cronin hired as coach of Ducks, replaces Eakins

The 60-year-old replaces Dallas Eakins and will hold the position for the first time in the NHL after five seasons guiding the Colorado Avalanche’s American Hockey League affiliate in Loveland, Colorado.

“I’m excited and honored to be named head coach of the Anaheim Ducks,” Cronin said. “This team has a fantastic future ahead, and I’m very grateful to the (owner Henry) Samueli family and (general manager) Pat Verbeek for entrusting me with this amazing opportunity.”

Eakins was fired April 14, one day after the Ducks ended the regular season with a team-record 13 consecutive losses (0-11-2) and last in the NHL standings (23-47-12). They did not win their first regulation game until defeating the New York Rangers 3-2 at Honda Center on Nov. 23. Anaheim ranked 31st in goals per game (2.51), last in goals against per game (4.09), and 31st on the power play (15.7 percent) and penalty kill (72.1 percent).

The Ducks have not qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2017-18, when they were swept by the San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference First Round. They own the No. 2 pick in the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on June 28-29.

“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,” Verbeek said. “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 was an NHL assistant coach for 12 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Islanders, and Islanders associate coach in 2017-18. He coached New York’s AHL affiliate in Bridgeport, Connecticut, from 2003-05, guiding the Sound Tigers to the Calder Cup Playoffs in his first season.

Cronin coached Northeastern University for six seasons (2005-11). He won Hockey East’s Bob Kullen Coach of the Year Award after the Huskies improved from three wins in his first season to an NCAA tournament appearance in 2009, the school’s first in 15 years.

Three NHL teams remain without a coach: the Calgary Flames, Columbus Blue Jackets and Rangers. The Washington Capitals hired Spencer Carbery on May 30 and the Nashville Predators named Andrew Brunette coach the next day.