The Anaheim Ducks will bring back their coach and general manager following a rough 17-30-9 season, according to GM Bob Murray, but their standout center may be headed elsewhere.
“I’m coming back next year,” Murray said during a conference call with reporters. “Dallas (Eakins) will be our coach next year. Ryan Getzlaf and I have met and we’re talking about a few things. He’s obviously at a point in his career where he needs to take a little step back and see what’s best for his family and what he thinks his role can be.
“We discussed roles on the hockey team. Ryan and I discussed a whole bunch of things. We’ll continue to have discussions, so I don’t quite have an answer on that one.”
Murray said he delayed the media availability until he could meet with CEO Michael Schulman and owners Henry and Susan Samueli.
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“They understand the plan,” Murray said. “They want it to be quicker, too. Everybody wants it. Nobody likes losing.”
The franchise-worst points percentage in 2020-21 came with an NHL record-low power-play percentage of 8.9.
“This is a critical summer,” Murray said.
Eakins is 46-63-18 in his two seasons as Ducks coach.
–Field Level Media