Anaheim Implements Strategic Coaching Changes for Upcoming Season

Anaheim Implements Strategic Coaching Changes for 2025-26 Season

The Anaheim Ducks have finalized their coaching staff for the upcoming 2025-26 season, securing the hiring of former Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft as an assistant coach. This decision follows a tumultuous season that saw the Ducks miss the playoffs for a franchise-record seventh consecutive year, finishing with a 35-37-10 record.

Woodcroft, who led the Oilers from 2022 to 2024, brings a proven track record to the Ducks. Under his guidance, the Oilers achieved a remarkable record of 79-41-13 in regular-season games and made two playoff appearances, including a run to the Western Conference finals. His previous experience also includes serving as an assistant coach at the San Jose Sharks, where he contributed to the team’s success under head coach Todd McLellan.

Alongside Woodcroft, the Ducks have added Ryan McGill and Andrew Brewer to the coaching staff as assistant coaches. McGill arrives with eight years of experience as an assistant coach for the New Jersey Devils and the Vegas Golden Knights. He is charged with managing the Ducks’ penalty kill, which ranked 29th in the league last season and has consistently performed poorly over the last three years. McGill’s tenure with the Devils last season saw them achieve a commendable second-ranked penalty kill with an 82.7% success rate.

Brewer, a former AHL assistant and video coach for the Florida Panthers during Joel Quenneville’s last full season, also joins the coaching squad. His role will complement the strategies that Woodcroft is expected to implement, especially in enhancing the Ducks’ power play, which had the worst success rate in the NHL at 11.8% last season. The Ducks have been plagued by poor power play performance, ranking in the bottom three for success in three of the last five seasons.

Returning to the coaching staff are Tim Army, who will continue as an assistant coach, and goaltending coach Peter Budaj. Their experience and continued presence within the organization are expected to help stabilize the team as they look to improve after several disappointing seasons.

The Ducks’ AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, has also strengthened its coaching approach by hiring Dave Manson and Michael Babcock as assistant coaches. Manson, who has over two decades of coaching experience, is notable for being the father of former Ducks defenseman Josh Manson. Babcock, at only 30 years old, is following in the footsteps of his father, former Ducks head coach Mike Babcock.

The coaching changes come in response to the Ducks’ struggles, as general manager Pat Verbeek made the decision to part ways with head coach Greg Cronin following the 2024 season. With Woodcroft now overseeing the power play and McGill managing the penalty kill, the Ducks are hoping for significant improvement in both areas this season.

As the Ducks head into this new chapter, they aim to revitalize a team that has seen little success in recent years. With Woodcroft’s success at creating effective power plays and McGill’s experience in penalty kill strategies, the organization hopes for a strong turnaround in performance on the ice.