Did he only sign a 2 year contract? Next season could be it if he did. There was a lot going against him this year (first year head coach, 2 key hold outs, tons of injuries, trading a key player for a guy that will play maybe 1 game this year, etc.) plus overcoming all the bad habits instilled by the previous coaching staff and the holdovers from that staff too. Hopefully Verbeek lets him clean house of any assistant coach(es) that he doesn't want and have his guys or better guys at least. I think Verbeek might give him one more after next year, but if they're still bottom of the league, that'll be it for him.
We actually don't know how long a contract Cronin signed. I think many of us wondered about it, but nothing came up. CapFriendly has term "unknown". (
Source)
Aside from being a first time head coach, the injuries, players traded, holdouts, etc... all happen to other head coaches. Plus, Cronin's been an assistant head coach before. None of the situations that has happened to him hasn't happened to him before as an assistant coach in the NHL. Cronin isn't a spring chicken to the NHL or NHL coaching community. Also, Cronin's been a head coach at the NCAA, CHL, and AHL levels.
- Cronin: assistant coach in NHL
- 2011-2014 with Toronto Maple Leafs
There maybe some bad habits under Eakins, but low energy compete level, high amounts of penalties, not good results in 1-goal games, and not getting shutout often are all new habits created under Cronin. The odd part is that Cronin is using the same man-defense, which means it should be easier to fix those mistakes, right? Nope.
As for assistant coaches, there was only one holdover in PP assistant coach Brown. PK/def. coach Thompson and Assistant goalie coach David Rook are new to the org.
I don't think Cronin's a good development coach, but I think if he's given a more veteran, laden roster that's talented, then that might fit his style.