In a rare interview, Anaheim Ducks owner Henry Samueli discussed the need to provide GM Pat Verbeek with more financial flexibility, the decision to hire coach Joel Quenneville, and his desire to make the team a Stanley Cup contender moving forward, per Eric Stephens of The Athletic.
After seven consecutive seasons without making the playoffs (including a 35-37-10 record this year, Samueli said he wants a more competitive team moving forward. Samueli, 70, has owned the team for more than 20 years and oversaw the team’s 2007 Stanley Cup win. As Samueli put it, “That is the pressure we’re putting on both Pat and Joel. They know that the fans and the ownership expect to make the playoffs this (next) season. There’s a lot of pressure to put on a coach and a GM. But you got to do it.”
He added that the team has completed its rebuilding process and have reached the point where they’re looking to win. He said the team is now focused on becoming “perennial playoff contenders” and noted that they needed to experienced head coach to support with that goal. Enter Quenneville, who despite his baggage, comes with the second-most wins of any coach.
“And that was one of the main reasons for wanting to bring someone like a Joel Quenneville in, because we felt comfortable that he could take us from the end of a rebuild to the beginning of a playoff era.”
Samueli was also specifically asked about the optics of hiring someone with Quenneville’s history. He discussed the thorough investigation the team underwent and ultimately determined they were comfortable with Quenneville moving forward. As he said: “I fully respect people who have negative opinions or going to have negative comments. There’s a lot of people who are victims of abuse, and I have nothing but the most respect for them. We’ll listen and try to convince them that we really did go through a thorough process and that Joel really is a good person who happened to make a mistake. I feel comfortable that we can deal with the situation.”
Samueli acknowledged that success requires spending more, starting with the price tag of Quenneville’s salary. However, when asked if he would allow Verbeek to spend to the cap, Samueli said he has given his GM the flexibility to make the moves necessary to make the team a playoff contender. He added, “If it means signing big-name free agents, go for it. We told him going forward you will not be constrained by the budget.”