According to Sportsnet Hockey insider Elliotte Friedman, the Ducks are interested in Clune to fill a spot on the team's bench. Clune, currently an assistant coach with the Leafs AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, is expected to be in a similar role on Anaheim's bench, according to Friedman.
Clune, just 37 years old, was a pro veteran, playing five seasons in the NHL with the Nashville Predators, Los Angeles Kings & Toronto Maple Leafs. Clune was also a longtime AHL veteran, known as a strong locker room presence among teammates in his playing days.
Clune had 7 goals, 15 assists & 22 points in 139 NHL games. An enforcer, Clune had 327 penalty minutes in his career, including 166 in 2013-14 for Nashville, fourth-best leaguewide that year.
Clune has been apart of the Leafs staff since his retirement in 2022. Clune has been a development coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs since then, as well as named an assistant for the Marlies this past season.
Headed by Greg Cronin into his second season as an NHL head coach with the Ducks, Anaheim has a hole in their coaching staff led after letting go of assistant Newell Brown, who later signed with the Los Angeles Kings in the same role.
POLL | ||
19 JUIN | 237 ANSWERS Anaheim Ducks eyeing Toronto coach and former NHLer Rich Clune for promotion Would Rich Clune be a good coaching hire by the Anaheim Ducks? | ||
Yes | 177 | 74.7 % |
No | 60 | 25.3 % |
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