Wilson Wins Job Security

Ron Wilson knows something about close.

One agonizing point out of the playoffs. A mere two points from home-ice advantage.

But how far from a pink slip back in January? Only a few people know for sure.

“Apparently, they were going to fire us and they changed their minds,” Wilson said before he gathered the Mighty Ducks for a final meeting Monday, the day after their season ended when their dramatic 12-3-2 run left them a sliver shy of the playoffs.

“They told us after the fact,” Wilson said. “People decided they were being emotional about it and not logical.”

General Manager Jack Ferreira, faced with questions about how close he came to naming Wilson the first ex-Ducks’ coach, smiled the smile of someone who has gambled and won.

“You’ll never know,” he said. “It’s all water under the bridge now. There’s nothing shaky now.”

Down the stretch, Wilson was perfectly composed at the helm of a determined team that was firing on all cylinders, playing near the peak of its considerable potential.

Earlier in the season, he was an edgy excuse-maker on the brink of losing his first head coaching job.

If the Ducks had made the playoffs, Wilson would have gotten votes for NHL coach of the year.

If Ferreira hadn’t traded for Teemu Selanne, maybe the NHL record for coaching changes during a season would be nine, not eight.

Instead, Ferreira said Monday he’ll talk with Wilson soon about another contract extension through the end of the 1997-98 season.

“I’d like to be held up as an example of sticking with people,” Wilson said. “All I ever prayed for was to have the opportunity to have this team as it grew and got more talented. With the moves Jack was able to make, we didn’t have to wait two or three years for our players to develop. We made ourselves very competitive.”

Ferreira’s trades, of course, were crucial, and it wasn’t just the Selanne deal. If there’s anyone with the Ducks who had as good a year as Paul Kariya did, it was Ferreira.

Much has been made of Wilson’s contract status, but incredibly, Ferreira is still waiting for his long-overdue extension. Team president Tony Tavares said he is discussing a new deal with Ferreira, who insisted that even though his original contract expires this year, “I’m not worried.”

Wilson’s roughest patch this season came in December, a month when the Ducks had injury trouble and won only four games.

“Going through that slump, he felt the pressure as well as everybody else,” winger Garry Valk said. “It got to the point where one mistake could cost us the game.

“I can remember a few meetings early on or when we were in our torrid slump at mid-year, when he didn’t know if he’d be around tomorrow. None of the guys wanted to see him go. I’m happy Jack made some very important deals to help us out.

“Ron’s really the type of coach this team needs. He was so relaxed in the stretch run. We came to play every night. The effort was never a question. It was good to see him finish the year strong. Hopefully, they’ll redo his contract.”

Long before the stretch run, a 7-1 loss to the Kings Dec. 27 at the Forum sent management into orbit.

“Our whole organization has used too many excuses,” said Tavares, particularly peeved by Wilson’s public criticism of his players.

Even the more laconic Ferreira said, “We’re not kidding ourselves. There’s problems.”

There were soured player relations. Rifts developed between Wilson and Bob Corkum, Todd Krygier and Oleg Tverdovsky, now all former Ducks. Wilson also had a strained relationship with goalie Guy Hebert.

“A few times I said things I shouldn’t have, but I have to live with that,” Wilson said.

Wilson lost confidence in Hebert and criticized his play, hoping to get him going. Hebert lost his confidence, falling into a downward spiral he broke out of only in the final month or so.

“Ron’s job was hanging out there, and Guy was under pressure too,” said Brian Cook, Hebert’s agent. “I said to them both, ‘You’ve both been here from the beginning. You should be in this together.’ ”

After a long meeting in March, Hebert and Wilson were on the same page again, and the Ducks soon began their stretch drive.

“I think he learned that players don’t like to read him saying negative things in the papers,” Valk said. “He learned that players respect him keeping it more in the dressing room. I think he turned around his attitude. You never saw that the last two months.

“Now Ron’s really good at keeping everybody loose but sharp. He’s the first to criticize, but he’s also the first to pat you on the back. That’s unique for hockey coaches in this league.”

Wilson’s father, Larry, spent his life in the game, but only made it behind an NHL bench for a brief stint in Detroit. The past month might be an indication Wilson is in the league for a career, not a visit.

The one-year extension he signed this season--a vote-of-confidence contract at the time--includes a clause that allows him to speak to other teams if the Ducks don’t come through with the extra year this summer.

With the Vancouver job probably available, he might have leverage as a favorite of General Manager Pat Quinn, though Wilson said he hasn’t talked to the Canucks “except to wish them luck” in the playoffs.

What he wants, he said, is to stay in Anaheim.

“I hope everything works out,” Wilson said. “If they don’t give me an extension, I can explore my options. I’m a loyal person, but I’d almost have to see what the climate was.. . . You’ve got to look out for yourself. Who else is going to? That’s certainly something I learned the last three weeks. You can’t wait for somebody else to help you.”