Ducks’ Carlyle extends contract

Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle heard the rumors that his job was in jeopardy while the team endured a shaky start.

“There are peaks and valleys in every season and there are always comments about the job a coach does,” he said. “If you’re going to remove one person it’s easiest to remove the coach. It’s happened to me as a coach before.”

Instead of being fired, Carlyle on Tuesday signed a one-year contract extension through the 2011-12 season, matching the duration of General Manager Bob Murray’s contract. David McNab, the team’s senior vice president of hockey operations and an original member of the organization, also got a one-year extension through 2011-12 to continue duties that include being the resident salary cap expert and sometime scout.

Carlyle, 54, has compiled a 235-152-56 record and .594 winning percentage since the 2005-06 season. The Ducks won the Stanley Cup in 2007 and have missed the playoffs only once during his tenure, falling short last season.

However, his caustic manner and hard-driving style seemed to be wearing thin as players repeatedly committed undisciplined penalties and stumbled around their defensive zone. He has learned to adjust the delivery of his message, he said, and the Ducks have improved.

Their 16-13-4 record -- which includes wins in six of their last 10 games -- puts them sixth in the West, though they have played more games than any conference rivals.

The extensions had been in the works before the season began, and Murray said by phone Tuesday he never considered halting the process or dismissing Carlyle during the depths of the Ducks’ struggles.

“I don’t look at it as this season. I look at it as over the five, six years he’s been here,” Murray said. “I think he’s done a hell of a job.”

Murray said the team “battled back very hard from a tough start. I’m happy considering our schedule and considering our injuries. We’re in a decent place.”

Murray said McNab has been “invaluable to me” for his various roles. “Sometimes people get lost in the shuffle here and David never gets recognition. I think that’s wrong,” Murray said.

Carlyle, in Washington to prepare the team for Wednesday’s game against the Capitals, said he didn’t allow speculation about his job security to affect his concentration.

“The way I look at it is the only thing I can control is preparing the team on a day-to-day basis and provide leadership,” he said. “I think we understand much better at this point, much better than a month ago, how we have to play in order to succeed.”

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helene.elliott@latimes.com

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