Quote:
Originally Posted by FlameZilla
PMM & Drury: what is the key to Granlund's success this season? He must be in contention for AHL rookie of the year...
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He's damn good. Like PMM said, it seems to be all him. He has a natural ability. We have a diamond here that we need to polish up a little.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RFP
I disagree if Swen does anything it is because of HIM not Ward. Ward is basically the gate keeper, players a lot of time will only get as good as the Coach lets them. He sets the ice time, play situations and line mates....all of which can make you look like a star or a heal!!!!  |
Absolutely not. Sven has shown numerous times that his maturity and mental toughness is not in a place where it is him alone that can turn things around. He needs an external factor, a kick in the ass in order to get anything done. Ward has been that kick and obviously knows what he's doing as since the arrival of Locke and putting him with Sven, his game as improved 1000%. And yes, the Coach sets the ice time and linemates. Again, if Ward put Baertschi with let's say Granlund and Reinhart, he would have looked like a fool. Both are playing far above his abilities and he would have been thrown under a bus for his lower level of play. Instead, Ward found someone more complimentary in Jooris and Locke and now Baertschi's game is looking alot better. And Ward is putting him in appropriate situations for ice time. He could put him on the PK, let him get lit up because his defensive skills aren't the best and absolutely crush him. But he's not. He gets 2nd unit PP time and chances to show where he can excel.
In this case, this is not Sven turning things around. This is Ward giving Sven the tools to be successful because he couldn't find them on his own. Ward deserves alot of credit. As does Locke.