Quote:
Originally Posted by kehatch
Brodie was more Playfair then anyone. Baertschi didn't spend a lot of time under Ward. Breen and Horak still aren't NHL caliber players. Ward's feather in the cap players were projects like Ferland and Howse. Howse is retired and Ferland isn't doing all that well this season. The only Ward graduate that is doing well is Bouma. And he is a grinder.
Meanwhile players like Irving, Nemisz, and Horak seem to be burning out under him. This season guys like Cundari, Granlund, Ferland, Ramage, Wotherpoon, etc aren't doing all that well. Some of the grinder type players like Hanowski, Knight, and Reinhart are doing well.
I am not anti-Ward. But I think he developed a great reputation with this board last season that isn't backed up by the successful development of players. Especially skill players. He seems to favor the grinders. He seems to favor veterans. He seems to prioritize winning over development at times.
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You can't include guys like Ferland, Granlund, Ramage and Wotherspoon who are literally a handful of games into pro NA hockey. Moreover, I thought Ramage WAS doing well.
I think you would find that most AHL teams have veterans carrying some of the mail - in fact the Flames are the youngest team in the league are they not?
For me - this is just a case where people are looking to assign blame and Ward is the obvious target. But it baffles me that someone can blame Ward for guys like Wahl and Howse busting out considering where they are now in their careers and the clear indications that they simply aren't willing to do what is required to be a pro.
Ultimately its on the player.