I really don't know. Nothing really changed after he took over. The team was lights out the year before in the regular season, then the same team looked kind of bleh under the same head coach, and then Ward this season. That makes me think that coaching is not the issue.
Ward was an assistant coach with a lot of longevity on successful teams in the past, so I think it's safe to say that he is a good assistant at the very least. He strikes me as a guy that players like, which is good for an assistant coach. He is probably a good teacher. I am not sure if he is a good motivator though. It's hard to judge based on the pretty small sample size.
If the Flames could get someone like Laviollette or Gallant, then go for it. If they are destined to find a bargain bin coach, then go with Ward and give him a chance. Either way, it wouldn't be the worst idea to keep him as an assistant at least.
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"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
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