With the recent 20% cuts in salaries to staff, it is less surprising the Flames are considering Ward. With the possibility of no ticket revenue next season, Treliving may have a tight coaching budget and Ward might be the best choice within that budget.
Ward wasn't my top choice, maybe not even top 5; but I have a hard time calling it a poor choice. After Ward took over as head coach, the Flames went 25-15-3, which is the 8th best record in the NHL (4th in West, 2nd in Pacific). We were 10th in goals per game, 3rd in PP%. He also led us to a series win over the Jets and had us in a position where we should have ousted the Stars.
We also can't discount the fact that people learn through mistakes and you have to think that was discussed by management and Ward
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