[bax]

Ward took over in the middle of a chaotic season where Brodie collapsed on the ice during practice, the team was thrown into a whirlwind of drama due to a racist coach, and a global pandemic paused the entire season and he still had them playing pretty good hockey. It would have been all too easy for the players to pack it in.

Ward had the team motivated and playing for each other. It's well documented that the players loved him for his communication and teaching style, while implementing ownership in the teams systems and individual development. For the first time since Hartley the team seemed to have some self belief.

He is still a rookie head coach so he isn't perfect, but I think he will only get better with more experience. Like Scorp said, the big names didn't start out as big names. Even then he does have a cup to his name and runs a really strong powerplay.

I think he can be a great coach in this league. On the scale of coaches his style is much more Jon Cooper than he is John Tortorella. Communication, teaching, empowerment, and ownership. He has a really good formula, it's just a matter of putting it all together.

It makes sense to bring him back just to bring some stability to the team after that crazy season. Everyone will know what to expect right from the hop. More time to implement any system changes that he may want to as well.

And I won't be mad if his presence helps lure in Taylor Hall.