Here's why I think Geoff Ward is terrible coach and needs to go.
Preparation - This is a consistent problem for this team since he's taken over. The team consistently plays like crap in the first period. They rarely appear ready to play. They rarely look like they have an idea what the opposition is going to throw at them or how to exploit the weaknesses of the system they are going to face. This is the responsibility of the coaching staff, to prepare the team and inform them of what tendencies the opposition will rely upon and best strategies to defeat those systems. The consistent poor performances in the first period and the inability to attack out of the gate is clearly on the coaching staff, and the lack of preparation of the team.
Motivation - Much of motivation is internal and driven from within each player. Coaches are there to help players self-motivate. Whether that is through goal setting, positive affirmation, or visualization exercises, coaches play a big role in helping players keep motivated, especially when they are struggling. When motivation fails so does confidence. A poorly motivated player or team is unlikely to reach and maintain any level of confidence and then success. The lack of consistent play to open games is a sign of lack of confidence and motivation. While the players do shoulder much of the burden when it comes to motivation, preparation and coaching sessions greatly impact this area and are easy to identify as systemic weaknesses when all players suffer the same challenges.
Team/social identity - Coaches are responsible for team and social identity of the collective and building the team up so they will play for each other. Strong teams leverage the strengths of all performers and then shelter each other's weaknesses. Coaches should build systems that fit the talent on the team, not try and implement systems beyond the performance level of the talent available. This is not happening. This team does not seem like a "team" but more a collective of individuals, which is a coaching problem. These guys need to learn to play for each other if they ever want to taste some success. Tkachuk is right that these guys need to rally around each other and fight for each other like you would for a family member. The team is lacking that identity because the players are not being deployed to their strengths to build and maintain that team identity. The coaches are so entrenched in what they know and believe they are not even bothering to look at what resources they have to work with and building a systemic approach that will lead each player to success.
Systems - As stated above coaches define and implement the systems. These should be done to leverage the talent available and match the strengths and abilities of the players. This is where Ward and company fall on their faces. This team has players that excel off the rush and can transition the puck quickly when given opportunity. But the systems in place restrict the creativity and fast break mentality so many of the players excel at. Since taking over this team has adopted a move the puck backwards mentality. They no longer press the puck forward trying to get the puck to the net, they instead move the puck backwards to the defensemen and start the rush from deep in their own zone. All this does is allow the opposition to get into their defensive coverage and make the job harder for the Flames as they try to press forward.
A disturbing development is the puck seems to have to be moved back and forth between the defensemen multiple times before a rush can be initiated. The defensemen retreat to their own end and usually behind the goal line to try and setup. This allows the opposition to get in and forecheck the Flames into submission because they only rely on a single breakout strategy. The breakout is off the boards and does nothing to build speed. It is a grinding mucker's system that is not suited to the skill level on the team.
If the Flames get into the offensive zone they spend the time ringing the boards and not generating much. Again, much of the puck movement is above the circles in an area where turnovers happen with regularity and in dangerous situations. The high danger area is not used with any regularity and players rarely try and penetrate it with the puck. The movement is around the perimeter, back to the point, and then hopefully a gap opens up where the players follow the puck into the high danger areas. Instead of pressing the puck to those areas using the forwards, the defensemen drive the play. Just a bad strategy and horrible use of talent available.
Special teams - Coaches are responsible for special teams and making appropriate adjustments. If something isn't working, or the opposition has clued in on what you are doing, go to Plan B. The problem is this team doesn't have a Plan B. They have one trick, and when that trick is figured out they are pretty much done.
Adjustment - Coaches are wholly responsible for in game adjustments. That is why they are there. If they are not going to "coach" and make the appropriate adjustments that leads to success, why the hell are they there?
Lineup assignments - This is all on the coaches and primarily Geoff Ward. He needs to find the secret sauce and make it work. But he has no clue. He comes up with his game plan, assigns players, and then just rolls the lines.
Decision making - This is Ward's greatest weakness. His decision making of when to play certain lines is insanely bad. A goal is scored, time to throw out your worst and slowest line. Have last change and the opposition put out their best line, respond with your slowest group of five players. Have an opportunity to leverage a man advantage, send out one of your least skilled players. There are players that should be getting eight minutes a night, yet they seem to get more than their fair share of ice time. That is on Ward and no one else. His deployment of talent is atrocious.
If a coach is bad at one of these things you can accept that. But when a coach is not good at all of these things he is the wrong fit for this level. Geoff Ward is a really nice guy and probably a coach the players love to play for. But his approach and systems are not at the NHL level. This team would be so much better if they had a coach who would coach to the talent available instead of making them play a game not suited t their skills. If the Flames want to see an immediate improvement, replace Ward with a coach with a history of winning in the NHL.
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