This core has a long history of inconsistent efforts and not starting games on time. There are major issues with the leadership group and the core of this team.
That being said Ward is exacerbating these issues. This is a team that looks like they are confused and unsure about what they are supposed to be doing out on the ice. It appears as if they are playing different systems on different days, most games they just fall back and play protect the net and then dump the puck into the neutral and offensive zones, other games they play a more aggressive puck pursuit style of play.
Last season Ward's best attribute seemed to be his communication, this season, looking in from the outside that seems to have gone away.
The lineup choices are beyond odd, scratching Bennett and not telling him why, scratching Nesterov in the middle of three game winning streak, scratching Leivo just as his game is starting to turn a corner. Burying your top line (Tkachuk/Lindholm) in defensive zone starts all season. Dressing guys like Rinaldo and Robinson and playing them under 5 mins.
This has other issues than the coach that is for certain, but the biggest issue right now is Ward. I didn't like the way he coached last season and in the return to play and I like the way he is coaching now even less. He maybe the worst coach I have seen coach this team in recent memory.
If this team does make the playoffs it will be squarely on the back of Markstrom.
|