Quote:
Originally Posted by Infinit47
Could be a case of "I'm smarter than everyone".
Here is a telling stat for me, which supermat (I think) pulled up.
In his one successful North American pro year as a head coach he took over in the middle of the season from Claude Julien, who was promoted to the Canadians HC position. Here are their respective records.
Julien - 33-6-3-3
Ward. - 16-13-5-1
These are shockingly different records with what would seamingly be the same team. I don't know the context of player call-ups, injuries or anything else, but this is a large disparity.
I just don't see what in Ward's body of work make anyone in the Flames organization think he could be a good NHL head coach.
Blaming "the core" because someone with no meaningful history of success can't win is just plain foolish.
I think this reminds me of GG hockey because they both seem to play more to not lose than to win. It feels like players are coached with their major focus to be in not making mistakes.
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I agree with GioforPM that there have been a lot of contradictory, and even flat out wrong takes, with respect to Ward's coaching and systems.
However, there have also been plenty of accurate takes. And there are some real sources of concern, that shouldn't simply be swept away, just because there are also issues that aren't the fault of the coaches.
Jiri mentioned that he thought Ward would be a good communicator, but it appears that he hasn't been. I agree with Jiri, and was likewise surprised by that. Of all the things that Ward might or might not be, I figured communication would be one his strengths. But it hasn't been.
Another major source of concern for me refers to the bolded above - that much of what Ward is preaching comes down to playing not to lose. Gulutzan called it 50/50 hockey and it permeated everything he did. Ward seems to be following the same script. It is all about individual battles, support and numbers, and positioning. Maintaining 50/50 hockey. Playing safe. However,
1) it is boring as #### (just like with Gulutzan), and
2) it doesn't suit the Flames' roster
Ward seems like a great guy. He has a solid resume as an assistant coach. But he seems to be in over his head right now, and he is deploying a strategy that has little chance of success with the horses that he is running with.
And he appears to be becoming more and more desparate.