Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
A better coach will no doubt get better results. But how much better with the same crew long term. GG got better results than Hartley over a season, with a similar lineup. Then they regressed. Peters looked like a “better coach” and he got results in one year. Next year, back to .500 under him. Ward took over and they improved, until the POs. This year they’ve settled back.
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The 14-15 team overachieved under Hartley, relying on 3rd period comebacks to secure a playoff spot. The next year the goaltending bubble burst, and the team fell back down to Earth. Hartley was just a so-so coach, but the team was still rebuilding and simply didn't have the horses needed to contend. He wore out his welcome here after 2 seasons.
GG was just a bad hire and so was Ward.
The problem with Ward's system is apparent, and has already been discussed at length in various threads. Too passive, too hesitant, slow breakouts, giving the opposition defense ample time to set up their formation, and requiring dump-and-chase for a roster that isn't suited to play dump-and-chase.