Should/Will the Flames keep Ward

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

If this is what you meant, then you probably should have taken better care with how you expressed yourself. I am incapable of reading your mind.

[/I]
And again, your usage of language here is sloppy. A MAJORITY of teams makes the playoffs every year, which is distinctly different from the same majority from one year to the next. Regardless of the fact that one more team in the West plays in the playoffs than those that miss, the simple truth is that it is always going to be more difficult to be one of those teams than not. And this is why, while the expression is mathematically true, it is false in practice.

[/I]
Without knowing specifically what the philosophy is, I don't believe any applied to the CFL would be applicable in the NHL because of how dramatically different the talent pool and the rules of player acquisition are. Do you honestly feel that success in the NHL boils down to doing what Hufnagel does? Come on.

Come on tone it down a little. You don’t have to read my mind, just be a little courteous.

Proclaiming someone’s opinion as “laughable”when they suggest the Flames could maybe learn something? Where did I say NHL success “boils down to doing what Hufnagel does”?

Mathematically true but false in practice? I have no idea what that means so maybe the simple truths you espouse are not as evident as you think.

It’s commendable that you are so passionate in defense of the organization in all circumstances but does it have to come attached to such condescension?

[Stanley]

Not necessarily the asnwer but I'd love to see what Boudreau could do with our offense

[David Struch]

We could do a lot worse than Geoff Ward, I just feel it's just more of the same if we keep him. This would be the players third season hearing his same message.

(And the seventh year of Ryan Huska in the Flames organization.)

[Bingo]

I imagine it's a tough call for Treliving.

If he brings back Ward he pretty much has to change the core (clearly doesn't have to but it would be a harder case to sell).

With the team stuck in an bubble phase it has to be alter the coaching, alter the team or ... I guess get a big fish goaltender.

Getting a different coach takes a lot of the pressure off of forced change, and may be the way he's leaning.

Now will a big name coach come to Calgary?

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Now will a big name coach come to Calgary?

That's a question only the GM knows. There haven't been any leaks that the Flames have interviewed or talked to anyone as far as I know. I have to think he would at the very least talk to other candidates even if he's leaning to keeping Ward.

[timbit]

Originally Posted by David Struch

We could do a lot worse than Geoff Ward, I just feel it's just more of the same if we keep him. This would be the players third season hearing his same message.

There is a major difference/ contrast in types and strengths of communication and messaging to the players, when it comes from the HC as opposed to the AC.

The AC does not decide or have the final say on individual player ice time nor whether he will play. His opinion will most certainly be considered, however.

The HC is the final decision maker, across the board...strategically, motivationally, tactically, PP, PK etc. The AC’s role is to carry out the HC’s mandate , in his own words and actions with the players, while nurturing a more individually friendly yet still strong instructional relationship with the players.


The HC has a very close business relationship with the GM. In general, the AC does not. It is very much tier structured, as in most businesses and their subsequent relationships.

To state that “ This would be the players third season hearing his same message.” is misleading and incorrect.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I imagine it's a tough call for Treliving.

If he brings back Ward he pretty much has to change the core (clearly doesn't have to but it would be a harder case to sell).

With the team stuck in an bubble phase it has to be alter the coaching, alter the team or ... I guess get a big fish goaltender.

Getting a different coach takes a lot of the pressure off of forced change, and may be the way he's leaning.

Now will a big name coach come to Calgary?

He should be doing both. The team needs a shakeup and they need an elite coach behind the bench. Not sure why one change would have to limit the other.

As far as attracting talent, the Flames do what any organization in any sector would do. You make a case to the candidate and you incentivize them with a healthy salary, bonuses, etc. Last I checked there were only 31 head coach positions in the NHL and its a role with pretty limited job security.. its an employers market. If the Flames can't attract a coach with a track record there are deeper issues in the organization.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I imagine it's a tough call for Treliving.

If he brings back Ward he pretty much has to change the core (clearly doesn't have to but it would be a harder case to sell).

With the team stuck in an bubble phase it has to be alter the coaching, alter the team or ... I guess get a big fish goaltender.

Getting a different coach takes a lot of the pressure off of forced change, and may be the way he's leaning.

Now will a big name coach come to Calgary?

With how long it is taking and how quiet things have been it does feel like Treliving might be trying to exhaust options of replacement before settling on a decision about Ward. I could see Ward as "Plan B", and the GM working to negotiate a deal with a preferred coach before pulling the trigger on what to do with the interim coach.

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[Flash Walken]

The flames could be waiting for availability in another organization that has yet to conclude their playoff series.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Igottago

He should be doing both. The team needs a shakeup and they need an elite coach behind the bench. Not sure why one change would have to limit the other...

And there is a precedent for this. The same year that Treliving replaced Gulutzan with Peters was easily his most active off-season as a GM. He also added Hanifin and Lindholm in a core-altering trade, and signed Ryan, Czarnik and Neal as UFAs. It seems like a good bet to me that we see similar activity in the coming months.

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[Jiggy]

I wonder if one of the coaches available will come in as an Associate Coach.

[VladtheImpaler]

Well, Boudreau said he will go anywhere.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

With how long it is taking and how quiet things have been it does feel like Treliving might be trying to exhaust options of replacement before settling on a decision about Ward. I could see Ward as "Plan B", and the GM working to negotiate a deal with a preferred coach before pulling the trigger on what to do with the interim coach.

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Yeah I was thinking this would be quicker if Ward was just retained as the head coach.

I wonder if they are in talks with a new coach with bringing Ward back as an associate.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Yeah I was thinking this would be quicker if Ward was just retained as the head coach.

I wonder if they are in talks with a new coach with bringing Ward back as an associate.

Do we know what Wards contract situation is?

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Do we know what Wards contract situation is?

Would assume he was on a three year deal that lined up with the Peters hiring, so one year to go.

They gave him a bump in pay when he took over the head reigns, but I'd assume that was for the rest of the season only.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Yeah I was thinking this would be quicker if Ward was just retained as the head coach.



I wonder if they are in talks with a new coach with bringing Ward back as an associate.

I would guess this is what they would prefer to do, but I also think it is smart to retain the option of promoting Ward to the HC in the event they can't get the guy they want.

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[dammage79]

Gotta think the coaching thing gets Ironed out PDQ here. Like next week ish. Sounded like they were close this week.

On thing I have been thinking about too is how the roster movement could have an effect on a new coaching hire.

Maybe its taking a while working through what a new coach would be okay with walking into and who they can can work.without. on top of managments preference of player deployment like Bennett at center etc.

Some weeds to.work.through I suppose.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Would assume he was on a three year deal that lined up with the Peters hiring, so one year to go.

They gave him a bump in pay when he took over the head reigns, but I'd assume that was for the rest of the season only.

Ok, I was wondering if maybe Wars was without a contract and part of the holdup was him looking around as well, but if he's under contract and the flames haven't made an announcement yet it's a bit more awkward.

Was it Keenan that the flames hired without letting him pick his assistants? I think that's weird.

Have to believe a new head coach coming in here with an existing group of assistants might be a sticking point but I don't actually know how common or uncommon that is.

[Crown Royal]

I also think the Flames really want to retain Ward and Huska as well, they may be negotiating to keep them on as assistants, which could be difficult as many coaches have their guys that they like to bring along. For example Gallant brought Mike Kelly from Florida to Vegas. Boudreau had Dean Evason in Washington and Minnesota; after the Caps he brought Bob Woods to both Anaheim and Minnesota.

[Badgers Nose]

I voted 'They shouldn't, but they will' only because there wasn't a 'They shouldn't keep him as HC and the new HC should decide if Ward stays as part of the Coaching Staff."

IMO keeping him on staff helps with continuity. That's probably less of an issue if Flames hire a world-class coach with instant credibility who commands instant buy in from the players.

I'm not holding my breath for that though, so whatever next big thing or washout they pull out of a dumpster to coach the Flames will probably benefit from that continuity.

It's why I flip flop on this core - an elite coach is the one thing they haven't benefited from on this team. This core is the product of our awesome rebuild, I'd like to see a great coach get everything out of them before people part ways.