[News] UPD: Geoff Ward officially named the franchise's 20th head coach (2 year deal)

[Poe969]

I know its not a popular opinion and it'll make some people upset but man, next season looks like a perfect year to start a rebuild. The Flames aren't good enough. They have good players on good contracts (who would be amazing support players on great teams), they need to cut costs, there are a few teams like Buffalo who will be desperate for help and would probably overpay for help, there likely won't be ticket revenue next year anyway, if they build a team properly it should be a contender by the time the new arena opens, they'd be selling hope, they can probably get more picks at this year's draft which is deep....

It just makes so much sense to start a rebuild.

I'm fully expecting the Flames to trade away their first for a guy like Kumpner or whatever then overpay an older average at best UFA who does nothing and the team to be in even worse shape a year from now.

[Nelson]

I don’t know about Gallant. I get the feeling Seattle is Gallant’s destination.

I think Laviolette is Washington’s choice. And even if it’s Babcock, I understand Laviolette likes the USA.

But I think Boudreau would come to Calgary. My reason is his 31 thoughts interview. He sounded very eager to coach again and like he would go anywhere if he was offered the HC position.

I personally think Boudreau is an awesome coach.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by browna

Will wait for final judgement, but Friedman also has to stir up stories like this to get some radio appearances, even if he talks in circles and vaugely, so by no means is this anywhere near official.

This roster core responded early to players coach GG in the first year and made the playoffs. They tuned him out before the end of that season even with making the playoffs. He really shouldn't have made it through that second year because he had zero control of the room, stick throw regardless.

Peters was the right sort of older school approach that this team needs to get the extra out of players, proven by 82 games of top Western Conference play.

To go back with a players coach would be massive mistake and Ward may not last the season before the players tune him out...and by that time, turning off the music and taking away the soccer playing in practice will not do the trick to pull the team back to his control.

Agreed.

This is why a change to the core is required. Bringing Ward back, which I will hold my judgment on, really shouldn’t be a surprise all things considered. I will be disappointed though if at least one or two core pieces aren’t moved to change the room in a significant way.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by timbit

Some people are looking for a magician. Maybe it’s time to look at key player personnel, after 3 coaches in a relatively short time frame.

After all, the top players....they’re the ones that make the big bucks.

Ward was .612

I'm sure that's how Flames management look at it. They've tried several different coaches with several different approaches to the game with these guys. And they keep disappointing. Changing coaches again would send the message to the room that the players aren't the problem.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I'm sure that's how Flames management look at it. They've tried several different coaches with several different approaches to the game with these guys. And they keep disappointing. Changing coaches again would send the message to the room that the players aren't the problem.

The bottom line is the GM has to get it right. We have had these players for a few years now, and the team is still poorly constructed. If the players brought in don't meet expectations, or Ward can't get the job done we will still be debating the same issues.

[Geeoff]

Bruce Boudreau is out here begging for work. Just do it Flames!

[Lanny_McDonald]

What I am looking for in a coach is someone that uses the players he has to his advantage and uses their strengths, rather than imposing a system on them that plays to their weaknesses. This team proved to be a dominant team when it employed an up tempo transition focused game. They were the second best team in the league and hot on the tail of Tampa, another team that employs a similar game plan. But Peters decided during the all-star break to "get the team ready for playoff hockey" and changed to different move dump and chase oriented game, one the team has proven incapable of playing. He went away from what made the team successful to what made it a middling loser.

What I want in a coach is someone who can adapt. Adaptation is not making changes just for the sake of making changes. Adaptation is about being able to see how teams are playing against you and then taking advantage of the weaknesses in their systems. A great example is the Stars series. Dallas knew the Flames played with faces and asses pinned against the boards. Everything the Flames do starts and ends on the wall. So the Stars took that away. They pinched down on the wall and they took the boards away. This left the middle of the ice wide open, but the Flames never adapted to take advantage of that. Brutal coaching and a reason why the Flames are easy pickings. They have not been adaptable since... I actually can't remember when. Bob Hartley was fairly adaptable, but you might have to go back to Crisp or Johnson. This is a major weakness that has been the hallmark of Flames coaching. We play one way, and hope we can work harder than the other team. It is application of a blunt instrument when a scalpel is the more appropriate tool. I want to see someone guiding this team that recognizes how to use both, and when to use them.

Ward is not the guy.

[Buff]

I would like to post a question, or a series of questions.

Did everybody here who are upset that Geoff Ward could be the Head Coach, do you think coaching is why the core didn't elevate their play and have playoff success?

Is Johnny's poor season on Johnny or on the coaching?

Is Monahan not being a more dominant game changer on Monahan or coaching?

Is Giordano not looking like a Norris winner in the playoffd on Giordano or coaching?

Many people have said that they've made coaching changes and now it's time to change the players. Do you agree? Would you be willing to give Ward a try if one or two (or more) members of the core were traded for newer core pieces?

I don't keep track of most people's personal opinions and I'd like to know if the people unhappy with the likely prospect of Ward being the coach believe that coaching is the issue, players are the issue, or both is the issue?

I'd like to say this. With the economy the way it is and the chances of not having ticket revenue next year, it shouldn't surprise us if Treliving isn't allowed to hire an expensive coach when the one right in front of you showed promise in the regular season. It does worry me that they're won't be huge upgrades for the on ice product either if they can't increase payroll.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Itse

It's not like Boudreau is likely to be desperate for a job. He's a 65-year old millionaire and can afford to just say no to everyone if there's not a good enough offer. Especially given how uncertain everything is around the league, it might be years before the Flames or anyone could offer him the kind of salaries he's used to, especially given that he likely wants a multi-year contract.

I think the general level of uncertainty about just about everything in the league might also be a why top coaches might be even less willing than normal to take a paycut. Nobody even knows exactly what the next season is going to be like. If there's going to be a lot of isolation involved, guys who are enjoying their time off might think they'd need be payed extra to get back into it right now.

In general I think in this situation going with Ward makes a lot of sense. Next season is going to be difficult and strange. Salary cuts and budget cuts are going to raise tensions and lower the spirits, I think that's inevitable, and there might be a lot of unusual situations to deal with. Having a head coach who already knows the team and who seems to be well respected and well liked makes sense to me.

It's also very likely that paying top dollar to a top coach would require making deep cuts into something else, and that difference might not be worth it. For Treliving the choice might not be between Ward or a different coach, it might be between Ward+additional scouts or a different coach.


And yeah, as I already said in another thread, I don't think Ward is bad, I actually think he's pretty good. In normal circumstances I would be disappointed with the Flames going with Ward, but these are not normal circumstances.

In the situation the team is in, I think Ward is probably a good choice.

You obviously have not been paying attention to what Boudreau has said recently. He wants to get back in the game desperately, preferably as a HC but when asked if he would consider an assistant coach job with the Leafs he said he would definitely if they came calling but he wants to see how the HC positions shake out first. The guy has a lot of money, I think he would leave dollars on the table to come coach here. Given the makeup of this team hiring Boudreau to me is a no brainer smart move which is exactly why I doubt it will happen with the history of this organization.

[Aarongavey]

Maybe they are trying to Ward off success?

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Buff

Did everybody here who are upset that Geoff Ward could be the Head Coach, do you think coaching is why the core didn't elevate their play and have playoff success?

A bit of both.

Is Johnny's poor season on Johnny or on the coaching?

Coaching. This play along the boards dump and chase game is not suited to the manpower this team has at its disposal. Gaudreau is not a horse you put on a plow. You can go up and down this lineup and the same condition applies. The coaches have not implemented systems that use the strength of the players and is instead making them rely on the weakest components of their individual games.

Is Monahan not being a more dominant game changer on Monahan or coaching?

This is just a stupid loaded question. Sorry, just gotta call it out. Monahan has never had the tools to be a dominant game changer, and anyone who thought he did was an idiot. Monahan is a very good center, but a complimentary piece. He doesn't have the puck skills or the speed to be that dominant game changer that people demand of him. What he is capable of is being a solid centerman who is a finisher. Use him that way and you have a great player. Expect him to be Connor McHobo or Nathan Mc####face and you're setting yourself up for failure.

Is Giordano not looking like a Norris winner in the playoffd on Giordano or coaching?

Both. Giordano looks like he took a step backward. That may be a result of not being able to train appropriately during the COVID stoppage, or it could be father time catching up to him. On the other side of the coin, the system employed did Gio no favors, as did the amount of ice time he received. Ward showed he was incapable of adapting and that hurt the players as well.

Many people have said that they've made coaching changes and now it's time to change the players. Do you agree? Would you be willing to give Ward a try if one or two (or more) members of the core were traded for newer core pieces?

Both. This is not a binary decision. I don't know why you think this is an either or situation. This is a both situation. The coach has be good at his job, and a large part of that adaptability. The players have to be able to execute their roles, but a large percentage of that is the coach implementing systems that leverage their strengths and minimize their weaknesses. I would not give Ward a chance as I have not seen any level of adaptability from him or ability to use his players by implementing a system that works to their strengths. I am more than willing to see players moved. They are widgets, nothing more than a cog in the machine. If one doesn't work replace it with another. The important thing is the coach recognizes the widgets he has to work with and implements a design that gets the most out of the pieces. It is a symbiotic relationship.

[cannon7]

Flames need a coach who isn't afraid to split up Gaudreau and Monahan. Can force the coach's hand if they're on different teams.

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by zamler

So why try to be the best, too hard.

The point is even trying to be the best is no guarantee, and what is going to make a team the best is a variety of factors, and different every year.

Big. Truculent. Intimidating. Fast. Skilled. Things change over each year.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by cannon7

Flames need a coach who isn't afraid to split up Gaudreau and Monahan. Can force the coach's hand if they're on different teams.

Ward did this

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by TOfan

Ward did this

...and stuck Gaudreau with Lucic

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Toonage

...and stuck Gaudreau with Lucic

Haha, yes, of course. What idiots the Flames are, right? Really doesn’t matter what they do.

[Toonage]

Making a poorly constructed line just for the sake of making a change without addressing the system play isn't the smartest thing to do but I get your sarcasm.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by cannon7

Flames need a coach who isn't afraid to split up Gaudreau and Monahan. Can force the coach's hand if they're on different teams.

Sure but splitting them up doesn’t accomplish much with how the team is made up. Teams aren’t game planning around how to stop Sean Monahan and his 22 goals from last season.

I’m good with a trade but skeptical as to how it improves the talent deficit. Maybe we’ll start out grinding everyone.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Toonage

...and stuck Gaudreau with Lucic

Because the GM stuck his coach(s) with Lucic. Where else could he play? He is not ever going to play on the right side of the 2nd line as he is not a defensively minded player...the 2nd line generates almost all there opportunities from playing good defense first. It puts ANY coach in an impossible situation.

It is an abysmal situation that there is no getting out of, and yes i thought ML was awesome at times during the playoffs.

That doesn't mean a thing as he gets older and slower (if that is even possible) and is still a staple on this roster for another 3 years though. His contract being part of this roster means every other part of it has to take a hit to varying degrees. Franchise altering stuff. You just cant carry that kind of dead weight and not see its effect elsewhere in being able to upgrade where needed.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by cannon7

Flames need a coach who isn't afraid to split up Gaudreau and Monahan. Can force the coach's hand if they're on different teams.

I think Johnny should be used further down the line up this way he is paired against players who can't defend him as easily. If the Flames are serious about using talent throughout the line up this would be a good move. Top line needs to be structured for playoff hockey; Guys with stamina who can play a physically dominating game including dump and chade. Johnny and Monahan have the offensive ability during the season, but can hardly challenge, wear down other top lines during a playoff series.