Quote:
Originally Posted by SwedishMeatballs1990
Joel Ward is not a top 6 forward. I don't understand why you would even want to try. He's a great 4th liner and good 3rd liner (if that 3rd line is a checking line).
The difference between Ward and guys like Brouwer and Knuble, who have somewhat similar skill sets (and I imagine that's what you'd want Ward to play like), is that Ward has no offensive IQ, and doesn't make plays at all. At least Brouwer and Knuble, although somewhat slow and not all that skilled, can make plays if needed because they are much smarter than a player like Ward. When Ward gets the puck in transition or on the rush, he kills the play, and you can't have that because that's how you have to play now (see SCF) and that sounds like how Oates wants to play.
Look at NJ last year. 3 scoring lines and 1 checking line. I imagine that's what Oates will try to do since he says he wants to push the pace and control the game. Look for the 4th line to be a great one with 26-83-42. Ward will not be on the top 3 lines, and it's mind blowing that someone would want him in the top 6 IMO...
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He scored a lot of goals, and they signed him to an inflated contract because of one super season. Now we are stuck with a 4th liner earning 3 million.