Quote:
Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin
Ferland has never played a full NHL season. He played house league until he was 15, and his junior and minor career development was hampered by his alcohol use. Despite that, he was the best player in a playoff series and has solidified himself into the Flames lineup, getting 1st line minutes and not looking out of place. This is his rookie season and he's done this much.
If you ignore the statistics and watch Ferland play, you will see that he is not a career bottom-6 forward. This is what the entire Flames management also sees. Ferland is a good skater, has good hands, can shoot the puck well, and is a huge physical force who can fight very well. He's exactly the type of player that will make the Flames difficult to play against in the playoffs.
From the Flames perspective, it's hard to compare the value of Drouin to a guy like Ferland. They bring different skillsets to the team, and I feel like the Flames are more in need of Ferland's skillset than Drouin's. The Flames will be a good offensive team going forward (Gaudreau, Monahan, Bennett, Brodie, Hamilton, Giordano).
From a pure asset management perspective it's a no-brainer to trade Ferland for Drouin. But, I don't think that's what builds good hockey teams necessarily. I always refer back to Ference + Kobasew for B. Stuart and Primeau. On paper it worked, but on the ice it didn't.
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His story is amazing, but let's not go crazy. He's a dime-a-dozen type of player that some fans tend to glorify due to his contributions against our bitter rival in a playoff series.
But is he irreplaceable? I think finding a big body who is a pretty good skater and bangs is not as rare a skill set as many people seem to think.