Quote:
Originally Posted by codynw
That's strange, because I think Ferland had another really good game last night.
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Expectations have been lowered I guess.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm
Ditto.
Been a harsh critic of Ferland this season but he played well last night. Maybe he doesn't have that agitating game some wished, the game Hathaway plays, but he was going hard to the net last night, being messy, creating chances. Thought he played well.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
Same.
I think some people expect Ferland to be something else for some reason. But even when he's not throwing highlight reel hits I love the little plays he makes. His decisions about when to dump it in, when to carry it in, when to pass, when to drive the net, etc. He makes a lot of smart decisions. He has the hands to play with skilled players but doesn't mind doing the dirty work. Even when he doesn't finish his checks his forecheck forces the opposition into making poor passes. Against PIT he had a shift where he forechecked and forced them to ice the puck, they couldn't get it past him.
Ferland isn't a flashy guy, he isn't a fancy guy. If you aren't watching him closely you won't see the little things he does. But IMO he's playing well and developing. I still think he has top two line power forward upside. He isn't an agitator, and he isn't just a grinder.
Hathaway on the other hand is an agitator and grinder 1st class. Loved his game in the preseason and am still loving it.
Both useful players, both with slightly different roles. Both important for next year IMO.
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I expect some of this to eventually translate onto the scoresheet or the win column.
Maybe it's just me mis-reading the forum lately, but it seems like for the better part of the 7 game losing streak there was a lot of, like this game, "Calgary was the better team but lost". They certainly dominated on the shot chart last night and probably outchanced the Sharks as well, but that massive effort still resulted in a loss where the Flames only scored one goal.
Eventually shots and chances and possession only count for Corsi and not Wins. Ferland streaking to the net on a breakaway is great and everything and I like the guy, but Ferland streaking to the net on a breakaway and actually scoring is a significantly better result.
In a results based business, Ferland is just not getting it done this year. Watching Hathaway step into the lineup and appearing to be more effective in the same role is just highlighting it.