Quote:
Originally Posted by Southside
That doesn't surprise me. The Flames are in the bottom third of the league in hits, Ferland ranks in the mid 20's in the league. Ferland averages 3 hits per game, the leaders average 4. But, there is more to it than that. Watch those hit leaders play, they get that extra hit, get into those extra scrums, dole out some face washes, cross checks in the crease and just generally get under the opponents skin.
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Wait a sec. Lemme get this straight. Are you suggesting Ferland would be a much more impactful player if he averaged 1 more hit per game and 2 more face washes per game? That's silly thinking to me.
Ferland is Ferland. Matt Martin is Matt Martin. Cal Clutterbuck is Cal Clutterbuck. Ferland is his own player. He's clearly not an agitator so if you're expecting that you're expectations are out of whack. Hathaway is more like Matt Martin, is more of an agitator. You want a guy running around and hitting everything in sight? That should be what Josh Jooris, Hathaway and Bouma are doing. Ferland has better hands and offensive instincts than those guys. The Flames have identified that and are trying to develop him into a power forward who can be a complimentary piece on a line with two more skilled players. You want a guy who fights and threatens people? That's more what Bollig and Engelland are here for. I, like some of the other posters think that Ferland has been asked to tone down on fighting because of concussion worries.
Clearly certain people have no patience or don't see that upside in Ferland. W/E. Obviously management and coaches do see that upside and have more patience than your average fan. It will be interesting to watch Ferland down the stretch. He should get some nice opportunities down the stretch with Jones and Hudler gone.