Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
Ferland isn't an enforcer. Ferland is a late blooming power forward who we are unfortunately developing at the NHL level instead of the minors because of how good he was versus Vancouver. He has the skill to be a top two line power forward if he can put it all together.
Bollig gets a lot of hate and I partially understand why. You guys wanna see him punching faces and taking instigators when I think he does more verbal threatening as our pseudo enforcer. His skill level for a pseudo enforcer is actually quite good. He can skate and make NHL plays unlike a lot of old style enforcers. He's almost a perfect 14th forward to me. Doesn't complain when he's sat, makes his teammates feel bigger. You'd certainly rather be scratching him when we're fully healthy than a kid we're trying to develop.
Overall I think some of you expect too much from these guys. Ferland is still developing. Bollig is our 14th forward. Ferland's play has dropped off a bit lately but that's no reason to give up on his potential. Bollig even though some call him useless probably has the best NHL skills of any enforcer or pseudo-enforcer that the Flames have ever had. Overall I haven't been disappointed with either guy. They aren't the problem and don't deserve to be whipping boys.
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I totally agree with this. Both are a necessity on the Flames team - more so Ferland once he's more established in the top 6. Bollig might not be required to be the enforcer every single game but he does add toughness that I think a guy like Stajan lacks. The 3 players - Ferland, Bouma, Bollig -when the Flames can get into the playoffs and when these 3 are healthy, watch out!