[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Itse

I don't care that much about Ferlands potential. Potential is worthless unless a player actually reaches it, and IMO at 25 the odds of Ferland reaching his full potential are bad, especially since he hasn't exactly been a quick learner so far.

Actually its the opposite of what you suggest. He's only started playing high level hockey in his mid teens. He's caught up to his peers, thus suggesting he is actually learning and improving quickly. He's a late bloomer because he started playing hockey late. To ignore this factor and focus solely on his age is kind of silly. Also powerforwards often take longer to develop.

Originally Posted by Itse

I also think some people here are vastly overrating his hockey IQ. Even 4th liners in the NHL can make really smart plays every now and then.

Ferland makes smart plays every game. If you aren't seeing them then I guess you aren't watching closely? I dunno. The smart plays are what stands out to me.

Originally Posted by Itse

Currently I think his consistency issues are so bad that I'm not a big fan. Most nights he's pretty much just filler. Not good enough defensively for a shutdown role, doesn't put up enough points for an offensive role, not consistent enough to be a really good energy player. Not bad enough to stand out, but not actually helping you win.

Strange. His consistency issues are so bad that he got himself promoted to the 1st line. I guess you're suggesting the coaching staff are complete idiots for doing this? Cause the player you're describing wouldn't have made it above the 4th line. You know who has consistency issues? Every player in the league. Even the best ones. You're smarter than the coaching staff? Sounds like you wouldn't even have him on the team and they have him on the 1st line? What a bunch of idiots I guess right?

Originally Posted by Itse

All that said, he does have pretty good tools. Big and strong, good skater (although mostly speed), very good shot, decent IQ, seems to have a good attitude which is important. With all those tools it wouldn't take that much for him to be a lot better, so I get the positivity people feel for him.

Not sure why you're not a big fan then. You can see the tools, you can see the upside.

Originally Posted by Itse

Personally, not a fan, and don't see a big future. We might get a couple of 40 point seasons out of him if he gets consistent top 6 icetime, but that says more about Gaudreau-Monahan and Backlund-Frolik than Ferland.

No, it says something about how successful lines in the NHL are constructed. Ferland fills a role. It's called the powerforward role. It's important because he can win board battles, protect the puck. Those things are important for retaining possession. Possession leads to chances. Also powerforwards are good at crashing the net, screening the goalie. Those things lead to screened goals, deflected goals, rebound goals. Powerforwards may not get as many pure points as a smaller skilled forward would but their role can be as important and influential to the overall success of their line, especially in the playoffs when the game becomes tighter checking and more physical.

He's a complimentary player who plays a useful role. Is he a probable 60 point player? Nope. Don't understand why you're so down on him. Gaudreau and Monahan need a power forward on their line to compliment their weaknesses. If it isn't Ferland then it'll probably be Tkachuk. Unless you break up Monahan/Gaudreau. Either way you want multiple powerforwards in your top 9 to be successful in the west. With Ferland and Tkachuk we're set up quite nicely in this regard.

EDM had this problem as well. Not enough size/strength combined with their skill. McDavid turned the team around but the additions of Kassian, Lucic and Maroon really rounded out their forwards nicely. Ferland/Tkachuk are our versions of those guys. You need some skilled guys with size/strength to do the dirty work along the boards and in front of the net. Seems you do not give this enough credit. Finding these types of players can be hard.