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Originally Posted by Rtown
I'll put this here cuz I don't want to start a new thread or derail an existing one.
Very disappointed in Ferland. Been following this kid since the Blades traded for him and am really pulling for him, but the problem seems he's almost scared to play his style for fear of loosing his top line spot, when it was his style that got him onto the top line.
Case in point, The LA game, not sure exactly when it was in the game but Ferland was behind the Kings net protecting the puck and D-bag Doughty came up to him to play the body and gave 2-3 good shots in the upper back/neck area. And I thought here we go, someone's finally gonna give Doughty his due, and Ferland woulda been full rights to do so, as like I said they were some pretty good whacks. but Ferland just turned around looked at Poughty and just skated away as if to say "I'm not gonna retaliate cuz I don't wanna lose my first line gig"
The sooner he realizes he's the Brawny one, not the Pretty one on his line, hopefully he can turn it around.
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Can't really knock Ferland for not taking a retaliation penalty' IMO he has been more careful at picking his spots since he had those concussions and being injured at one point while being an agitator. I don't think it's fear as much as it is him finding a constant style that includes some skill and physical presence to his game. Put him on the 3rd line and you might see him finishing checks and wearing down the opposition but I would expect that the first line expectations are a little different?