It doesn't surprise me with how well he is doing in Carolina. People just assumed that Ferland was done developing. 30 goals seems more than plausible for him, and though I don't think he can hit 40 during any one season in his career, if he did accomplish that feat, it wouldn't shock me either.
Flames miss Ferland and everything he brought to this team. It was still a shrewd trade by Treliving, but Lindholm and Hanifin were expensive acquisitions. Every single season in the NHL you could see the growth in his game. Anyone that is particularly surprised with how well he is doing may just be guilty of underrating him and feeling anyone over a certain age - regardless of history (like him overcoming alcoholism) - is a finished product with no room for improvement. Still one of my favourite players out there with the kind of game he plays and his 'feel good' story growing up, as well as his personal battles.
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