Ferland discussion

[FBI]

I think this guy is another polarizing player for us. Some fans love him and see a lot of potential, some see one playoff series and a huge disappointment after that.

Where do you stand?

In his last 6 games he has 5 assists after a lengthy drought before that. I still have high hopes for this guy and think he builds to a better season next year. The eye test tells me he has been one of the better players accompanying Johnny and Mony after Hudler left even though he didn't get on the scoresheet much.

My one complaint is I wish he would keep hitting like a beast while he is also trying to help offensively. I think he toned it back just a bit too much this year. Not counting this guy out though!

[Calgary4LIfe]

I actually think of him as a fairly slick player. I love how he controls the puck and has the confidence to skate out of the defensive zone with the puck, and often skates into the offensive zone with it. I think the offence will start coming with time. Some players just take a bit longer - but I love seeing his confidence growing and his willingness to have more patience with the puck. He has moves!

[868904]

Definitely want to see him more mean and with more edge. It's weird, he makes a lot of good plays and gets lots of good scoring chances but the points just aren't there. His shooting percentage is like 4% and I think a lot of that is bad luck cause he has a decent shot. To me, visually, he is a better player than Colborne, yet Colborne is outscoring him by a huge margin. Colborne also has the highest shooting percentage on the flamEs and has taken similar shot totals to Ferland.

It's almost a 30 point difference between the two of them so I don't want to say its luck, but when I watch them play, I think Ferland is the more skilled player.

I think the Flames need to get a pest type Player and put him on a line with Ferland to force him to get involved more. Maybe Bennett will be more assertive and pesky next year with a full season under him, and he would be a good line ate for Ferland.

[Bezer]

I like him, he has good hands more than an average 3 or 4th liner but Id like him to drop the mitts more.

[GranteedEV]

My only disappointment with Ferland is his goal totals. He's good enough to be in double digits. Needs to look at the tape of the entire season and work on his goal scoring.

Not at all disappointing with lack of being a ****-disturber. I won't mind one bit if he never fights for the rest of his career, with his concussion history.

Love his skating, forechecking, playmaking, defensive awareness, and puck-handling. Also one of our most underrated players on the PP, always seems to have a knack for getting to the puck, getting it to the right spot.

[Caged Great]

Next year is where you get a better idea. He struggled mightily this year in his first full year in the NHL. If he has a similar year next year, he'll get moved either via trade or waivers/free agency. Between Shinkaruk/Klimchuk/Poirier/Jankowski/Pollock/1st round pick, there is going to be a ton of competition for the middle six spots on the roster next year, and unless he steps up to take possession of one, the Flames will have to move on.

[GoJetsGo]

I see him as a very good, physical 3rd line winger who just had a rookie season typical of a player of that ilk.

Very useful player, especially for a team that needs size and physicality.

Anyone of the "he was good in the playoffs last year and has never been the same since" crowd completely lacks the context of his age/experience vs. this being his first full NHL season.

[Dion]

I would like to Ferland use his physical side of his game on a more consistant basis. For awhile there Hathaway displayed better physical presence on the ice.

[Roof-Daddy]

He's got decent size
He's strong
He skates well
He hits and plays physical
He's tough and not intimidated
He has decent hands, doesn't handle the puck like a grenade
He's a good fore checker
He has a good shot
He's signed for $825k next season
He's just 23 and only has 96 NHL games so far

What's not to like unless your expectations are out of whack?

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Bezer

I like him, he has good hands more than an average 3 or 4th liner but Id like him to drop the mitts more.

That's a tough thing to ask of any player. But I would like to see him with more of an edge. Seems to me his very first year in the league he was a real #### disturber. Always seemed to be walking the line and a real pest for the other team. He seems to have toned that down this season. He seems to have gotten away from what made him successful in the first place and I think that's the coach's mandate. Less rough stuff, more skilled stuff. Nothing wrong with that, but I had real hopes of Ferland being a ''pest'' ala Marchand, moreso then a top 6 winger, which is what the Flames' seem to be pushing him towards.

[codynw]

For everyone who thinks he's not being physical enough, Ferland leads the team in hits by A LOT. He's 24th in the league in hits with 206. Next closest Flame is Colborne with 122.

[Spike Man]

I think he has played well the last few games. He generates a lot of chances but hasn't converted many. It's such a tough league to score in but I think he will become a more consistent scorer as he matures. Plus he brings a lot of other qualities that the Flames are currently in short supply of.

[DJones]

Feels like he always makes a beautiful play and then misses the net. You can teach hitting the net. I think he should hang with Bennett for at least another year

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

He's got decent size
He's strong
He skates well
He hits and plays physical
He's tough and not intimidated
He has decent hands, doesn't handle the puck like a grenade
He's a good fore checker
He has a good shot
He's signed for $825k next season
He's just 23 and only has 96 NHL games so far

What's not to like unless your expectations are out of whack?

That is marvelous. The first 5 points get you to the NHL. On to the 4th line he goes, at best. There are people signed for cheaper contracts and many players in the league with a low age and a 2-ish season worth of game count. Who cares.

In my mind he is a tryout in training camp.

Always earned, never given

[Strange Brew]

He is one of the guys that could really help the team improve by taking a leap forward. You can see the potential.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

He is one of the guys that could really help the team improve by taking a leap forward. You can see the potential.

Completely agree. He does a lot of good things out there that don't show up on the score sheet. Give him some consistent time on a line with Bennett and see where they go. I think good things will happen.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

I think the expectations were heightened based on the playoff run, with the obvious physical play and showing great hands in stretches. Thing is, he is still a pretty young prospect. Without the Van series, it wouldn't be a big stretch to suggest he could have spent another year on the farm, working on the finishing skills.
I still think he is a unique talent, just perhaps not a first line talent. Still a great asset to have.

[Gaudfather]

There is this inexplicable thing called confidence. When you play with it you look like a real star and often get results. When you play without it you are always just half a step behind and look out of synch.

I think Ferland just has to learn to play with more confidence. And sometimes this is a process that can take 2-3 years to fully develop. A prime example if this is Michael Backlund who many CP'ers have written off at times, but now that he is a confident player looks like a solid two way center that many teams would covet.

Ferland just needs more game experience and confidence in his abilities. While he has been invisible at times this year when on the ice, he still has an amazing tool kit - good skating skills, strength and toughness, combined with soft hands around the net at times.

I would look for him to make good strides next year and want to see him remain as a Flame.

[FlamesAddiction]

He's a good bottom 6 player and they is where I see him in the future.

[StrykerSteve]

Basically finishing up his rookie season. He'll be fine. Has tons of potential.