Bollig and Ferland: What Role Do they Play? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

killer_carlson · 03-27-2016, 01:21 AM

Down the stretch there has been in increase in physical cheap shots on our skill guys with no accountability from Bollig or Ferland.

So, if those two players are not going to by physically intimidating, do either have a role on the team?

Further, how long before we can expand this to include Bouma and Engellend as well?

Without physical play, do either Bollig or Ferland have an NHL career?

My assessment of Ferland down the stretch is that he's mailed it in for the season and figures he'll turn it up in training camp to keep his NHL spot. No urgency. Seems more entitled to be here than he does committed to his role.

Bollig - not sure what his mindset is. No idea.

Karl · 03-27-2016, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Down the stretch there has been in increase in physical cheap shots on our skill guys with no accountability from Bollig or Ferland.

So, if those two players are not going to by physically intimidating, do either have a role on the team?

Further, how long before we can expand this to include Bouma and Engellend as well?

Without physical play, do either Bollig or Ferland have an NHL career?

My assessment of Ferland down the stretch is that he's mailed it in for the season and figures he'll turn it up in training camp to keep his NHL spot. No urgency. Seems more entitled to be here than he does committed to his role.

Bollig - not sure what his mindset is. No idea.

Ferland? Maybe, because there might be another step up in his development.

Bollig? Definitely no. Guy can't do anything half decent except punch faces when he really feels like it. He's usually pure and utter trash at every other aspect of hockey. Bollig should not be an NHL hockey player.

Huntingwhale · 03-27-2016, 01:29 AM

This team lost a lot of team toughness the day Iginla was traded. As much as the 2007-2012 Flames were disappointing, you could always count on them to get in your face when the going got tough.

I personally think that the coaching staff is preaching discipline, which means less rough stuff during the game. I thought Bollig would be a real force physically when he arrived here. He's had maybe a handful of games where he's played like that.

Ferland comes and goes. Spectacular playoff series last season, but he's really the only player on the team alongside Bouma who can play like that. I almost get the feeling that they feel they have to dial it back a bit so that they dont' wake up the 'sleeping bear' on the other team since no one in our top 6 plays like them.

3rd line Grinder · 03-27-2016, 01:31 AM

I feel like Bouma, Engellend, and Ferland have something to give ouside of simply being a nuclear deterrent, though admittly Ferland certainly needs to develop it alot more to have an impact.

Bollig on the other hand, I just dont see it. Like tonight he couldnt make a pass, let alone an impact, to save his life. He just seems to be a place holder out there who doesnt really do anything. Its a shame because I like his personality and he seems to be a good locker room presence, but he really is taking a spot from more deserving players such as hathaway, elson, and BVB. Honestly, wouldnt be suprised with the way that Hathaway is playing, I wouldnt be suprised if bollig is on the outside looking in with Hathaway making the big club full time.

hockey.modern · 03-27-2016, 01:32 AM

Bouma plays his role consistently, he's not a problem. He won't be that hard checker, but he always finishes his checks, blocks shots and is a big part of the PK. Engelland can I don't mind either. He shoves the opponents around when they get close to the crease. That said though, Ferland and Bollig need to play their roles. Ferland I'd wait and see how he plays next season, and if it continues, he will to be replaced. Bollig is just absolutely useless. Does not do anything at all. Hathaway easily replaces these two players.

GoJetsGo · 03-27-2016, 01:37 AM

Really odd that Ferland is being singled out as a potential police-man by this thread. I don't see Ferland as a guy who's there to hold people accountable.

He has to focus on his own game and remaining physical, not singling out opposition players for retribution. It's easy to forget he's still very much a prospect with this being his first full season.

Don't see grouping Ferly with Bolig and Engelland at all just because he has dropped the mitts before on occasion. Not his role.

Buck Murdock · 03-27-2016, 01:40 AM

It seems the league has evolved to guys having to defend themselves on the spot, instead of having a goon running around after the fact. Iggy was tough because he dropped the gloves the instant he felt necessary. If Johnny gets slashed, its almost impossible for Bollig to get on the ice for payback. Either that or everyone takes cheapshots all the time on everyone.

doctajones428 · 03-27-2016, 02:07 AM

Ferland is going to be more than just a physical presence on this team. Every game I see a flash of something different from him, be it a toe drag, between the legs deke, power move on net, a dangerous wrister. I really think his battle with alchohol has really hampered his development, he missed out on critical amount of time, but he clearly has a large set of tools and I think he's going to start figuring out how to use all of them every night, consistently. I honestly feel he has the potential to be a second line power forward on this team in the coming years

As for Bollig, I think Engelland does a better job than him in everything he was brought in to do. He's a spare part at this point and I would rather a younger guy like Hathaway push him out of a spot

DeluxeMoustache · 03-27-2016, 02:14 AM

Can we reset the expectations for Ferland? He had a good playoff series and has not lived up to that level of play since.

Ferland has zero (0) points in his last 13 games. That does not project to top 6. That is CP falling in love with the idea of the player, not the guy we see night in and night out.

Flashes are one thing, that is what may get you a shot at the NHL. Consistency is the basis for building a career.

Back to the buses and figure out what you bring that will make you stick.

Caged Great · 03-27-2016, 02:28 AM

Ferland to me is on the verge of losing his spot on the team to Hathaway. The new guy plays the same role that Ferland did in the playoffs, but consistently every game. Ferland doesn't hit or do much of anything. If you're not scoring and you're not bringing anything else, why are you there?

Mind you, you can say the same thing about several of the other bottom six forwards on the team.

dammage79 · 03-27-2016, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Ferland to me is on the verge of losing his spot on the team to Hathaway. The new guy plays the same role that Ferland did in the playoffs, but consistently every game. Ferland doesn't hit or do much of anything. If you're not scoring and you're not bringing anything else, why are you there?

Mind you, you can say the same thing about several of the other bottom six forwards on the team.

I've been thinking this a lot lately as well. Hathaway has been giving the Jam where Ferland is trying to develop other parts of his game. But the reality is Ferland is most effective when he is playing the wrecking ball. It's that level needs to be closer to consistently.

Now the question is, will Hathaway slip the same way as well if he earns a spot next season? Complacency, trying to be less physical to endure such a long schedule are a couple of things I can think of that let players like Ferland or Hathaway become less effective over time. In which case, who comes in chomping at Hathaways feet next season? BvB? Harrison (he is a senior right?)? Carroll? All similar players with speed and Jam. Maybe Smith comes in and does the things we want guys like Hathaway or Ferland to do.

I think Ferland can be a solid 3rd line guy. Just needs to find that next gear with some consistency. But no, he hasn't really done much this season. He's certainly had some brief moments but few and far between for sure. I think it is fair to raise some concern on Ferly.

PeteMoss · 03-27-2016, 06:01 AM

You have to keep these energy guys on one year deals. Their style hurts and is hard to play consistently, if you knew you were getting paid next year no matter what, the incentive to run through the wall decreases.

Strange Brew · 03-27-2016, 07:41 AM

Not living in Calgary I don't always hear everything discussed on radio etc. This talk of Ferland mailing it in - are there rumblings he is not working hard in practice? I agree he has been a non factor most of the year.

442scotty · 03-27-2016, 08:16 AM

I too think Ferland still has the tools...Seems like he is still trying to find the right recipe for his game... some times it looks like he is thinking too much... and on the power play he looks perfectly robotic.. going straight to the net and literally just standing there like a post as he was told to do... He's often turned the wrong way when plays are being made... We need to trade for his old linemate from Brandon (Stone was it?) Now they had some good chemistry... imho...

Cleveland Steam Whistle · 03-27-2016, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

Bouma plays his role consistently, he's not a problem. He won't be that hard checker, but he always finishes his checks, blocks shots and is a big part of the PK. Engelland can I don't mind either. He shoves the opponents around when they get close to the crease. That said though, Ferland and Bollig need to play their roles. Ferland I'd wait and see how he plays next season, and if it continues, he will to be replaced. Bollig is just absolutely useless. Does not do anything at all. Hathaway easily replaces these two players.

Don't disagree with your take, other than Bouma has been garbage all season. Willing to give him a pass because he's barely played and has been recovering from a very serious injury, but next year I really hope he's back to his old self (and I don't mean goal wise).

I'm obviously missing something when it come to Hathaway. From everyone on here, to the media, it's a big love in. I mean it when I say I must just be missing it (I can accept when it seems to be unanimous that I must be off my rocker, but after his first few games, I really haven't been that impressed. I do notice him throwing his weight around more than most, but I'm not seeing him really distinguish himself from any other the other warm bodies we have taking up roster spots.

hockey.modern · 03-27-2016, 08:27 AM

With the talk about all these players, I hope management takes a look at Lucic in the offseason if we are able to take some dead-weight off.

Gaudreau-Monahan-X
Lucic-Bennett-2016 Pick?

EDIT: Hathaway may not keep his hitting up all season but at least we know he can get under the skin of some players with no fear.

VladtheImpaler · 03-27-2016, 08:37 AM

Complacency - there should never be any of it for these guys. Bottom 6, and especially bottom 3, forwards should never have long term contracts or make "good" money because they are always replaceable. There are always desperate "energy" guys chomping at the bit. Hathaway loses his edge? Goodbye - bring in the next contender. Why would you ever give any of them a 3 or 4 year deal? I would be reluctant to even give 2, unless it's for 900k per... The implicit deal here is - you sacrifice your body and play "hard" until your body breaks down or you lose your edge, and we provide you an NHL job and 750k per year that you have no hope to earn otherwise. It should be very Darwinian. Most of these guys can't sustain this for more than a couple seasons; a token few hang on because they can win face offs or whatever (see Konopka).
It's ridiculous that we have several who just skate around, take a paycheque and contribute absolutely nothing. The addition of Hathaway has really highlighted this - get rid of them, don't pay them 2m - there is always another Hathaway out there...

cracher · 03-27-2016, 08:52 AM

Is it Bollig/Ferland being complacent, or has Hartley changed his coaching style over the last couple seasons? To me, it seems like the muscle simply doesn't ever get deployed against the offenders after a cheap-shot. Very different from a couple of seasons ago.

Vinny01 · 03-27-2016, 09:09 AM

Ferland's play in the playoffs last year inflated a lot of people's views and expectations. He has failed to live up to anywhere close to the level he was playing last spring. He is a good 4th liner but not much more

PepsiFree · 03-27-2016, 09:10 AM

I would agree that Bollig has one primary role and he isn't performing in that capacity.

The Ferland thing I don't get. Not in offensive skill of course but he's always been a Perry/Marchand type. Can mix it up, play physical, but his role is an offensive one. He just needs more time to develop. I see him as a great third line/good second line offensive agitator. What I don't see is some brute that is meant to be policing the other team and going after anyone who takes liberties.

If we want Ferland, we want an offensively gifted pest. If we want him to be an enforcer, then you might as well trade him now to a team that would appreciate what he actually is.