What is Ferlands potential with the flames?

[FBI]

I hear a lot of comments like if Ferland is our #1 RW, then we are doomed.
I'm not sure I agree with this. What if he just takes another small step and becomes a perennial 20 goal guy. Then is it so bad that he is on #1 RW?

What do we think Ferland is going to be?

15G, 10A physical player up and down the line up?
20G/20A 1st line RW?

10G, 10A crash and banger on the 3rd and 4th line?

Trade bait or soon to be out of the league?

Curious as to CP opinions here, we seem to be all over the map.

[Moneyhands23]

I hope he gets a shot at top 6 minutes this year. Saying that I have no idea if he belongs there.

Consistancy and balance will be key to his success.

[TheScorpion]

I think he can turn, at max, into a 25/20 kinda guy who throws a ton of hits. Like a more physical, slightly-less offensive, more effective Glencross.

[jayswin]

He's still developing so it's hard to track a trajectory. He's big and has flashes of great skill with the puck, which many tweeners have had. What sets him apart imo, is his shot.

If you can get him the puck in a scoring area he has the ability to just snipe one top shelf out of nowhere where a lot of guys would just take a standard, routine saved shot.

It's early so when I say this I don't mean he can't improve on it, but I what I believe may hold him back from becoming a star/permanent top six player is the ability to use his stick handling and puck possession skill consistently. He can deke through guys in close at times and make you go "Wow, a star in the making!", but he also loses the puck and/or reverts to a dump in more than a true top six forward should, which is the opposite of what you need for Gaudreau.

I wouldn't be surprised if ends up a solid third line guy when we become a contender and that would be perfectly fine.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

God knows what his potential is. I've heard everything from "AHL 'tweener" to "top line power forward". The funny thing is, I've seen all those versions of him, and I still can't decide who he actually is. That's the infuriating thing about him, he teases you constantly with elite potential, but only plays at that level for maybe 20% of the season at most.

Will the real Micheal Ferland please stand up?

[PepsiFree]

He's 25, so he has officially entered the zone where forwards most commonly play to within 90% of their prime/max potential. What he does this year will be our best indication of what he is capable of.

From what I can see, he's a fantastic utility player that can contribute. I would be surprised to see him crack 40 points (that'd be great) but I think his potential is in the 25-35 point range as a guy who uses the body really well.

I think "top line power forward" is far out of reach. He hasn't shown that. I think he's the perfect compliment to the top line but I agree that we're in trouble if he's the "#1 RW". Like Pittsburgh, you want a guy like Ferland playing on a line with your stars, and then a top winger like Kessel on the second line to create balance. I don't think Ferland is top 6 on every team, but he can play up and down the lineup to create balanced scoring and physicality.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

God knows what his potential is. I've heard everything from "AHL 'tweener" to "top line power forward". The funny thing is, I've seen all those versions of him, and I still can't decide who he actually is. That's the infuriating thing about him, he teases you constantly with elite potential, but only plays at that level for maybe 20% of the season at most.

Will the real Micheal Ferland please stand up?

Ferland reminds me of Bertuzzi, who for the first 3 seasons of his career would flash his great skill and power forward game yet not put up much points and some times looked lost. Yet when everything clicked, he took off. I'm not saying Ferland has Bertuzzi upside, but there are similarities.

There are some on this board who think Ferland is an ahl guy, but I'm sure every Gm in the league has asked for Ferland at some point during trades. A guy with that size and skill and can fight is a very valuable asset.

To take the next step Ferland needs to score more dirty goals. Go watch tape of Ryan Smyth and see how he scored, all garbage goals. Ferland has the size and touch to do that.

[Cantrader]

Maybe trade bait...

[_Q_]

I remember last year when half the board was going on about how much trouble this team is in if Backlund is our #2 centre. Turned out this season, the second line was the least of our worries.

Ferland did a decent job this season on the top line and I hope he can build on that next season. There's no reason why he can't be our #1RW.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Cantrader

Maybe trade bait...

Doesn't make sense for team lacking toughness to trade a young physical player with potential. It's not like his contract will be expensive.

[Sainters7]

Ferland - along with Monahan and Bennett - was arguably our best player during the Flames brief playoff spell last month. He's pretty much who he is at this point; streaky and doesn't play as physically as he should at times. But when he's on, especially in playoff mode and actually willing to throw the body around he's fun to watch, with sneaky good speed and hands.

He probably shouldn't be on a top line, but I like the presence he brings...again, when he feels like it and remembers he's a good hitter. I'd like to see him stick around, good guy to have in the playoffs. We need more players with his physical presence, given we're currently a smaller team that gets pushed around a little bit and need to get bigger in such a physical division

[locsofblu]

Top 9 forward who can occasionally play big minutes through stretches but ultimately not a top 3. Also could be used for trade bait.

[Beninho]

I'd say his ceiling is a 20 goal scorer if he stays on the top 2 lines. Probably will end up being a useful depth player if the team can add some more offensive weapons.

[dino7c]

He had zero points in the playoffs...sure he had a few chances but to say he was good in the playoffs I totally disagree. He isn't a 1st liner...but could be good on the 3rd line.

[EVERLAST]

His Ascension isn't over and I'd say if the flames are as patient with him as they have been with Backlund he will be unreal in a few years.

With the proper linemates who knows where he'll be.

He's no slouch and we don't possess another player like him.

He can score skate fight intimidate .

We haven't had a player like this since (and I loosely compare him) to Iginla.

He's come a long way and I can't wait to watch him for years to come.

[David Struch]

Micheal Ferland's size, aggressiveness + scoring stats during his first two and a half years are very similar to those of Gary Roberts if you taken into account the different eras.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Roberts_(ice_hockey)

[N-E-B]

I could see him having one or two 20 goal seasons, but that's about it.

I really like Ferland but I just don't see him getting much better.

[Sainters7]

Didn't say he was lighting up the scoresheet in the playoffs, he's not even that type of player. We're talking about a team who got swept here, the bar is low. His play was just very noticeable to me throughout the series, and was throwing his weight around a lot more, in a series where many of our best players disappeared. To me he was clearly trying hard to channel "2015 playoffs Ferkland", which was great to see.

He's not a must have piece going forward, but I like the presence he brings when he wants to and I'd like to see him stick. We get pushed around way too much, need players with jam like him.

[MarkGio]

The perfect 3rd line:

Tkachuck - Bennett - Ferland

If the Flames can develop a 2nd line LW internally (ie, Klimchuck, Shinkaruk, Mangiapane) and obtain a legit top RW such as Eberle, Kovalchuck, Radulov or Silfverberg, then the Flames will have a deep forward line-up

[Geeoff]

I personally like him as a guy who can move up and down the line-up. I think we've seen his ceiling, which is as a pretty useful player.