Not looking good for Micheal Ferland "again" - Page 8 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

SuperMatt18 · 08-05-2020, 11:46 PM

Yeah, just go on LTIR now and earn the rest of that contract without playing.

Still have no idea why he thought he needed to prove something by getting in a fight that first shift back.

CorsiHockeyLeague · 08-06-2020, 06:34 AM

Surely it wasn't the fight. As noted he fought his first shift in game 1, played the entire rest of the game, had a day off and I would guess had a practice in between, then was dressed for game 2, played another bunch of shifts, and then had to leave.

PepsiFree · 08-06-2020, 08:34 AM

It could be the fight, but it’s just as likely that symptoms returned or were a little worse than expected just from game action alone. Bryce Salvador had the same issue as Ferland, and it’s pretty interesting just how disorienting it is: https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en...g-through-hell

agulati · 08-06-2020, 09:06 AM

It is unfortunate for Ferland. Always pull for the guy, but it doesn't seem that the concussion issues are going to stop plaguing him anytime soon.

Huntingwhale · 08-06-2020, 09:57 AM

I don't ever root for a player to get a massive UFA contract, as usually they backfire. But Ferland was one of the few I was rooting to get paid, and I'm glad he did. Kudos to his agent for getting him that money. Nobody likes to be forced out of their line of work, but Ferland has the memories, money and youth to quit hockey and still live a great life with his family.

I would just hate to see something terrible happen to him down the road if he continues to play.

PeteMoss · 08-06-2020, 10:09 AM

Ferland is a weird one to figure out. He is smart enough to pull himself out of these games when he feels the symptoms (most of the time nothing even occurs so I doubt the trainers or spotters are catching it and pulling him) but then comes back and fights on his first shift back for no reason.

At some point its on the doctors to not clear him.

Textcritic · 08-06-2020, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Ferland is a weird one to figure out. He is smart enough to pull himself out of these games when he feels the symptoms (most of the time nothing even occurs so I doubt the trainers or spotters are catching it and pulling him) but then comes back and fights on his first shift back for no reason.

At some point its on the doctors to not clear him.

But they cannot just make these decisions for him. Doctors have protocols they must adhere to; sets of criteria to be followed, and if a player meets the set criteria for clearance to play, a doctor cannot simply choose to veto them. This is where players need to accept the responsibility for their own health. It is something that everyone has to do. So, while doctors may clear Ferland for play because they don't really have much of a choice but to do so, I am also certain that they are also doing their utmost to make him aware of the dangers that come with that decision. In the end, it is up to Ferland to make the right decision for himself and his family.

PepsiFree · 08-06-2020, 10:46 AM

It's also worth noting that with the issue Ferland is currently playing with, he is probably medically fit to play as the danger isn't to further brain damage (any greater than any other hockey player), but the symptoms likely make it hard or impossible.

You can still play without a fully functioning vestibular system, Bryce Salvador (as I posted above) did and won a cup playing through it. It's just difficult, but it can also be fixed.

I don't know, I see this thread and see a lot of people acting like he suffered another concussion or that his health is in great danger or that the doctors are somehow at fault here, but his issue is different enough that it's worth understanding before we make these kind of judgements off the cuff.

Enoch Root · 08-06-2020, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Why the #### did he fight!?

Because that is how he plays the game. If you're going to play, play. You can't play scared or tentatively.

Braden · 08-06-2020, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Because that is how he plays the game. If you're going to play, play. You can't play scared or tentatively.

Seemed at somepoint when he played on our topline he had long stretches of not playing that way. But I guess when teams trade for you and sign you because you have played a certain way you feel more pressure to give them what they pay for?

JohnnyB · 08-06-2020, 11:11 AM

Have been a big fan of Ferland and would be happy if he retired. He should go enjoy the rest of his post-hockey life. He played hard, left it all on the ice and should be able to retire with no regrets.

PeteMoss · 08-06-2020, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Textcritic

But they cannot just make these decisions for him. Doctors have protocols they must adhere to; sets of criteria to be followed, and if a player meets the set criteria for clearance to play, a doctor cannot simply choose to veto them. This is where players need to accept the responsibility for their own health. It is something that everyone has to do. So, while doctors may clear Ferland for play because they don't really have much of a choice but to do so, I am also certain that they are also doing their utmost to make him aware of the dangers that come with that decision. In the end, it is up to Ferland to make the right decision for himself and his family.

Doctors make judgement calls all the time. There isn't a magic chart that says you fall on this side or that side. If you can't make it through more than a few games without it recurring, I'd question if you are healthy enough to play.

Enoch Root · 08-06-2020, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braden

Seemed at somepoint when he played on our topline he had long stretches of not playing that way. But I guess when teams trade for you and sign you because you have played a certain way you feel more pressure to give them what they pay for?

I think it's more a case where, on your first game back, you're full of piss and vinegar, but when you're playing every night, you're focused on your duties.

FlamesAddiction · 08-06-2020, 11:40 AM

I know it's an old story, but I recall Lindros telling stories about going out, playing whole shifts and even scoring, only to go back to the bench and forget what had just happened.

Putting the onus on players to self-diagnose is not practical given the nature of the type of injury this is. I think there needs to come a point where doctors can make the call and say you will never recover to a point you can be medically cleared to play in the NHL again.

SuperMatt18 · 08-06-2020, 11:44 AM

I think the big thing with that Ferland fight was that it was unneccessary.

If had fought somebody in the heat of the moment then I think that would have been okay, that's not playing scared and playing your game.

But to go out there and look for a bit of a "staged" fight in your first shift right off the faceoff was unneccessary.

codynw · 08-06-2020, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Because that is how he plays the game. If you're going to play, play. You can't play scared or tentatively.

Ferland can be a solid player without fighting. He's got decent hands, good shot, he's quick.. I get that he made it by playing that way, but he doesn't need to play that way just to have a career like the goons of the past.

868904 · 08-06-2020, 12:34 PM

I feel like Ferly probably had all this hope that his head issues were not concussions and this newly diagnosed ear problem and he just got too excited thinking that he was all right and they now knew what the problem was.

Feel for the guy. Hate seeing him in a Canucks uniform. Some things just aren't meant to be.

Ferly fought A LOT in junior. That stuff has to catch up to you eventually. They should put limits on how many fights you can have in junior. It's like MMA fighters nowadays don't really spar while training. Save it for when it is needed.

Coach · 08-06-2020, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 868904

I feel like Ferly probably had all this hope that his head issues were not concussions and this newly diagnosed ear problem and he just got too excited thinking that he was all right and they now knew what the problem was.

Feel for the guy. Hate seeing him in a Canucks uniform. Some things just aren't meant to be.

Ferly fought A LOT in junior. That stuff has to catch up to you eventually. They should put limits on how many fights you can have in junior. It's like MMA fighters nowadays don't really spar while training. Save it for when it is needed.

Limits? It should be completely banned. I just don’t get people who find entertainment from two teenagers bare knuckle boxing.

d_phaneuf · 08-06-2020, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codynw

He fought on his first shift back...

Meant in game 2

PepsiFree · 08-06-2020, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 868904

I feel like Ferly probably had all this hope that his head issues were not concussions and this newly diagnosed ear problem and he just got too excited thinking that he was all right and they now knew what the problem was.

Concussions were likely the cause of the vestibular issue, and nothing yet indicates it's another concussion and not a ramping-up of symptoms directly tied to the ongoing vestibular issue. Those would still be considered concussion-related, due to the cause.

Here's a basic explainer for those that think the ear-issue was entirely separate from the concussion issue, or those that are confusing the ear-issue with potentially further brain damage: https://rethinkconcussions.upmc.com/...r-infographic/