[News] Oilers name Ference Captain

[Locke]

I actually think this is a bad move.

I dont for one second doubt Ference's abilities as a Captain, but the Oilers basically bought a Captain.

It shows a distinct lack of faith in the group that have been there through the entire grisly rebuilding process.

Not to mention, this team is still garbage. You're bringing in a guy who is used to winning, and believes in winning to change a culture of failure. What if he cant change that culture?

Remember, they're counting on (and paying) Ference to play top 4 minutes. Ference isnt a top 4 defenceman. He never was, and he certainly isnt now.

What happens when the team continues to lose, people will percieve that some of that is Ference's fault as he is going to be on the ice for a lot of goals against because hes going to put in situations he cant handle.

Unfortunately, between the culture of losing, Ference's ability vs. how much hes being paid and the role hes going to be forced to play, I can see this blowing up in their faces and hes going to get run out of town just like Smyth, Moreau and Horcoff.

Which is too bad because Ference is a quality guy, its just that the Oilers arent a quality team.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

So let me get this straight and I want all the Oiler fans out there to hear this.... A member of Calgarypuck is the Edmonton Oilers team captain.

ha. ha ha ha.

LOL!

Well done.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Locke

I actually think this is a bad move.

I dont for one second doubt Ference's abilities as a Captain, but the Oilers basically bought a Captain.

It shows a distinct lack of faith in the group that have been there through the entire grisly rebuilding process.

Not to mention, this team is still garbage. You're bringing in a guy who is used to winning, and believes in winning to change a culture of failure. What if he cant change that culture?

Remember, they're counting on (and paying) Ference to play top 4 minutes. Ference isnt a top 4 defenceman. He never was, and he certainly isnt now.

What happens when the team continues to lose, people will percieve that some of that is Ference's fault as he is going to be on the ice for a lot of goals against because hes going to put in situations he cant handle.

Unfortunately, between the culture of losing, Ference's ability vs. how much hes being paid and the role hes going to be forced to play, I can see this blowing up in their faces and hes going to get run out of town just like Smyth, Moreau and Horcoff.

Which is too bad because Ference is a quality guy, its just that the Oilers arent a quality team.

That post took a lot of thought and analysis to create (seriously). If you have to try that hard to make something look bad, it's probably not bad at all.

I wish this was a bad move, but unfortunately it's not and I can't see any of those reasons you gave actually adversely impacting the Oilers.

[you got PHANUEFED]

Good call by the Oilers the kids are just to young to lead any body.

[terminator]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

So let me get this straight and I want all the Oiler fans out there to hear this.... A member of Calgarypuck is the Edmonton Oilers team captain.

ha. ha ha ha.

What year did he last post in?

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

If that's true then that kid is never going to be a winner.

Guy Lafleur never wanted to be a captain in the NHL either. What a loser.

There are other ways to lead your team.

[Hemmer]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

So let me get this straight and I want all the Oiler fans out there to hear this.... A member of Calgarypuck is the Edmonton Oilers team captain.

ha. ha ha ha.

So he became a member of CP while playing for the Flames? Shows what a solid guy he is to instil himself in the team's community and interact with his fans.

I'll gladly take Ference as the Captain of our young team. He's a Stanley Cup winner and has great experience and leadership skills. Off the ice, he's an Edmontonion and already is huge in our community. Eakins took part in of one Ference's early morning runs that Ference organized in Edmonton, and saw his leadership and commitment to fitness on full display. He's like a younger clone to Eakins so I'm not suprised by this decision. I'd rather have our younger players like Hall and Eberle just focus on hockey and not have to worry or deal with the pressures of being a captain. The Oilers aren't there yet and theres still probably gonna be more losing nights than winning nights in the next season or two. Being captain of a losing team isn't fun, having to face and answer the media every night. I think Ference is a great 'bridge' captain for now until this team and Hall or Eberle is really ready to take on the C.

[Steve Bozek]

Originally Posted by Igster

Has nothing to do with the type of player or how good he is. It has to do with him and who he is. The Flames really lost something when Sutter traded Ference. Teammates love the guy and apparently he is just a great all around guy and a great teammate.

In introducing the Ference interview on 960 on Friday, the announcer said that Warrener felt that trade was the beginning of the end for the Flames - the start of their descent to the present state of affairs.

[mikeecho]

When things go sideways for them and the Oiler faithful boo them off the ice, they have a leader on the team who can show they young kids how to accidentally give the crowd the finger.

[Eddie Bronze]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

I used to like Ference. Now he is Soiled.

He's been "soiled" since the day he flipped the bird to paying fans and then wouldn't own it like a man.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Hemmer

So he became a member of CP while playing for the Flames? Shows what a solid guy he is to instil himself in the team's community and interact with his fans.

I'll gladly take Ference as the Captain of our young team. He's a Stanley Cup winner and has great experience and leadership skills. Off the ice, he's an Edmontonion and already is huge in our community. Eakins took part in of one Ference's early morning runs that Ference organized in Edmonton, and saw his leadership and commitment to fitness on full display. He's like a younger clone to Eakins so I'm not suprised by this decision. I'd rather have our younger players like Hall and Eberle just focus on hockey and not have to worry or deal with the pressures of being a captain. The Oilers aren't there yet and theres still probably gonna be more losing nights than winning nights in the next season or two. Being captain of a losing team isn't fun, having to face and answer the media every night. I think Ference is a great 'bridge' captain for now until this team and Hall or Eberle is really ready to take on the C.

So is that the final nail in the coffin of whether the rebuild was done correctly? IMO two more losing seasons would prove that rebuild was a drastic failure done horrendously icredibad.

[N-E-B]

Nothing against Ference but how can you make a guy who hasn't played a regular season game the captain? Another ridiculous move by the Oilers management.

[killer_carlson]

I hate this move - as a Flames fan.

Andrew Ference is the absolute correct choice for the current Oilers squad for Captain. They needed an attitude change, more professional, more committed off ice, and how to win. They also needed someone well spoken to take the heat off the young guys when they go through a rough stretch. They picked the right guy to give the C to.

[Pontine]

Hasn't played a game for them and gets named captain lol

[CaptainYooh]

Good for Andrew, well deserved. I always liked Ference for his strong character on and off ice; then and now. I did think he was a bit of a defensive liability though when he was here. But seeing how much his game has changed for the better when he moved to Boston makes me think that he wasn't coached right by Darryl.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

If that's true then that kid is never going to be a winner.

Back to back Memorial Cup MVP Awards say otherwise.

Was Hall captain of those teams?

[OzSome]

traitor!! hahaha!! kidding aside, good on Ference..unfortunately there is no way I'll cheer for him unless he plaster one of the Sedins or punch Alex Burrows on a face.

[haiku]

no team leaders eh...
have you considered dubnyk?
signed michael gillis

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

That post took a lot of thought and analysis to create (seriously). If you have to try that hard to make something look bad, it's probably not bad at all.

I wish this was a bad move, but unfortunately it's not and I can't see any of those reasons you gave actually adversely impacting the Oilers.

Naming Ference captain is obviously not a bad move. Part of why they brought him in is veteran leadership. But bringing Ference in to be captain is certainly a sign that nobody previously on the Oilers was bringing much in the way of leadership or respect.

[Robo]

I honestly don't know the answer to this but how many times has a free agent came on to a team and has been named captain is it common?