What is Ferlands potential with the flames?

[TheFlamesVan]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

Just behind his punishing hits, IMO Ferlands best quality is his high hockey IQ. One of the highest on the Flames.

Kid will be a big part of this team going forward.

I agree 100%.

And I've said this before, but I seriously think he has the best shot release on the team. His snapper is top tier.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I have no idea what you're looking at - Ferland is fast. I would argue he's very fast. One of the better skaters on the team, and clearly under-rated I guess.

Fan perception of Ferland is baffling to me. I completely understand the viewpoint that he is what he is and he will never put it all together - I get that (though I disagree).

But the tools are there on public display every night and for some reason, some fans just don't see those tools.

Seriously, the kid can fly.

And it's kind of funny that you compared him to Kassian because Kassian is actually an excellent comparison. Ferland has an almost identical tool set to Kassian, just without the idiocy and the d-bagness.

Where did I get this from...my eyes, and scouting reports? He simply cannot fly. Decent skater, but I can't emphasize enough that it's not + speed. Coming into the league, any scouting report you read on him indicates "needs to work on skating and foot speed to compete at NHL level".

I've seen him address his quickness to keep up to NHL speed, but nothing more than that. It's an accomplishment in and of itself for someone his side to get where he has.

My god, anything short of a homer-esque blind compliment and you're pinned to the wall around here. I'm a FAN of Ferland, I just won't call him a blazer because he simply isn't.

[bdubbs]

I watched pretty much every game of Flames hockey and I believe Ferland is a pretty fast skater. Not our fastest, but he isn't 'just keeping up to NHL speed.'

[combustiblefuel]

I give Ferland some more leeway in his development more ao than most prospects.

The guy didn't start playomg hockey until the age of 16 and jumped straight into the WHL and started contributing to his team. I think this is a fact often over looked.

The kid has some serious raw talent still. It is not a surprise he is inconsistant at this point in his career. I know he is 25 but I think of they still are patient with him over the next year he will be a dominant player from 26/27 till 33/34 thats a still a good chunk of time.

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by bdubbs

I watched pretty much every game of Flames hockey and I believe Ferland is a pretty fast skater. Not our fastest, but he isn't 'just keeping up to NHL speed.'

He pulled away from Crosby. Not just outskated but pulled away for a clear break away where he roofed one home.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

Where did I get this from...my eyes, and scouting reports? He simply cannot fly. Decent skater, but I can't emphasize enough that it's not + speed. Coming into the league, any scouting report you read on him indicates "needs to work on skating and foot speed to compete at NHL level".

I've seen him address his quickness to keep up to NHL speed, but nothing more than that. It's an accomplishment in and of itself for someone his side to get where he has.

My god, anything short of a homer-esque blind compliment and you're pinned to the wall around here. I'm a FAN of Ferland, I just won't call him a blazer because he simply isn't.

Oh, a scouting report from several years ago. Okay then. Draisaitl says hi.

Some guys actually work on, and improve their skating. Ferland is fast.

And saying something positive (that is true) about a player does not make you homer-esque. It is okay to disagree without pulling garbage (non) arguments like that out.

[GranteedEV]

Ferland is obviously not a Gaborik/Hossa/McDavid/Bure/Byron tier skater but he's got a ton of speed relative to the NHL - He is not only impressive at top speed, but has some pretty quick first couple strides. His ability to disrupt on the offensive cycle is only possible because of how quickly he closes gaps from a standstill. I think the only better straight-line skater on on our entire roster right now is Backlund, and he's not quite the freight train that Ferland is when he gets moving. Bennett and Gaudreau have better edges but both could benefit from adding Ferland's raw explosiveness.

[Tron_fdc]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

He pulled away from Crosby. Not just outskated but pulled away for a clear break away where he roofed one home.

Kind of looks like Crosby gave up a little expecting the Dman to catch him. Still though, Ferland is no slouch AT ALL when it comes to skating ability.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQPR1iMgItf/

[Oil Stain]

He reminds me of Raffi Torres.

Decent speed, good shot, good physical play. Bulldog style. Some stretches of games where they aren't all that noticeable. Probably not a good enough passer to put up 50 points.

I know some will remember Torres as a head shot artist, but those were legal hits (even celebrated) for the majority of his career and he just couldn't learn new tricks going into his 30s.

I feel like we shouldn't let that be a sticking point in the comparison of the two players.

[Sandman]

Hartley once said that Ferly has the talent to be an all-star if he put it all together.

Not saying i agree that his ceiling is that high, but still.....

[FBI]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

He pulled away from Crosby. Not just outskated but pulled away for a clear break away where he roofed one home.

Yeah but Crosby can't skate right?

[GioforPM]

Ferland has enough speed that he can glide into hits (to avoid charging) and still be travelling at a good clip. He has a fair bit of leg power. In a straight line, maybe Brodie could beat him. Maybe Backlund. I don't know if I've ever seen Hamilton go full out straight ahead, so maybe him too.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

He reminds me of Raffi Torres.

Decent speed, good shot, good physical play. Bulldog style. Some stretches of games where they aren't all that noticeable. Probably not a good enough passer to put up 50 points.

I know some will remember Torres as a head shot artist, but those were legal hits (even celebrated) for the majority of his career and he just couldn't learn new tricks going into his 30s.

I feel like we shouldn't let that be a sticking point in the comparison of the two players.

That could be a fair comparison. I think Torres could get unglued at times and have some Rene Bourque (dumb) moments and Ferland from my viewings has been pretty composed as he's not a guy that takes a lot of bonehead penalties.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

he's not a guy that takes a lot of bonehead penalties.

Understatement. Didn't Ferland have less minor penalties than Gaudreau this year?

[codynw]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Understatement. Didn't Ferland have less minor penalties than Gaudreau this year?

Yea, if I'm remembering right, he went most of the season without taking a minor. He had a lot of PIMs because of fights, but no minors.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

He reminds me of Raffi Torres.

Decent speed, good shot, good physical play. Bulldog style. Some stretches of games where they aren't all that noticeable. Probably not a good enough passer to put up 50 points.

I know some will remember Torres as a head shot artist, but those were legal hits (even celebrated) for the majority of his career and he just couldn't learn new tricks going into his 30s.

I feel like we shouldn't let that be a sticking point in the comparison of the two players.

A much better comparison, IMO, is Kassian. Like Kassian, Ferland has all the tools to be a great hockey player. For Kassian, his cement head gets in his way, but he'll show you very promising things every once in a while.

Ferland will also flash amazing skills periodically, and he does it more often. And far more importantly, he isn't the idiot that Kassian is. But big, fast, great shot, punishing hits. Both of these guys are capable of being very impactful players. And I think Ferland is the more likely to get there, just because he isn't as likely to get in his own way.

[Itse]

I don't care that much about Ferlands potential. Potential is worthless unless a player actually reaches it, and IMO at 25 the odds of Ferland reaching his full potential are bad, especially since he hasn't exactly been a quick learner so far. His best performance was still two seasons ago against Vancouver. I also think some people here are vastly overrating his hockey IQ. Even 4th liners in the NHL can make really smart plays every now and then.

Currently I think his consistency issues are so bad that I'm not a big fan. Most nights he's pretty much just filler. Not good enough defensively for a shutdown role, doesn't put up enough points for an offensive role, not consistent enough to be a really good energy player. Not bad enough to stand out, but not actually helping you win.

All that said, he does have pretty good tools. Big and strong, good skater (although mostly speed), very good shot, decent IQ, seems to have a good attitude which is important. With all those tools it wouldn't take that much for him to be a lot better, so I get the positivity people feel for him.

Personally, not a fan, and don't see a big future. We might get a couple of 40 point seasons out of him if he gets consistent top 6 icetime, but that says more about Gaudreau-Monahan and Backlund-Frolik than Ferland.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Itse

I don't care that much about Ferlands potential. Potential is worthless unless a player actually reaches it, and IMO at 25 the odds of Ferland reaching his full potential are bad, especially since he hasn't exactly been a quick learner so far.

Actually its the opposite of what you suggest. He's only started playing high level hockey in his mid teens. He's caught up to his peers, thus suggesting he is actually learning and improving quickly. He's a late bloomer because he started playing hockey late. To ignore this factor and focus solely on his age is kind of silly. Also powerforwards often take longer to develop.

Originally Posted by Itse

I also think some people here are vastly overrating his hockey IQ. Even 4th liners in the NHL can make really smart plays every now and then.

Ferland makes smart plays every game. If you aren't seeing them then I guess you aren't watching closely? I dunno. The smart plays are what stands out to me.

Originally Posted by Itse

Currently I think his consistency issues are so bad that I'm not a big fan. Most nights he's pretty much just filler. Not good enough defensively for a shutdown role, doesn't put up enough points for an offensive role, not consistent enough to be a really good energy player. Not bad enough to stand out, but not actually helping you win.

Strange. His consistency issues are so bad that he got himself promoted to the 1st line. I guess you're suggesting the coaching staff are complete idiots for doing this? Cause the player you're describing wouldn't have made it above the 4th line. You know who has consistency issues? Every player in the league. Even the best ones. You're smarter than the coaching staff? Sounds like you wouldn't even have him on the team and they have him on the 1st line? What a bunch of idiots I guess right?

Originally Posted by Itse

All that said, he does have pretty good tools. Big and strong, good skater (although mostly speed), very good shot, decent IQ, seems to have a good attitude which is important. With all those tools it wouldn't take that much for him to be a lot better, so I get the positivity people feel for him.

Not sure why you're not a big fan then. You can see the tools, you can see the upside.

Originally Posted by Itse

Personally, not a fan, and don't see a big future. We might get a couple of 40 point seasons out of him if he gets consistent top 6 icetime, but that says more about Gaudreau-Monahan and Backlund-Frolik than Ferland.

No, it says something about how successful lines in the NHL are constructed. Ferland fills a role. It's called the powerforward role. It's important because he can win board battles, protect the puck. Those things are important for retaining possession. Possession leads to chances. Also powerforwards are good at crashing the net, screening the goalie. Those things lead to screened goals, deflected goals, rebound goals. Powerforwards may not get as many pure points as a smaller skilled forward would but their role can be as important and influential to the overall success of their line, especially in the playoffs when the game becomes tighter checking and more physical.

He's a complimentary player who plays a useful role. Is he a probable 60 point player? Nope. Don't understand why you're so down on him. Gaudreau and Monahan need a power forward on their line to compliment their weaknesses. If it isn't Ferland then it'll probably be Tkachuk. Unless you break up Monahan/Gaudreau. Either way you want multiple powerforwards in your top 9 to be successful in the west. With Ferland and Tkachuk we're set up quite nicely in this regard.

EDM had this problem as well. Not enough size/strength combined with their skill. McDavid turned the team around but the additions of Kassian, Lucic and Maroon really rounded out their forwards nicely. Ferland/Tkachuk are our versions of those guys. You need some skilled guys with size/strength to do the dirty work along the boards and in front of the net. Seems you do not give this enough credit. Finding these types of players can be hard.

[MarkGio]

Yeah you need power forwards. Right now the Flames look like this:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Tkachuck - Backlund - Frolik
Versteeg - Bennett - Lazar

(Dangling playmaker) -- (Sniper) -- (Power Forward)
(Power Forward) -- (Two-way Centre) - (Two-way winger)
(Playmaking winger) -- (Two-way Centre) -- (Power forward)

If anything, I think the Flames need another sniper.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Strange. His consistency issues are so bad that he got himself promoted to the 1st line. I guess you're suggesting the coaching staff are complete idiots for doing this? Cause the player you're describing wouldn't have made it above the 4th line. You know who has consistency issues? Every player in the league. Even the best ones. You're smarter than the coaching staff? Sounds like you wouldn't even have him on the team and they have him on the 1st line? What a bunch of idiots I guess right?.

I think the guy was just giving his opinion.

Settle down fella.

You are going overboard to put words in his mouth.

Jeez.