[News] Oilers name Ference Captain

[Five-hole]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

I think it's more a statement about what kind of guy Okotoker is.

We may not have lost a top 4 defenceman when we traded him away, but we certainly lost a lot of the personality and drive of that 04 team. You saw it in how he played, how he was willing to trust Sutter and take a lower contract, and how he conducted himself on CP.

Good for him.

I now hate him though.

Ference was on the fan960 morning show last week. He had a few good moments with Rhett. But they both agreed that it was weird the way he was traded, Andy made a cryptic comment about how close everyone was and that they all knew how each others' contract negotiations were going (hint to a broken promise from Darryl methinks), and that a lot of the trust on that team was lost when Ference was dealt.

It wasn't just who we lost but what it meant that we lost him and how it happened. That was among Darryl's bigger mistakes (and that's a tough list to top).

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by transplant99

I fear that team is truly now on the right track to start making noise in this league.

Lets not get all crazy! Ference is a good pick for captain, but what makes you believe they are on the right track to anything? Still have a very small and soft team. Still have below average goaltending. Still have no defense. The Oilers better hope they score 6 a game this year because they have potential to give up 5. They are still a horrible hockey team on paper and on the ice. They are still all flash and little substance.

[d_phaneuf]

Don't know whether its a good choice at this point but I am surprised it wasn't Hall

[Matty81]

Will be interesting to see how his play holds up this year with him turning 35. I think he's a good choice for a captain but I am expecting his play will start to fall off soon.

I understand why but still disappointed that he went to the Flames biggest rivals as soon as he had the chance.

[Machiavelli]

Originally Posted by Matty81

I understand why but still disappointed that he went to the Flames biggest rivals as soon as he had the chance.

Why? It's been almost 10 years since he was traded.

[Milt Schmidt]

Originally Posted by moon

I had not heard that. I guess it makes some sense if Hall didn't want it as I don't see any of the other young guys as Captain types.

I guess there isn't much on the roster outside of Hall that seems like an obvious fit. Smid is insanely overrated by Oiler fans and would seem like a possibility and I guess Ryan Smyth is still there.

I can't remember Ference ever even wearing an A anywhere so it seems odd to bring in a new guy who hasn't been a clear leader on his previous teams and make him the A.

Ference wore an A in Boston.

Milt

[burnitdown]

Originally Posted by habernac

I thought I'd heard Hall didn't want the "C".

I think it was the media (not Hall) saying they didn't want him to get it because he was learning a new position to play and he shouldn't have to deal with the pressures of being captain on top of that.

[19Yzerman19]

He's played 0 games for the org and they give him the captaincy? Surely you could have put it back on Ryan Smyth for the interim until he retires if you didn't want to give it to one of your first overall picks, or Eberle? Just makes no sense.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

Why? It's been almost 10 years since he was traded.

I totally understand why he did, childhood team, good opportunity, good money. Some little kid part of me still hopes that everybody who plays for the Flames for a few years and gets a lot of love from the fanbase feels a bit like one of us, identifies with the team at least a little bit and carries a bit of healthy dislike for the Oilers.

But like I said, not raking him over the coals, i get it and I think Ference is a solid guy.

Here's hoping he gets crappy in a hurry on ice now though!

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by moon

Why not?

Whether he thinks he is ready for the C or not has nothing to do with his play on the ice. Plenty of guys have played huge roles for their teams and not worn a letter.

I would say Patrick Kane should never be captain of the Hawks and should recognize that himself but I think he has been fine in terms of being a winner so far.

Hall doesn't have the same mental make-up as Kane, so it's an apples/oranges comparison for me. Kane is much more laid back and carefree.

Hall is easily the most driven player who hates to lose on that roster, so he's the kind of guy that becomes a leader by default. Maybe he's too emotional of a player right now to become that leader, but it really should be something he wants to do. Now it's important to note this is a rumour, but IF it's true it speaks to either his lack of commitment to the Oilers, or his lack of ability to shoulder responsibility.

That being said, this could be a transition captaincy for Ference until Hall is slightly more mature, kinda like the Conroy situation here before the "C" was thrust upon Iginla. I'm still shocked they didn't pick one of the young core kids to build the leadership group around.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by New Era

Lets not get all crazy! Ference is a good pick for captain, but what makes you believe they are on the right track to anything? Still have a very small and soft team. Still have below average goaltending. Still have no defense. The Oilers better hope they score 6 a game this year because they have potential to give up 5. They are still a horrible hockey team on paper and on the ice. They are still all flash and little substance.

We will see.

The biggest difference between this team and teams of the last few years has nothing to do with who is on the ice, but instead who is behind the bench. Eakins (IMO only) will make a world of difference in how the players approach the game.

It may not manifest itself right away as far as wins/losses, but (and again this is just my opinion) I see where that thing is headed and its all in a good direction.

And believe me when i say this....i dont like having to think this way as i am as old school as it gets when it comes to the Flames.... which means i despise the Oilers more than any other team in sports.

[Matty81]

Every Flames fan is going to despise them again soon which is probably a good thing for hockey in alberta. A lot of the younger fans just didn't see the 80s rivalry or the arrogant 90s team that was 5-10 points ahead every year and acted like they were on a different level.

Lowe and Katz are two of the smugest a-holes out there and they are going to be insufferable if their team ever gets close to contention.

[Robbob]

This is a big first step to try and rid the current loser culture that is there and probably why Smyth wasn't given the C.

Kind of disappointed.

[Igster]

First smart move the Oilers have made in a long time. Really don't like this at all. We miss you Okotoker. But now you're the enemy so...

[moon]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Hall doesn't have the same mental make-up as Kane, so it's an apples/oranges comparison for me. Kane is much more laid back and carefree.

Hall is easily the most driven player who hates to lose on that roster, so he's the kind of guy that becomes a leader by default. Maybe he's too emotional of a player right now to become that leader, but it really should be something he wants to do. Now it's important to note this is a rumour, but IF it's true it speaks to either his lack of commitment to the Oilers, or his lack of ability to shoulder responsibility.

That being said, this could be a transition captaincy for Ference until Hall is slightly more mature, kinda like the Conroy situation here before the "C" was thrust upon Iginla. I'm still shocked they didn't pick one of the young core kids to build the leadership group around.

It seems to me if anything it shows that Hall realizes he is young and has a lot to work on before he can/should be captain. But who knows as this is all just guessing and rumours.

I just don't think him possibly saying he doesn't want to be captain now says much about him as a winner as that is likely going to come down to 99% talent 1% other stuff.

[dino7c]

seems odd, an older guy that just came to the team

Ference is alright but I think some of you have your 2004 glasses on again, he is an average at best player

[Igster]

Originally Posted by dino7c

seems odd, an older guy that just came to the team

Ference is alright but I think some of you have your 2004 glasses on again, he is an average at best player

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.

[Miniac]

Odd choice but good for Ference.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Good pick by the Oilers. One of the biggest mistakes Sutter made as GM of this team was underestimating the leadership and locker room impact moving Ference would have.

Sorry: didn't read 5 Holes post before writing this. What he said.

[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.