Ferland discussion

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Doesn't your first paragraph pretty much describe not having a great hockey IQ? You know, everything after you say he has a great hockey IQ?

It could for sure, but I don't believe that's the issue as I said, I believe it's confidence. The reasons why:

- he almost always does the right thing without the puck, is in the right situation, goes to the right places on the ice.

- when he doesn't have time to overthink, he almost always makes the right play or choices. If the play is bang bang, he decides the right thing and executed well.

This to me shows he has a good IQ but it's nerves or confidence that gets to him when he has time to think. The equivalent to a short stop getting the yips in baseball but not as extreme.

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

Rene Bourque.

I almost made this comparison several times, but didn't want to deal with the reactions. He reminds me a lot of early Bourque, before injuries led him to change his game and become much less effective.

Honestly, if he turned into '08-'11 Bourque I'd be pretty happy

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Bourque had a great shot, skating and size but took bad penalties and was invisible many shifts.

Ferland has skating, size, hitting, stickhandling, passing, defensive hustle, and hockey sense and is noticeable on a shift to shift basis.

Very dissimilar players to me

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

It could for sure, but I don't believe that's the issue as I said, I believe it's confidence. The reasons why:

- he almost always does the right thing without the puck, is in the right situation, goes to the right places on the ice.

- when he doesn't have time to overthink, he almost always makes the right play or choices. If the play is bang bang, he decides the right thing and executed well.

This to me shows he has a good IQ but it's nerves or confidence that gets to him when he has time to think. The equivalent to a short stop getting the yips in baseball but not as extreme.

That is fair and I respect your position, and maybe can add that good positioning without the puck is the result of decent coaching. Basic blocking and tackling, if you will.

I think of hockey iq being guys like Gretzky (obviously the ultimate example) that don't panic when they get the puck because they see what is developing all around them. Panic and bad/ forced decisions with the puck seem to me like a shortfall in hockey iq.

[calgarywinning]

Ferland kind of disappeared halfway through and then finished the season strong. Love this player. Exciting to watch.

Would be nice to see him develop some killer finish. He's already standing right in front of the net, or stripping the puck or handling it great. Just finish.

[Poe969]

I'd love if we got lucic on the team to "mentor" him. It would be fun to watch those 2 together.