Not looking good for Micheal Ferland "again"

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

Jeez, I would expect the guy is getting medical advice on this, but how could this be worth it? Unless he has been very irresponsible in managing his money, the added income from a return seems like it should pale in comparison to what he's risking. It's not like he's Crosby and can make a big contribution without mixing it up and taking more shots to the head.



I loved Ferland when he played with the Flames. I hope this all has a happy ending for him despite it seeming pretty risky and perhaps irresponsible.

This strikes me as an expected response. NHL players are the best of the best hockey players on earth, and they don't get there unless they are ultra competitive. I would imagine Ferland will do everything he can to get back.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

[tvp2003]

I'm confident Ferland is getting the best medical treatment and advice available -- what he does with that advice is up to him.

I will state that I think Ferland could still be an effective player without the physicality -- he can still skate well, plays 200 feet, is disciplined, and has an above average shot. I also believe he got his last actual concussion (versus just a relapse of symptoms) from a fight, which in hindsight was probably not a good idea.

[Flash Walken]

It's important he train and rehab as if a return is possible. A goal to achieve, a reason to maintain hope.

He's also got to proceed as if he intends to play to fulfill his contract.

Because of the league's approach to head injuries, he will have to continue to train and deal with symptoms for a good deal longer before he's declared unfit to play by league doctors.

Another 5-6 months of symptoms may be enough to call it a career, but not yet.

Keith Primeau played a handful of games at the start of his last season before suffering a concussion, but didn't end up retiring until almost a full year later. that was 15 years ago.

[Badgers Nose]

Ferland may retire, but Ferkland will live in our hearts forever.

[monkeyman]

Ferland cleared to skate. Great news that he's not showing any symptoms. I still think it'd be foolish for him to try and return to professional hockey given his history of concussions.

https://www.tsn.ca/vancouver-canucks...-out-1.1484149

[lazypucker]

He has another 3 years at 3.5mil each left. I don't think he will just retire now and give up $10.5 mil...

[codynw]

Originally Posted by lazypucker

He has another 3 years at 3.5mil each left. I don't think he will just retire now and give up $10.5 mil...

People have gone on LTIR for dumber reasons than a brutal concussion history. All it would take is for him to get a doctor to say it's too risky to keep playing.

[agulati]

I hope he gets solid advice and takes it from the medical professional. It is tough to walk away from a sport that you love and excel at, but you have to consider long term life implications of another concussion, or even on the basis of all of them he has already had so farz

[Envitro]

isn't there some sort of insurance for contracts like this? In case of massive life-threatening injury?

[Huntingwhale]

I'm glad Ferland got his big contract recently. At least if he walks away, which nobody would fault him, he'll be taken care of his entire life and still be able to do something else as a career should he choose.

He's my favorite Canuck ever (gross).

[Redrum]

Sucks that he ended up a Canuck. But all that tells me is he made them so afraid when he was here, they had to get him when given the chance. As much to not have to play against him as to have him play for them.

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by Envitro

isn't there some sort of insurance for contracts like this? In case of massive life-threatening injury?

I can't speak to Ferland's case, but you have to imagine, with Ferland's history, if you're an insurance company, you are not going anywhere near that contract.

I too am glad Ferland got that contract, and man, am I ever happy he's not feeling the effects of concussions, but I really hope he never plays another game in the NHL. Especially playoff hockey. At what point does the risk outweigh he reward?
But keep collecting that money from the Canucks.

[Blaster86]

I sincerely hope that these risks are really worth it for him. I want to see him play and be healthy, but unless that's guaranteed I don't want to see him risk his future for a sport.

[FlamesAddiction]

If a player with a serious concussion issue is cleared medically to play, does he have to play in order to not forfeit his contract? Or would he have the ability to decline and stay on IR?

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

If a player with a serious concussion issue is cleared medically to play, does he have to play in order to not forfeit his contract? Or would he have the ability to decline and stay on IR?

I'd be legitimately shocked and choked if the Canucks did not honour it.

Nathan Horton is still getting paid iirc and he was done in by concussions.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

I'd be legitimately shocked and choked if the Canucks did not honour it.

Nathan Horton is still getting paid iirc and he was done in by concussions.

I thought Horton had back issues?

[Poe969]

I could see him "retiring" so there is no cap hit but then gets a job with the org that pays him about the same

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by codynw

I thought Horton had back issues?

You are correct.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I could see him "retiring" so there is no cap hit but then gets a job with the org that pays him about the same

The Mike Illich special.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

There's no cap hit either way, is there?

I also figured once he had a couple of failed attempts to play this year he was done. It's up to him though, I think at this point the league has gotten to a place where people with concussion history are making well informed decisions.