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Calgary Flames Monday Roundtable: Forwards Edition

By Ramina Shlah

Dec 6, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Calgary Flames right wing Kris Versteeg (10) and defenseman TJ Brodie (7) and right wing Troy Brouwer (36) and center Sean Monahan (23) and left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) celebrate Monahan's game winning goal against the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Flames defeat the Stars 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Calgary Flames right wing Kris Versteeg (10) and defenseman TJ Brodie (7) and right wing Troy Brouwer (36) and center Sean Monahan (23) and left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) celebrate Monahan's game winning goal against the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Flames defeat the Stars 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 26, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; Calgary Flames forward Micheal Ferland (79) celebrates his second period goal with forward Johnny Gaudreau (13) and forward Sean Monahan (23) against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; Calgary Flames forward Micheal Ferland (79) celebrates his second period goal with forward Johnny Gaudreau (13) and forward Sean Monahan (23) against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

Question 1: Should Micheal Ferland stay on the top line with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan or should the Flames find a different top line right wing?

Jonathan Boulanger

As I mentioned in my article last week, I believe Ferland has the skill and ability to be a mainstay on the top line, as long he stays healthy and consistent. I’ve been a big fan of him since I first saw him light it up with the [Brandon] Wheat Kings back in 2012. I think he can turn into a physical 25-goal scoring power forward. He has a hell of a shot, sweet hands, and is very strong which helps him in the puck protection department. Also, he is deceptively fast (like that time he burned Sidney Crosby to get himself a breakaway).

Alex Hoegler

Keep Ferland there for now. Top line forwards cost a lot of money and scoring is the least of Calgary’s concerns. Ferland deserves more time with Monahan and Gaudreau.

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Dan Raicevich

I think Ferland on the right side is a good option. But, at the end of the day, I do feel though that someone with a little more offensive upside should reside on that line with the dynamite duo. If that means the team tries to land a star sniper like Ilya Kovalchuk, then make a play for the Russian. The Flames need really three things this year. They need a top four defenseman, a pure sniper and a quality starting goaltender. Ferland got the job done for now, but is there someone better than him? Certainly.

Ramina Shlah

I definitely agree with all three here. I remember when Ferland was paired with Monny and Johnny for a few games last season and he killed it. So in that game against the Nashville Predators when head coach Glen Gulutzan decided to pair Ferland with Monny and Johnny to start the game and he scored, what, 45 seconds into the game? And got another goal later that game, I instantly knew it would be beneficial and he deserves to be on that top line.

Even Gaudreau praises Ferland and says how he’s extremely underrated and has a hard shot. And what Jonathan said, that steal from Sidney Crosby is one of the top five best things to happen this season. Let’s show that video, just for good measures.

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