The Calgary Flames dodged the stresses of arbitration, and re-signed restricted free agent Michael Ferland. The 25-year-old is now locked up in a two-year-deal worth $3.5 million. The contract gives him an AAV or cap hit of $1.75 million per year.
.@CortexBusiness Transaction Alert: The #Flames have resigned left-winger Micheal Ferland to a new two-year deal.https://t.co/YWd2dBLqzX
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) July 14, 2017
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/885612680438046725
Michael Ferland Re-Signs with the Calgary Flames
A Swan River, Manitoba native; Ferland came into his own last season, establishing himself as an important bottom-six forward for the Flames. He put up career highs of 15 goals and 25 points in 76 games, and added 50 penalty minutes. Unfortunately he did not record a point in the Flames first round loss to the Ducks. While he didn’t light up the scoreboard, it was easy to tell that Ferland was beneficial to the team. He was a physical presence on the ice, and effective forechecker. He is already a strong power forward who has a fairly accurate shot. Ferland could use some work on his skating though.
Ferland has played two full seasons, and parts of a third with the Flames. He has 21 goals and 27 assists for 48 points in 173 career NHL games. Ferland was the Flames fifth round pick, 133rd overall in the 2010 NHL Draft. He played for the Brandon Wheat Kings and Saskatoon Blades in the WHL; as well as the Abbotsford Heat and Adirdondack Flames in the AHL.
In the WHL, Ferland showed off his ability to contribute offensively. He hasn’t been able to find that groove at the pro level though. If he can prove to find a little bit more offence over the next two years, he could be due for a big raise when he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2019.
Ferland had previously filed for salary arbitration. This deal comes just nine days before the case was scheduled to be heard. Ferland and the Flames avoid the contentious process with this new deal.
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