Ferland Gets Paid

If there's one thing that NHL general managers love, it's a big middle-six winger who can score and bring a little grit to the roster. We've seen teams overpay for these types of players in the past, and we'll likely see teams overpay for these players in the future. With that being said, the Vancouver Canucks added another player of this type today after adding the likes of JT Miller in a trade earlier this off-season when they signed Micheal Ferland to a four-year deal worth $3.5 million per year. With Antoine Roussel on the roster, the Vancouver Canucks have invested a lot of money in "sandpaper"-type guys.

The 27 year-old Ferland recorded 17 goals and 40 points in 71 games for the Carolina Hurricanes this past season, and it was expected that he would move on from the Hurricanes once free agency started. A number of teams were reported to be interested in Ferland's services this summer after a pile of teams reportedly asked about him at the trade deadline as a rental, but the Vancouver Canucks came out on top with the four-year deal. GM Jim Benning still has some important pieces to sign, but Ferland makes the Canucks a little harder to play against for the foreseeable future.

Since 2015, Ferland has played in 71 or more games in each season. His durability isn't going to be questioned, so he'll be a valuable piece for the Canucks if his body can continue to withstand the physicality. His breakout season was in 2017-18 when he scored 21 goals and 20 assists with the Calgary Flames. His production saw the Carolina Hurricanes ask for him to be included in the Noah Hanifin deal that sent Ferland, Dougie Hamilton, and the rights to Adam Fox to Carolina in exchange for Hanifin and Elias Lindholm. While the Hurricanes opted to keep him for their playoff run, there was a very good chance he'd leave at the end of the season.

That's where the Canucks benefitted by having cap space to sign the power forward.

With Vancouver, there's a good chance Ferland plays on the second line alongside Bo Horvat. Playing on that second line and in a more offensive role, that career-high of 21 goals and 41 points are certainly within range for Ferland to pass if he concentrates on using his size and skill to go to the net for deflections and chip-ins. While his production fell off in the playoffs, he'll need to find some consistency if the Canucks are to return to the playoffs.

Sometimes, there are contracts signed in the off-season that makes one shake one's head with regard to length or annual value. Ferland's $3.5 million seems like a little much for a guy who has broken 20 goals only once, but the Flyers gave $7 million for seven seasons to a guy who has also only scored more than 20 goals once. It makes you scratch your head and wonder who got better value for their 20-goal man.

Micheal Ferland's contract may not be the biggest or richest, but he'll provide good production per dollar paid, and that's precisely the kinds of contracts that should be handed out in the salary cap age. GM Jim Benning did well on this one.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!