"They have a great, young and up-and-coming team, they have great young players with Elias] Pettersson, [Brock*
Ferland had two goals and an assist to help Calgary clinch a playoff series against Vancouver as a rookie in 2015, and his physical play drew critical comments from Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa, who after that season joined the Anaheim Ducks.
"That was kind of when I got foot in door in the NHL," Ferland said. "I remember just being wide-eyed at playing playoff games in Vancouver, and first of all how beautiful the city was, and the atmosphere in that building (Rogers Arena) was always pretty exciting. That was when I kind of got my foot in the door, and I have matured as a player.
"When I first came into the League, I was a bottom-six checker, I liked to finish my checks and get pucks deep, and over the last few years I have established I can play with high-end players and play good with skilled guys also. I have learned a lot over the last few years and matured a lot as a player."
Forwards Pettersson (68 points), Horvat (61) and Boeser (56) are the only three Canucks to score more points than Ferland did last season. Vancouver this offseason traded for forward J.T. Miller, who had 47 points for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
"I would like to play in the top six," Ferland said. "I had a good meeting with (general manager Jim) Benning and (coach) Travis Green and I'd like to play in the top six, but if I am playing in the top nine I think I can be effective on the third line also. Meeting with Benning, he told me I would have a lot of opportunity here playing with Pettersson, Boeser and the skilled guys they have, and they need a bigger guy on their line that can give them some space, and be able to play with them, so when I sat down and talked with my wife, I figured this would be the best opportunity to grow and play with those type of guys."
