With trade deadline season beginning to ramp up, the Boston Bruins are among the teams that appear most interested in Carolina Hurricanes forward Micheal Ferland, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
A 26-year-old left shot, Ferland ranks second among the Hurricanes in goals (13) and fourth in points (25) through 39 games, and his 99 shots on goal are the fourth-most among Carolina forwards. Ferland has some bite to his game, too, with a 114 hits (third-most on the ‘Canes), and most recently dropped the Predators’ Austin Watson with ease.
Ferland’s apparent move to the trade block is interesting, if only because he’s been one of Carolina’s most consistent performers this season.
But entering the final year of a deal that comes with an affordable $1.75 million cap hit, there’s no doubt that Ferland’s production could price him out of Carolina considering their long-term plans, as well as their obvious status as one of the league’s “budget teams.”
A fifth-round pick in 2010, Ferland spent the first four years of his NHL career with the Flames, and established career-highs in goals (21), assists (20), and points (41) in 77 games for the Flames last season.
The Bruins will not be alone in their pursuit of the feisty winger, though, as Friedman reported that the Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, and Pittsburgh Penguins have also expressed interest in Ferland.