It’s 11 games into the season, and the @Vancouver Canucks are rolling. With a record of 7-3-1, the Canucks are just two points out of first in the Pacific Division with a game in hand – and they currently own the highest goal differential in the league with a +15.

Not only is the team succeeding on an overall basis – they’re also finding success on an individual basis across the board. In Monday’s domination of the Florida Panthers, every single Vancouver forward recorded at least one point – even @Loui Eriksson, who looked solid in his return to action. In fact, it could be argued – but not by this author – that the Canucks actually have too many individuals playing well right now, as @Adam Gaudette sits in the pressbox patiently waiting for an opportunity that may not come.

The Canucks are doing so well that they’ve been almost entirely absent from trade talks this season, and it makes sense – who would want to mess with this team’s chemistry as it currently exists? With that being said, however, the Canucks are about to add another top-nine forward to the mix whether they want to or not – as Antoine Roussel will make his return to the lineup within the next couple of weeks.

Roussel – currently recuperating from an ACL surgery – was a revelation in his first season as a Canuck, putting up 31 points in 65 games and often serving as the source of the team’s energy. His eventual presence on the roster isn’t a problem in the slightest – but there will still be an issue when it comes to fitting him in. When Tyler Motte comes back from his minor ailment, the Canucks will have a full set of forwards once again – and someone is going to have to go.

So, this week we’re asking:

Last week, we asked:

Too early in the season to speculate, give the team/staff a little bit more time to work things out. At this point, Ferlands’ contribution is not really needed. Perhaps as the season rolls along (games become more meaningful and intense) then his type of play with Roussel (and to a certain extent Eriksson’s experience) would be a welcome addition instead of trading for it. Seems like a team that will be hard to play against and with the goalies might even win a round or more?

From Day 1, I thought Ferland should be playing on the second line with Bo. JV18 is probably just a temp right now, but Ferland plays a tougher game than Leivo. As far as a slump goes, the team is playing well and other guys are scoring. His goals will come.

As for Ferland, I’d just keep playing him. Let him work his way out of it on his own. He’ll figure it out. If they need to keep him on a “lower” line, it’s fine, but they should also try him with the top lines in situations when the game is stable. For example, when they’re up 4 to 2 on the Wings or if they happen to be down by a lot at some point.

It isn’t rocket science to suggest that coach Green should continue to put Micheal Ferland out on a regular shift until he gets his game back. Understand that the optics of putting a newly signed and high-profile FA signing in the press box by Hallowe’en have never been good, and it just ain’t happening. Makes you wonder though where Baer would be if they didn’t sign Ferland this season. Presently, Shotgun Jake is playing better than Ferland, so Green should leave JV18 where he is, at least for now. The fact that the Canucks have been winning doesn’t make the MF79 situation all that dire.

Ferland openly talked about being very concerned for his long-term health after yet another concussion last December. He said, right in a TSN interview, he was concerned about remaining a physical player due to the long-term health effects that type of style might bring. After his return from concussion last season, Ferland’s play slipped a lot. Over the last 36 games he has played he has two goals.

This isn’t a nine-game trend after an illness. It’s a full half season trend after multiple concussions and a public declaration the player intended to change his style of play.

To give a 4-year contract to a player who openly talked about their health concerns and the need to change their style would be typical Benning. To not question this signing would be typical bootlicker. Especially considering the treatment Baertschi got this season after his concussion issues.

Here’s a cheat sheet for idiot GMs around the league. If [Carolina hockey analyst Eric] Tulsky is letting them walk, do not go near them.

Some might say “don’t fix what ain’t broken,” but I would consider at least temporarily putting him in Miller’s net-front role to help him get some confidence. Miller’s shown he’s versatile and could likely thrive on PP2, which could use better playmaking – but Fergie could use the confidence boost.

At even-strength, I would suggest lining him up with a playmaker (in Calgary and Carolina he was with some elite talent in Monahan/ Gaudreau and Aho/ Teravainen, but he’s with Sutter and Jake who are more straight-line guys who are more shoot first — maybe he needs to complement a playmaker). If the team ever decides to bring Sven up and line him with Sutter and Ferland, or lines him up with Gaudette, I could see them doing well in a third line offensive role.

It’s far too early to bench Ferland. How long did Eriksson get? Two and a half seasons? Let the guy play through this. Maybe some time on the second line and as a net-front presence on the powerplay might get him going. It’s not as if he’s been costing the Canucks wins.

He will be fine, needs to get his weight back to perform up to expectations.

It’s all health-related. If you ask your doctor, you will find that if you are hit with a severe virus that causes you to lose ten pounds in a few days it can take three months to fully recover.

So, we might not see the real Ferland until Christmas.

Optimistically, maybe unrealistically, I believe we may start to see an impact from him around mid-November – only because he is a professional athlete.

Send down Gaudette, get him playing again. Call up Baertschi, put him on Bo’s line and PP2. Virtanen, Ferland, Motte, and Schaller rotate in and out of the pressbox and bottom-six until something clicks or injuries happen and take from there.

I would give Ferland all the time he needs to recover physically. His game is better suited for the second half and hopefully a playoff run

Can everyone just lay off the guy and give him half a season to get comfortable with the team and city? Ultimately, Ferland will be judged on if he can bring his brand of heavy hockey in the postseason.