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A season ago, the Calgary Flames spoonfed Troy Brouwer ice time in favorable situations to try and get the most of their $18 million investment.

Despite poor results, he received a lot of ice on the top line as well as on the top power play unit.

This year, they've realized he's a sunk cost and moved on from him in key situations. His even-strength ice time is down ~3 minutes per game and, perhaps more importantly, a lot of his power play minutes have been going to Micheal Ferland – particularly of late.

I note this because, though we're not dealing with a huge sample size, the Flames' power play has been significantly better with Ferland on it.

Individually, Ferland has been a much more productive player averaging ~2.5 more points and seven more shot attempts per hour.

Unsurprisingly, that has translated to team success as the Flames score 4.5 more goals per 60 minutes. The Expected Goals For numbers suggest it's no fluke, either. The Flames generate more, and better, opportunities with Ferland on the top unit, which of course leads to more goals.

Again, we're not dealing with a large sample size in Ferland's case but I think we've seen enough to say he deserves to get the minutes on the top unit.

Lately, that's been the case, and I think it should remain so moving forward.

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