I still think Ferland makes this team better. Our first line with Ferland was more dangerous 5 v 5 than it's been with Lindholm, as in-denial as people are about that fact.
But trading Hamilton was worth it if we weren't going to play Hamilton at RW. Brodie is the better top pair D and Andersson is the better "whatever Wideman's role used to be back in 2014-15".
I honestly have no idea what your facts are. Outside of your insistence that Ferland is some kind of Jamie Benn type monster.
Here are some facts:
Ferland and Lindholm (YTD) have played about a similar spread, about 10% of their games playing away from Johnny Gaudreau / Sean Monahan. Flames overall team possession numbers are different by about 0.3% (YOY)
Facts:
Monahan and Johnny's possession numbers with Ferland:
Johnny: 52.37, Monahan: 53.97
Monahan and Johnny's possession numbers with Lindholm:
Johnny: 57.87, Monahan 56.98
Facts:
Monahan and Johnny's 5v5 goals forward with Ferland:
Johnny/Monahan: 42 GF over ~72 games.
Monahan and Johnny's 5v5 goals forward with Lindholm:
Johnny//Monahan: 27 (average between 28 and 26) over ~29 games
Facts:
Monahan and Johnny's scoring chances with Ferland:
Johnny: 51.28, Monahan: 48.28
Monahan and Johnny's scoring chances with Lindholm:
Johnny: 56.60, Monahan: 55.93
Now, you're not a big eye test guy, because your eye test tells you who's going to win Selke's, be Erik Karlsson's and be Prime Toews; so we know that's f***ed. But eye test gives Lindholm the nod, they're downright dominant. Now if you're only looking for facts: Facts, advanced metrics tell you that with Lindholm, Johnny and Monahan: Create more shots, create more chances, give up less chances and score more goals. In denial might be a good word here.
Also, may as well admit you were wrong on the Andersson front while you're ahead. The guy's got top 4D written all over him, and the coach plays him when the game matters most. The guy's decision making at 21 are superior to those of Wideman when he was 29.