[News] Gaudreau will head to the Worlds for USA Hockey.

[SofaProfessor]

Gaudreau is so far down the list of concerns this team should have, really. He still looked dangerous in the playoffs even though his point totals weren't there. If he had pulled the trigger on a couple shots we are probably still watching them play tonight and the discussion could easily be about him and Mony putting the team on their back.

I love Ferland but if this team can get a true top line RW that opens up room for Johnny to do his thing, which is drive play with his quickness and vision, then the top line will be unbelievable. He has some things to work on but I'd rather be cheering for him than playing against him every night.

[polak]

If If If.

If a lot of things just went a lot differently who knows where this team would be.

Johnny gave us plenty of reason to be concerned this season but I do agree with the second part of your post. Getting another player who can make plays and stir the drink on the top line to take some heat of Johnny should be priority this off season.

[Par]

Originally Posted by SofaProfessor

Gaudreau is so far down the list of concerns this team should have, really. He still looked dangerous in the playoffs even though his point totals weren't there. If he had pulled the trigger on a couple shots we are probably still watching them play tonight and the discussion could easily be about him and Mony putting the team on their back.

I love Ferland but if this team can get a true top line RW that opens up room for Johnny to do his thing, which is drive play with his quickness and vision, then the top line will be unbelievable. He has some things to work on but I'd rather be cheering for him than playing against him every night.

Originally Posted by polak

If If If.

If a lot of things just went a lot differently who knows where this team would be.

Johnny gave us plenty of reason to be concerned this season but I do agree with the second part of your post. Getting another player who can make plays and stir the drink on the top line to take some heat of Johnny should be priority this off season.

Who do you guys think that is? Can Matt Duchene be that?

[flamesfever]

Originally Posted by Par

Who do you guys think that is? Can Matt Duchene be that?

I believe Oshie would be great.

[Par]

Originally Posted by flamesfever

I believe Oshie would be great.

Oshie will ask for term and money and after Brouwer, hopefully they stay away from that.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by flamesfever

I believe Oshie would be great.

American player. Money talks but most likely he will prefer to play for an American team.

[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by ResAlien

Wasn't one of the excuses for his poor play that he'd played too much hockey last year? I had selfishly hoped he'd take some time off and come back to the Flames recharged.

He took training camp and the preseason off this season, if anything he needs more time on the ice to get into a a good groove.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by flamesfever

I think there is far too much expectation for Johnny. People expect him to come up with these spectacular news reel plays once a night. In spite of a few giveaways and defensive gaffs, here and there, I see him continually making passes that no other player seems to be able to make.

I wear his sweater with pride, and so do a great many others. If one evaluates a player on what he does with what he was given, Johnny rises among the best in hockey in my mind.

I expect about 6.75M worth.

[flamesfever]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

I expect about 6.75M worth.

The average cost per point for Ovechkin, Crosby, Toews, Kane, Giroux, and Bergeron was $ 134,564. with a low of $97,753 for Crosby and a high of $181,034 for Toews.

Gaudreau's 61 points cost us $ 110,655 per point

[Sainters7]

Kinda weird having our best player wanting to be a regular contributor in the WC's, not used to it. Good for him, I don't like when elite talent snubs that tourney (injuries/young family obligations aside)

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Who speculated he was hurt? Lame post is lame post.

I had the discussion with friends that are Flames fans. You know:

"Hey Johnny doesn't seem to be himself"

"yeah I wonder what it is. Maybe injured?"

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

Kinda weird having our best player wanting to be a regular contributor in the WC's. Not used to it. Good for him, I don't like when elite talent snubs that tourney (injuries/young family obligations aside)

It will be fun to watch Gaudreau but I have a hard time caring much about this tournament at all. Oilers fans always used to make a big deal about participation, and wore Ryan Smyth's years of service like a badge of honour, and I always considered it another example of their massive inferiority complex. If players are not interested in attending, I don't see any reason to begrudge their decision. If they want to go, I will enjoy watching them play.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by flamesfever

The average cost per point for Ovechkin, Crosby, Toews, Kane, Giroux, and Bergeron was $ 134,564. with a low of $97,753 for Crosby and a high of $181,034 for Toews.

Gaudreau's 61 points cost us $ 110,655 per point

Yes, and we could pick 6 others closer to his salary range that would probably reflect less favorably on Gaudreau.
His PPG pace was ok. Given everything, he was ok. I wanted a bit more than ok.

[Sainters7]

Fair enough, I grew up loving that tourney (Flames fan in the 90s problems) so I disagree . I welcome the change...but hopefully they won't be in a position very much to be able to go!

I get how it's not very popular over here like it is in Europe though, I'm sure most people would agree with you.

[bigrangy]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Yes, and we could pick 6 others closer to his salary range that would probably reflect less favorably on Gaudreau.
His PPG pace was ok. Given everything, he was ok. I wanted a bit more than ok.

New coach, no training camp, first career injury, big contract to live up to

OK is good. Expectations are higher for next year but until he fails to meet those I'm not worried.

plus he had Chiasson on his line for 40 games, that's not going to help anyone put up points. However, for nearly 7 million you expect a guy to be able to elevate his linemates so I won't use Chiasson as a excuse for Johnny

[EldrickOnIce]

^ Agreed.
Only commented initially to the notion of everyone expecting too much from him.

[tkflames]

Awesome!!! Gets him used to playing late into April and May!!

[J79]

(final) rosters aren't announced yet, right?

Is there a chance any other Flames (Tkachuk?) will play for the US?
USA plays in Cologne, Germany which is only a 2,5 hours drive from where I live so I consider going to the USA - Denmark game.

[Strange Brew]

I am very happy to see Gaudreau going. To me, it's an indication that hockey is more than a job to him and that he thrives on competition.

Everyone has their own reasons for not going but I like seeing young players participate. I do believe it says something about them.

And I just couldn't care less that a lot of Oilers used to go or that Oiler fans made a big deal out of it. At some point, we probably need to stop comparing ourselves to their fans because frankly it says more about us than them.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I am very happy to see Gaudreau going. To me, it's an indication that hockey is more than a job to him and that he thrives on competition.

Everyone has their own reasons for not going but I like seeing young players participate. I do believe it says something about them.

And I just couldn't care less that a lot of Oilers used to go or that Oiler fans made a big deal out of it. At some point, we probably need to stop comparing ourselves to their fans because frankly it says more about us than them.

Sure Ryan Smith always went, but In many(most?) cases the $6 million crowd never went.