Video - Gaudreau's first game, shift by shift

[Phaneufenstein]

i just loved how he owned Burrows behind the net there

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Is it too late to completely backtrack on every sceptical thing I've ever said about this kid??

[JayP]

Originally Posted by BloodFetish

Thanks a bunch, AC.

Are the giveaway/takeaway stats skewed depending on if you're the home or visiting team, like hits are?

Johnny was officially credited with 1 takeaway, but I would count 2 on his very first shift!?!

Like hits, giveaway/takeaway tracking isn't very reliable from building to building.

[puckluck2]

He's great at going into corners second and stealing the puck.

[Swayze11]

Having Byron and Gaudreau on the same line was so confusing to me.

[gargamel]

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

Is it too late to completely backtrack on every sceptical thing I've ever said about this kid??

If this was your first Gaudreau viewing, then you're good. The most skeptical thing I've ever heard anyone who's seen him play say is that they hope he can stay healthy. His talent is amazing.

And thanks again to AC for the video. Stuff like this is a godsend to Flames fans overseas.

[FlatLandFlamesFan]

AC you rock !! Many thanks
Johnny has some amazing vision , his speed looks up to snuff.
Gonna be a long summer waiting to watch him some more...WC !! nvm

[Dime_On_Flames]

Thank you so much AC!

Does anyone see a little bit of Datsyuk in Johnnys defensive game? He's relentless on the backcheck and stole the puck a couple of times in that game. This was his FIRST nhl action...i'm salivating at his upside!

[The Swedish Flame]

This kid was drafted in the fourth round?

By the Flames?

Preposterous.

[Mass_nerder]

You can see his speed out there. He closed short distances so quickly. His vision is pretty amazing too, but all the creative little plays he made that most would never even think of are what is going to make him a real success in my opinion.

[nik-]

I had forgotten how good that first shift was. If Butler had been able to handle his pass attempt out of the zone, it would have been even better. At least he was able to do the stick lift takeaway, get to center and dump it in at the end.

[AcGold]

I was one of the people that thought he'd be too small but I was way wrong. His approach to board battles is very unique and actually very fun to watch, he tends to attack on the opposite side of what the guy thinks is going to happen. Like a little buzzsaw that comes out of nowhere and takes the puck away.

Also liked how he took the puck out of the zone and brought it back in to force the Canucks offside and buy his team time. Never seen that before. Seriously, I was one of if not the most skeptical on Johnny and he changed my attitude in 1 game.

[Gaskal]

I am le so happy with this le thread

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by fotze

He doesn't even look comfortable and he looks that good. Imagine after 20 games.

Another comparison I've been thinking of is Adam Oates.

Imagine him setting up someone like Ovechkin.

I think the only thing that will prevent him from dominating is getting killed in a corner by some goon.

He doesn't go into the corner first is what I noticed. It'll have to be an insanely cheap shot to hurt him if he plays like he did Sunday

[heep223]

Originally Posted by AcGold

Also liked how he took the puck out of the zone and brought it back in to force the Canucks offside and buy his team time. Never seen that before.

You don't see this because it's not offside if the defensive team brings the puck back into their zone themselves.

One thing that particularly stood out to me is that JG was +1 in a 5-1 loss. Obviously there's a lot of factors and some would say +/- doesn't mean anything....but that impressed me nonetheless. If possible JG may have exceeded expectations for his first NHL game, which is saying something. Looking forward to years of Monahan+Gaudreau. Glad I renewed tickets.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Originally Posted by gargamel

If this was your first Gaudreau viewing, then you're good. The most skeptical thing I've ever heard anyone who's seen him play say is that they hope he can stay healthy. His talent is amazing.

And thanks again to AC for the video. Stuff like this is a godsend to Flames fans overseas.

Well, it was my first time seeing him in the NHL...

[nixon45]

If Johnny had been able to catch up to that puck at the blue line (3:40), we would have seen something special. The staff at Rogers Arena would still be trying to pick Garrisons shorts out of the rafters.

[indes]

This kid is something else. My lord he made something happen (or close to happening if these guys knew they were gonna get the puck) every time he touched the puck.

[SuperMatt18]

The stick work in the defensive zone was the most impressive thing.

That first shift was Datsyuk-esk with the way he used his low center of gravity to wedge himself between the player and puck, lift their stick, and get the takeaway.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by logan_izer10

This kid is something special.

Please let's pick a different phrase... I find that one soooo offensive

Thanks AC. Outstanding stuff!

Gaudreau looked great, but most importantly... What was his Corsi?