NY Times Gaudreau article. Update: response from Johnny

[sureLoss]

Posted in the backburner forum, but also deserved to be put here

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/26/sp...?smid=tw-share

Much to the chagrin of Flames fans, Gaudreau's mom wants him to play his senior year:

Gaudreau is now wrestling with what to do at the end of this season. He enjoys college life and playing with his brother, but has little left to accomplish at the collegiate level, especially if Boston College wins another national championship.

The Flames are telling Gaudreau to focus on the coming tournaments and then make the decision. Gaudreau’s mother would like to see her son finish college and graduate, and he said his mother usually prevailed in these kinds of things.

“I don’t think he gets it that when you go out there, it’s not going to be all fun anymore,” Jane Gaudreau said. “I don’t think he gets he may be taking the spot of someone who has a wife and three kids.”

She added: “As his mom, I’d like to see him take one more year to get a little bigger, a little stronger, and to enjoy his senior year. He’s never had a homecoming. He’s never had a prom. He missed his high school graduation. He said he’d have a graduation picture for me.

“Have your senior year. You will never get that back.”

If Matthew Gaudreau gets to decide again, he and his brother will return to Boston College. And if Jane Gaudreau was choosing, her sons would be Eagles for another year.

But neither one will probably get that chance. This time, Johnny Gaudreau is going to make the call himself.

update:

http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/03/27...-future-is-his

"She's my mother and I know what she wants for me, but ultimately it's going to come down to my decision and she knows that and she is really supportive of that with me, as well."

"Right now, I'm just worrying about BC. No real set decision yet of what I'm going to do," Gaudreau said. "My mom is really concerned about my degree and me getting stronger and having a senior year and stuff like that. But, I mean, I don't know how much is left here. I've played here for three years and I've had a great three years here so far and I enjoy my time here.

"Senior year would be fun, but I'm not sure if I'll get better at hockey but I'd definitely get a lot stronger in the weight-room.

"It's a decision that I need to make pretty soon."

And make no mistake, it's his decision.

Mom means well, but this is up to Johnny.

"Ultimately, it's going to come down to what I think is best for me," Gaudreau said. "I have my mom telling me what she thinks I should do. I have advisers and family members and everyone telling me what they think I should do and what they think is best for me, but it's going to come down to what I think is best for me and what's best for my hockey career."

[devo22]

But mooooooooom ...

[ramizle]

I didn't even consider the social implications of taking a job from a millionaire family man. Come on Johnny! time to be a Flame! The opportunity for the big boys club is here, Now! You can always finish school later if things don't pan out.

[btimbit]

Think you've pretty much accomplished all you can at that level Johnny, time for the big show. If you want to play hockey as a career, what's stopping you from doing it now?

[Hockeyguy15]

I have to say, NCAA rules are stupid in this situation. They basically force these kids to choose to finish school, or progress their career.

I think they should be allowed to sign contracts in the senior year, but stay and finish their education.

[Scoutski]

I don't think there is anyway the guy doesn't listen to his mother... I can't really blame her.

As a Flames fan though... Daaaaaaaaaaammmmmmmmnnnnnnn iiiiiiiiiitttttttt.

[Gaskal]

*incoherent screaming*

[Coach]

"He said he'd have a graduation picture for me."

Thanks for the guilt trip mom. How about a picture with Stanley?

[nemanja2306]

Come to the dark side Johnny...we have the Oilers, you won't find a suckiest opposition anywhere.

[flambers]

It would be great to see him graduate, but another year in college will not help his development towards being ready for the NHL in my opinion.

Really tough decision, I would bet when his year is over... Flames will push to sign the player.

[A Shot Wide]

As much as I love Johnny and I'm sure his mother is a great woman, every point she made was directly related to her and being worried about her son not being ready. Taking a job from someone else? That's essentially the business in a nutshell. The best players play. Getting stronger? I'm sure that can be done more efficiently with pro trainers. Degree? That's always an option later down the road. Graduation picture? What, seriously?

At some point, a prospect of his pedigree has to make the next step regardless of his size, holding him back could potentially cause stagnation, which hurts his chances of being successful. Fact is is he needs to be playing pro, more games with a higher level of competition is ideal for his stage of development, and the pros certainly outweigh the cons in my opinion. Really hope Johnny makes the right decision here and makes the next step, it's disappointing how everything seemed to be pointing in that direction up until an article gets released that really puts that in jeopardy.

If it helps at all, I'll take a graduation picture of Johnny myself. Free of charge.

[Textcritic]

Like the article says, the decision will ultimately be his. When you are the best player in the NCAA by a country mile, how much appeal can there be in going back? I love that his mom is looking out for his best interests and that she wants him to develop into a great person as well as a good player. But I would also bet that since she is a good parent, she is also not blind to the fact that Gaudreau will be stagnating with another year of school. He's an extremely competitive kid. She knows it.

[SoulOfTheFlame]

...Say it ain't so...

[Ashasx]

If Gaudreau goes back another year, you have to trade him. You can't take that risk.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

If Gaudreau goes back another year, you have to trade him. You can't take that risk.

By that logic who is going to give anything significant for him... they run the same risk the Flames do.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

If Gaudreau goes back another year, you have to trade him. You can't take that risk.

God, that is just myopic, short-sighted paranoia.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

If Gaudreau goes back another year, you have to trade him. You can't take that risk.

For what return? Which NHL team is going to give you anything significant for a college player going into his senior year, who can call the shots of what team he plays on after he's graduated.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by fotze

Whoever he had already made a deal with.

Then they can wait til he is UFA and not give up anything.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by fotze

Whoever he had already made a deal with.

The NHL is a small community. There is no way a highly regarded prospect of Gaudreau's calibre has any sorts of clandestine dealings with another NHL team without the Flames knowing all about it.

[nemanja2306]

Do we have any connection to him? Former team mate, coach, friend....that sort of thing.