Quote:
Originally Posted by TheDebaser
I'll just add that Gaudreau is a top-6 talent today. I think if he can play as well as he did in his first nhl game, he can only get better next year with more coaching and some time to work on fitness. Just going off of that game in Vancouver, Gaudreau will be a force in our top 6 next year.
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And Baertschi looked great his few games in the NHL. Had everyone (including Baertschi) penciling him in as a top-six forward. That didn't work out so well, did it?
Young guys play on adrenaline their first few games in the show. That wears off. And while a coach may go easy on system and defensive responsibilities the first few games in the big leagues, if you want to stick with the team you need to show you can be responsible and trusted game in and game out.
A season in the AHL to adapt to the 82 game pro grind and learn the team's system never hurt anybody. Look at how Granlund was playing by the time he was called up.