Quote:
Originally Posted by howard_the_duck
...Then we start throwing out "best prospect in Flames history"? With the likes of Niewendyk, MacInnis, Gilmour, Hull, Iginla, Suter, Roberts, Phaneuf etc, I just can't get behind that. I'm as hopeful as anyone he becomes a top 6 player with the Flames, and I do think he can do that, but it's absolute crazy talk IMO we're placing him above some of the Hall of Fame players that have played with the Flames.
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Maybe a different way to look at this is to qualify Gaudreau's significance to the organisation differently, and by arguing that he could be the most naturally gifted or skilled prospect in Flames history. He certainly should be considered one of them. As a comparison, in the mid-1990's there was a well worn notion that the most skilled player on the planet was Alexei Kovalev. Team-mates and rival players positively raved about what he was capable of doing, and yet, he never fully realised that potential because of limitations in his attitude, drive, competitiveness, etc.
Gaudreau has that kind of skill—it's obvious to anyone who watches him. Of course, there are also real, possible limitations on his ability to harness it because of his very small size. I think this is what you are objecting to, but quite frankly, we've been hearing about how much of a determent this will be to his development over and over ever since the day he was drafted. HE'S been hearing about it ever since he started playing. And yet, it hasn't manifested as a problem at any point in his hockey career. The reason for the incredible optimism is a product of Gaudreau's own history, which is consistently refuting concerns about his size over and over again. I, for one, am at the point now where I can't help but extend him the benefit of doubt, and I can't help my inability to contain the excitement.