Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
Considering that Backlund is regularly deployed against the top forwards in the NHL, I seriously doubt that this would be the case.
Both points have been mentioned already, but it seems likely to me that Gaudreau's quiet NHL start is a product of the following: first, a big adjustment to get his timing and grasp of space at the highest level of hockey in the world. Second, a near-equally big adjustment starting his rookie season with so many games on the road.
I don't really think there are any "Gaudreau troubles" to speak of at this point. He was probably always going to have an offensively underwhelming first 20 games or so. But I really don't think that he will get sent down; at least not before US thanksgiving.
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Adding a third, he's not used to playing this much hockey. NCAA they played 2 games a week. And travel is a lot easier in college. The NHL is pretty much go go go from opening night to final game.
He is going to be fine.
He's still figuring things out both on the ice and off it. Routine being the biggest one. His pregame routine, off day routine... how to handle recovery better. And being on the road for the first 3 weeks of the season, and not really knowing where he is going to be playing till the night before the first game is tough for anyone to get into a solid routine