[Torture]

Mentioned twice in Friedman's 30 thoughts

18. Probably the least surprised person in the NHL with Johnny Gaudreau’s recent success is Los Angeles Kings associate head coach John Stevens, who has known the rookie since he was five. Gaudreau’s father, Guy, coached Stevens’ two boys (John and Nolan, now at NCAA Northeastern) for years.

“Like great offensive players, he’s an inside edge skater,” Stevens said. “And he doesn’t just think a step ahead, he thinks two steps ahead… When we’re preparing our team for players they might not know well, I’ll give them another player as a similar example. For Johnny, I use Patrick Kane.”

19. Stevens says Calgary’s system maximizes Gaudreau’s ability to get open because it creates space for him.

“They have a huge gap, like to play the stretch game. Their ‘D’ can pass it out or skate it out, with the centre swinging back for another outlet.” Gaudreau is usually up ice, finding the open space. The Flames have several players who can make the pass, and he can control it.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/3...-a-wanted-man/