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Vinny01 · 02-19-2017, 11:28 AM

This season certainly has gone no where near my expectations and has been very shocking in all honesty.

We have all watched Gaudreau's progression over the last several years and everything seemed poised for another leap forward
Year 1 USHL - rookie of the year, drafted by the Flames 4th round
Year 2 NCAA- ppg season, tournament MVP, rookie of the year
Year 3 NCAA- 1.5 ppg, WJC gold medal and leading scorer, hobey baker finialist
Year 4 NCAA- 2ppg, hobey baker winner, signs NHL contract scores in only game
Year 4 NHL - 64pts, Calder finalist, first liner
Year 5 NHL - 78pts, 30 goals, 6th in league scoring
Year 6 NHL - looks like one of the 2-3 best players on the young stars team, doesn't sign until a couple days before the season opener, and it falls off a cliff

The way Johnny performed in his career and the World Cup had me declaring to my friends and colleagues that we have a generational player on our hands. A guy who will be one of the 5 faces of the game with the likes of McDavid, Matthews, Ekblad etc.

Watching him this year has been worrisome to say the least. Teams are taking away his time and space, he is turning the puck over constantly, and getting hit with far more regularity. He is on pace to get about 50pts and has not earned his $6.75M that appeared to be a steal when it was signed.

I do think he will bounce back but this is the most adversity he has faced likely in his career. Sure he has always been doubted and proved people wrong time and time again but now he is expected to dominate and is simply not doing it.

I have heard the rumors about his partying ways and that doesn't really bother me. I was his age 10 years ago and I remember how much I drank and partied compared to today.

Johnny is a competitor, and he has a burning passion to play hockey and be the best. I do not doubt him in the future but I am certainly surprised about this season and have backed off from the generational talent talk. I still think he can be a franchise forward however.

02-19-2017, 11:28 AM	#168
Vinny01 Franchise Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CGY Exp:	This season certainly has gone no where near my expectations and has been very shocking in all honesty. We have all watched Gaudreau's progression over the last several years and everything seemed poised for another leap forward Year 1 USHL - rookie of the year, drafted by the Flames 4th round Year 2 NCAA- ppg season, tournament MVP, rookie of the year Year 3 NCAA- 1.5 ppg, WJC gold medal and leading scorer, hobey baker finialist Year 4 NCAA- 2ppg, hobey baker winner, signs NHL contract scores in only game Year 4 NHL - 64pts, Calder finalist, first liner Year 5 NHL - 78pts, 30 goals, 6th in league scoring Year 6 NHL - looks like one of the 2-3 best players on the young stars team, doesn't sign until a couple days before the season opener, and it falls off a cliff The way Johnny performed in his career and the World Cup had me declaring to my friends and colleagues that we have a generational player on our hands. A guy who will be one of the 5 faces of the game with the likes of McDavid, Matthews, Ekblad etc. Watching him this year has been worrisome to say the least. Teams are taking away his time and space, he is turning the puck over constantly, and getting hit with far more regularity. He is on pace to get about 50pts and has not earned his $6.75M that appeared to be a steal when it was signed. I do think he will bounce back but this is the most adversity he has faced likely in his career. Sure he has always been doubted and proved people wrong time and time again but now he is expected to dominate and is simply not doing it. I have heard the rumors about his partying ways and that doesn't really bother me. I was his age 10 years ago and I remember how much I drank and partied compared to today. Johnny is a competitor, and he has a burning passion to play hockey and be the best. I do not doubt him in the future but I am certainly surprised about this season and have backed off from the generational talent talk. I still think he can be a franchise forward however.