Gaudreau's stock started to skyrocket after his freshman year at BC. Despite looking like a 14 year old kid out there, Gaudreau got better and better as the season went on. By the time they got to the Frozen Four, he was becoming their best player. And in the National Championship game, he dominated. (and remember, they had Kreider in his senior season on that team).
I don't think there is any comparison between Fox' s rookie NCAA season and Gaudreau's freshman season. Gaudreau was electrifying, and became the best player on the team by the end of the season of the NCAA champs.
To answer the question: Gaudreau's draft + 1 season showed he was a star with special talent. However, there was still the fact that he was 137 lbs. So evaluating him as an NHL prospect remained next to impossible.
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