I'm not weighing in on Johnny vs Gio because they're both favourites (I like everyone on the team - in the system) but Johnny takes a lot of crap by fans. I can't believe it at times.
He is, by far, the most dynamic player I have seen play for the Flames. More to the point his hockey IQ is just incredible. Opponents are obviously focused on shutting him down and they employ different ways to do this. Johnny has consistently shown he figures out - on the fly - how to adapt and play his game.
He's a passionate player and very competitive so you see him show frustration but he doesn't get flustered or more importantly he doesn't get shut down. I don't mean he doesn't go pointless but he is always, always able to find ways to generate chances. He can hold on to the puck and find ice.
Quote:
“A lot of his goal are big goals; they turn games around,” said injured Flames defenseman and captain Mark Giordano.
“He’s got that game-breaker … a lot like that guy in Chicago. Patrick Kane scores big goals, and I feel like Johnny is in that same ballpark with him this year.”
Giordano sees plenty of Kane in Gaudreau, in terms of quickness and intelligence.
“The style, how dynamic he is with the puck, reminds me of Kane,” he said. “I know Patrick Kane, probably before he got hurt this year, was the best offensive player in the league, so it’s saying a lot.
“He [Gaudreau] sees the game two steps ahead of everyone else.”
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https://www.latimes.com/sports/ducks...508-story.html
Gaudreau has a rare ability you can't 'hard-work-into' or you can't train in the weight room to gain. He has a vision and anticipation that are utterly amazing and very few in the world posses.
His quickness and his hands are mind blowing. He's a relentless player who has just been able to play his game at every level - right off the bat.
He fits into a category of hockey player that I really appreciate. Their essence is smart, skilled, humble and competitive. To me all the greats fit that descriptor