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Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
I know some will argue we can't trade him because of his puck skill but I've long questioned whether the really soft, skilled players are who you win with in the playoffs. You've got to have a certain amount of grit and heart to fight through NHL playoff checking and get anywhere near the net. I am often accused of being optimistic about all things Flames and this year has me very pessimistic about Gaudreau ever having the tenacity, courage, heart, grit, etc to fight through tighter more physical playoff checking.
But you're never going to convince everyone to jump on the trade Gaudreau bandwagon. Some (not saying you are) will overlook his warts because of his magic and I understand that perspective. It's going to be a very important second half and playoffs for Johnny.
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I respect your posts and perspective but disagree wholeheartedly with your or anyone else’s take downs of Gaudreau. I think people are rightfully looking at the team’s terrible playoffs last year and comparing to the Blues method as the type that wins in the playoffs. It’s one way not the only way.
I think CGY can win with Gaudreau with a style similar to the ‘16 penguins. Puck speed. Obviously CGY don’t have a Crosby or Malkin but it’s not like those guys carried the team with 2 pts/gm. Their team play moved the puck quick away from closing pressure. CGY can achieve this but it’s up to the entire team to :
-adopt this style (again) and move away from the chip and chase game.
-Players committing to the hard work required. Just aggressive, fast pressure everywhere on the ice. Yes that means Gaudreau needs to step it up but it’s incumbent on the entire team (coaches, GM) to put the tactics in place and be put in situations to succeed.
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The Penguins, as an organization, have always had a little bit of renegade in them. They don’t belong to the old guard. They’ve always been about speed and skill, believers that talent and hard work win out against structure and the dreaded trap.
Now, the organization sits on the verge of its fourth championship. Once again, it’s being done their way.
They aren’t big. They aren’t physical. They don’t have a traditional third line, or a traditional fourth line. They don’t have traditional stay-at-home defensemen. There is nothing about them, in fact, that is at all traditional. When they try to sit back to protect leads, it rarely goes well.
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https://www.pensburgh.com/2016/6/9/1...penguins-style