Look at Gaudreaus reaction here at 3:10. Non playoff game in February from 2 years ago.
Now look at his reaction from his goal against the sharks just days ago. 1:55 doesn't even crack a smile?
This isn't just a one occasion thing either. These goals reflect his emotion throughout those entire seasons. It appears to me that Johnny is not having fun. Maybe hes frustrated, maybe something is going on in his personal life, maybe he doesn't like it here or maybe a combination of things.
But for me the skill is still there and after a long break or change of scenery I expect him to be the player we saw last season. all this talk of defenders "figuring him out" after 6 years is nonsense to me. It's all in his head.
|