Quote:
Originally Posted by transplant99
You want to believe he is still elite? Fill your boots. The numbers in every way, shape, and form say something very much opposite. The eye test is even more damning.
When I watch him, and it has been this way for 2 years now (not just an "off season"), i see a guy so afraid of contact that his game suffers drastically because teams know it. Literally will just leave the puck alone if he is about to make contact.
Why this has happened? Who knows? But it has and its not disputable.
Does that preclude him from finding his old ways again? Nope. In fact i would guess he will bounce back to some degree...but not on this club.
So I am not sure what you are even arguing....do you think the Flames should build around him or something?
Here is the reality of today
He has been in decline offensively for two full years.
He has one year left on his contract.
Are you suggesting he shouldn't be traded and the team gamble whether or not he decides to explore free agency and lose him for nothing?
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Gaudreau has always been afraid of contact, this is not something new. For 7 years he’s been avoiding hits and plays that could involve receiving contact, but that hasn’t hindered his ability to produce. The biggest reason for the drop off in my opinion has everything to do with the way that line is being defended on their breakouts which has nothing to do with being afraid of getting hit.
Gaudreau is definitely not bouncing back with this organization, not a chance with Darryl around. His stats with Darryl and without him this season are pretty drastic. Personally I think it has more to do with who he’s line up with than the coach himself, but regardless, none of this will likely change so we’ll probably be seeing the end of Johnny’s time here is my guess, unless Jack Eichel is traded here, but even that’s pretty pie in the sky.
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