Gaudreau Progress / Development

[FBI]

Yes I know it's only been 4 games..

He is looking timid and tentative, what do you think might help improve his play?

Firstly I'm not sure why Hartley isn't giving him any PP time.. Gaudreau thrives on this so if the kid is going to be up, it seems like a waste and probably takes his confidence down a notch.

Second, why the hell are we using the dump and chase method when Gaudreau is on the ice, it hardly ever works and that is not his game whatsoever. He needs to carry the puck and make some nice plays..

I'm a little confused on what is going on here. Does he need to go down to Addy to get some confidence back? He has been hit a few times, is he being intimidated out there?

I am super excited about this kid but bummed about how things have been going so far. Suggestions for him to improve?

[Caged Great]

He might also be fighting the flu

[Cheese]

relax. There is no rush and no panic.
He will get his time when the coaching staff feels the time is right.

How about that Kari Ramo?

[DownhillGoat]

[flylock shox]

My guess is he's used to being "the guy" and playing a certain way.

Now he's not "the guy" and he's likely being trained out of his old habits and into new ones.

As a result, he's probably having growing pains. So long as they don't end up like Sven's, he'll be fine.

[bubbsy]

give him some frigin PP time to give him some space to make some plays and gain some confidence..

he also needs to play on a line that actually has the puck and isn't hemmed in every shift.

[codynw]

More powerplay time would be pretty neat.

[Muta]

Monahan was used sparingly when he started last year, too. Colborne needed time for adjustments, as well. A six game road trip is hard to start your career with for anybody.

Gaudreau, by game 20, should be A LOT more confident. It's only game 4.

[Arya Stark]

Linemates who can retrieve pucks would be a start. No offence to MasonRaymond and Colborne but they just don't play a good possession game and without the puck Gaudreau is neutralized.

They are playing like the Oilers trying to use the swarm in the defensive zone instead of playing their position.

Colborne is a center but Raymond is playing like the center on that line and he's more playing like a winger. They look confused out there.

[trackercowe]

I think a problem coming is that some peoples expectations were way too high. How can you expect him to put up 60+ points in his first year when very few rookies accomplish that feat? Nathan MacKinnon only had 63 points last year, and yet some people thought he'd eclipse that. Assuming he doesn't get sent down 40 (even high 30's) would be a good number for him to hit in my view. Asking for more than that is putting too much pressure on him, at least for now.

[CampbellsTransgressions]

I think he could use some time in the ECHL to really adjust to the pace of the NHL game.

[sureLoss]

Let's just label him a bust and focus our attentions on the next prospect.

[burn_this_city]

He's still adjusting to the speed and there's a good chance he's got the flu.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Muta

Monahan was used sparingly when he started last year, too. Colborne needed time for adjustments, as well. A six game road trip is hard to start your career with for anybody.

Gaudreau, by game 20, should be A LOT more confident. It's only game 4.

If it takes until game 20 to get going he'll most likely be in the AHL.

[AC]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Let's just label him a bust and focus our attentions on the next prospect.

Of course I am referring to Jankowski.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by CampbellsTransgressions

I think he could use some time in the ECHL to really adjust to the pace of the NHL game.

Why do you think ECHL instead of the AHL?

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Why do you think ECHL instead of the AHL?

Maybe they're planning on dealing him to the Oilers? He needs to get used to how Eakins runs his team.

[Henry Fool]

Takes time especially for a smaller guy to find the space to use his skills. We've seen this so many times before. NHL is such a huge step, far bigger than any step before it.

I don't think Gaudreau looks that bad but you have to be patient. It could take weeks, it could take the entire season before things click.

[CampbellsTransgressions]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Why do you think ECHL instead of the AHL?

The AHL is too simple for Gaudreau. We really need to mess with his head if he's going to make it in the big show.

[stone hands]

The fact that this thread exists makes me sad