NY Times Gaudreau article. Update: response from Johnny

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Byron wasn't sent back because they didn't want to lose him on waivers I would think.

It was mentioned in passing in one of the past few games's broadcast by Rob Kerr or the other guy (forgot name) ... waivers may have been a consideration, but it was said they wanted him to think of himself as a NHLer.

[saXon]

I'm under the assumption that the media out east is taking everything that is said by Johnny's parents WAY out of context. The media is known to grab a snippet statement out of a 4 minute interview and focus all attention on that, and put their own spin on it. I get the feeling they aren't telling the whole story.

Look at Duthie's insistent on air misrepresentation of Burke's quote straight to his face near the trade deadline. That was enough to make me vomit. I'm pretty sure the eastern media may be spinning the same crap.

That, or the eastern media doesn't like the fact that they are losing a generational talent to a smaller market western Canadian team.

Or both.

[TherapyforGlencross]

Originally Posted by sun

Yes, and?

You cannot do that if a player is under ownership of an NHL team.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Johnny will sign with us if he really wants to further his development into the thing that he loves most.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by fotze

I think people underestimate how awful that first day of University lectures are, especially with someone who isn't into it. Moms don't care about how terrible it is to get up for an 8 am lecture in something you have no interest in, all while getting a text from your buddy Bill with a picture of his new Hummer.

Or his new SUV.

[Locke]

I'm sure if he doesnt sign Brian Burke will fight his mother in a barn in....yeah, upstate New York. Thats actually surprisingly convenient.

[CaptainCrunch]

I think we should step back on the whole generational player thing a bit and look at Johnny realistically.

I love his skill set and all that, but until he gets here and starts skating against experienced pro's that are probably every bit as fast as him we don't know this.

but because of the hype we're all standing on the ledge.

[CaptainCrunch]

[saXon]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I think we should step back on the whole generational player thing a bit and look at Johnny realistically.

I love his skill set and all that, but until he gets here and starts skating against experienced pro's that are probably every bit as fast as him we don't know this.

but because of the hype we're all standing on the ledge.

That's the irony in my above post, the media has been spinning stories and pumping Johnny's tires in the east for 3 years now and he's had no shortage of coverage during his tenure with BC/USA hockey.

The generational talent isn't something most of us have come up with on our own, and I certainly hold reservations on calling him as such.

Edit: However Johnny is a generational talent at the collegiate level.

[FlamesAddiction]

I'm kind of curious as to why it is set up the way it is anyway? Why wouldn't the owners insist on having a full year after a player finishes university to sign them? I can't imagine it would be an issue that the NHLPA would hold out on as it would only affect a small number of future NHLers.

[Badgers Nose]

Joe Mullen, the second coming.

Guaranteed he will play for Calgary.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by fotze

Moms don't care about how terrible it is to get up for an 8 am lecture in something you have no interest in, all while getting a text from your buddy Bill with a picture of his new Hummer.

Totally nitpicking here, but he can't get a new Hummer. They haven't been made in 4 years now.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Must be King Kong, far too big to be human

[TheKing]

I'm going to say he is going to be the next Kane or better...or close.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by 868904

Burke is the better guy than Feaster here. Like the Colborne acquisition where Burke lowered expectations big time by comparing him to David Steckel, Burke's comments about Gaudreau were only to lower fan expectations of probably the most hyped Flames prospect in years. It's just another example of Burke caring for his players.

Feaster and Weisbrod did Jankowski no favours with that stupid "best player in the draft" comment. Coming from Tampa, Feaster just had no idea what hype and expectations are on players in a Canadian market. Burke knows that all too well having been in Vancouver and Toronto.

Plus, Feaster had no idea what he was doing. Sure he acquired a bunch of small skilled guys but they were largely ineffective until some size and toughness was brought in to protect them. Burke understands that and has made this comment when talking about Gaudreau.

Papa Gaudreau should feel better that Burke is in charge because the Flames will always be one of the tougher teams with him in charge. Johnny will have one to two enforcers looking out for him here always, which will give Johnny the freedom to be as creative a player as he wants. None of the Flames small players have had to deal with anything this year with Grats and Westy around, and this will be true when Johnny plays for the Flames.

Fully agree. I would also add Feaster did no favours with Sven when he pretty much told the media that Sven was guaranteed a spot on the team after the emergency call up season. Yes Feaster might be better at telling players and their parents what they want to hear, but keeping it real could be better in the long run for the player.

Granted I can't say that the quotes from Johnny's dad is what I wanted to read.

[Falclore]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Or his new SUV.

Or his hummer in his new SUV?

[CSharp]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Yeah or just look at the opportunity Paul Byron is getting

Byron wasn't even sent back to the AHL during the Olympic break I believe, because they wanted him to feel like a real NHL player.

Byron is small, however, he's proven that he can play in the big league and I'm pretty impressed with his speed and how he actually finishes his forechecking in the offensive zone. Until Gaudreau can show that he belongs in the NHL, he needs to prove it, just like Byron, Cammi, Theo, and Joey Mullen. Just in case he becomes like another Fata, I think if he gets his degree like his mom would like him to, it'll further him in the future rather than waste more time mulling over the what-if's.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Falclore

Or his hummer in his new SUV?

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by TheKing

I'm going to say he is going to be the next Kane or better...or close.

Kane had multiple 80+ point seasons in the NHL by the time he was Jhonnys age.

Some peoples expectations are way to high for him and have almost no chance of being met.

[Soliak]

Originally Posted by RyZ

Kane had multiple 80+ point seasons in the NHL by the time he was Jhonnys age.

Some peoples expectations are way to high for him and have almost no chance of being met.

While I agree with you, you do realise Kane only has a single 80 point season in his career, right?