Arnold/Gaudreau signing watch

[Five-hole]

Originally Posted by TheDebaser

At this point, is there any way that Johnny could live up to expectations?

Honestly, I just want to give him the opportunity to make it and see if he can. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of us feel the same way.

I think if he couldn't translate to the NHL there wouldn't be a lot of people jumping off the centre street bridge. But maybe I'm underestimating ...

[Wastedyouth]

I'm quite excited for Arnold. While his ceiling isn't as high as Johnny's. I think his floor is much higher.

I think the kid is probably gonna be a very very good middle 6 player.

[saXon]

Originally Posted by neo45

I'd rather he pull a Schultz and not sign with us than pull a Schultz and be as bad as Justin Schultz


Neither is going to happen

I'd rather him not smear his reputation. Or even be put in the same class level as Justin Schultz. Two totally different worlds.

[Textcritic]

This is pretty incredible, and ridiculous all at the same time.

Has there ever been such a highly anticipated NHL player debut in the Flames' history? When was the last time ANY prospect has generated this kind of excitement before he has even played a professional hockey game? What makes this really astonishing is that this storm of scrutiny and anxiety surrounds—not a blue-chip first rounder, or some enigma being smuggled out of Eastern Europe. Rather, the hype envelopes a pint-sized, unassuming former fourth round draft pick.

Think about that for a minute.

In my mind, the pre-professional anticipation is comparable to the summer of 2005 leading up to Sidney Crosby's NHL debut. I think the reason for that is the unknown variables all at play here. Crosby emerged from the CHL as the most dominant player in decades, but was entering a new era NHL in which no one really knew how well his game would really translate. There were questions about his size and strength, especially emerging from the clutch-and-hold era that largely ended in 2004. I think we all knew he would be a good player, but when there is a player who is THAT FAR AHEAD of his playing peers it is difficult to project how good he can really be. Did anyone really expect Crosby to be a 100 point player in his rookie year? Did anyone expect him to flirt with the 1.5 pts/game mark at the highest level of hockey?

I'm not trying to compare Gaudreau's potential to Crosby, only the situation. However, his situation is really similar. He is not just the best player in college hockey. He is arguably the best player to play in the NCAA for the last several decades. Maybe ever?

All this from a fourth round pick. It's amazing, and very, very cool.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by TheKing

...Obviously it’s a different game from when most of those players reached the 60+ NHLE.
In fact, there’s only been four players to reach the mark in the past 15 years, which likely means the lower leagues likely had different translation factors back in the day. Therefore, hitting the 60+ NHLE mark in today’s modern era is all that more impressive...

I am very interested to know more about this. Who are the four players you allude to? Is there somewhere that I can see an historical listing of players' NHLEs?

[UKflames]

This is a great thread but i am glad that i slept through all of it, easier to read after the fact.

Has he signed yet???????

[McG]

Its 2:15am, and there are 15 CPers and 42 guests on this thread.

[J79]

Originally Posted by UKflames

This is a great thread but i am glad that i slept through all of it, easier to read after the fact.

Has he signed yet???????

Same here.
Sometimes it pays off to be a European Flames fan...

[Shawnski]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Has there ever been such a highly anticipated NHL player debut in the Flames' history?

Sergei Makarov

[dino7c]

why is there so much hype? the kid put up 80 points in 40 games in the NCAA which in my opinion is a better league than it ever has been.

2 years ago this kid dominated Canada at the world juniors and they had some pretty good (and big) players on their roster.


Will he live up to the hype or even be an NHL player? who knows, but after years of having no young guys to look forward to I for one am enjoying talking about prospects/young players

[MyFlamesFirst]

Originally Posted by McG

Its 2:15am, and there are 15 CPers and 42 guests on this thread.

I am waiting until he signs.....don't judge me.

[Samiz]

Originally Posted by McG

Its 2:15am, and there are 15 CPers and 42 guests on this thread.

Just waiting for Johnny to wake up

[TheKing]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I am very interested to know more about this. Who are the four players you allude to? Is there somewhere that I can see an historical listing of players' NHLEs?

Kane, Crosby, Malkin, Kolvalchuk
P. Kane 62
Crosby 67
Malkin 69
Kovalchuk 77
Gaudreau 68

Take in mind when Johnny was drafted he had 25 NHLE, nothing special. A difference of 43 in one year.
Looking at the list of 25+ players to have recorded a 60+ NHLE going into their first pro year, every single one of them went on to be a superstar except for one. (Alexandre Daigle)

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by TheKing

Kane, Crosby, Malkin, Kolvalchuk
P. Kane 62
Crosby 67
Malkin 69
Kovalchuk 77
Gaudreau 68

Take in mind when Johnny was drafted he had 25 NHLE, nothing special. A difference of 43 in one year.
Looking at the list of 25+ players to have recorded a 60+ NHLE going into their first pro year, every single one of them went on to be a superstar except for one.

That will get corrected soon.

[UK flame]

Originally Posted by Samiz

Just waiting for Johnny to wake up

Anyone have his number? Can we call and get him up now?

[Wastedyouth]

As a Middle East based CPer, I am hoping that when I wake up tomorrow morn, which will by your tonight, he has signed and is ready to play Sunday.

I can go to work for the next month on Iraq happy.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

That will get corrected soon.

So, you figure that there will then be more than one who did not go one to be a superstar? I understand that nothing is guaranteed, but these numbers suggest that that is the direction that Gaudreau is trending. I'm becoming progressively more optimistic with every barrier that he continues to smash through.

[anwar]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

As a Middle East based CPer, I am hoping that when I wake up tomorrow morn, which will by your tonight, he has signed and is ready to play Sunday.

I can go to work for the next month on Iraq happy.

That make two of us working here in Iraq following CP ON A DAILY basis

[Hugh Jahrmes]

I'm assuming a lot of the beef Burke has recently brought in (van brobrahbrantbro, westgarth etc) can't wait to have their stats padded by Johnny when he likely ends up with them for protection. Can't wait to see this guy get his feet wet

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

So, you figure that there will then be more than one who did not go one to be a superstar? I understand that nothing is guaranteed, but these numbers suggest that that is the direction that Gaudreau is trending. I'm becoming progressively more optimistic with every barrier that he continues to smash through.

I was meaning that number will be zero soon. Because he's so elusive, the only other guy that's as shifty or better is Datsyuk off the top of my head, he should be fine even though he's so small.

back in July, he was by far the best talent on the ice. It was literally like watching an All-Star in his prime lace them up with the kids to show'em how it's done.

Unless he hits a wall, which anything can happen, I could easily see him putting up 70+ point seasons on a regular basis. He just has too good of a shot, too good hands, too good on ice vision, too fast and too smart to not reach his potential.