[GDT] Rookies report!

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

I hope Bennett absolutely lights up the OHL this season and has a great WJC tourney. Could be a great year for him.

Yeah me too, my greedy side hopes he makes the team now.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

i remember last year at this time, if someone was to have asked me to give my opinion on whether monahan was going to play in the NHL all year, i would have put it at under a 20% chance (ie. 80% he'll be back in junior).

excited to see if Bennet can "Shock" management into a tough decision come end of camp.

I was pretty convinced Monahan was making the team full time last season pretty much after he got drafted. All things being equal if circumstances were exactly the same I think Bennett would have are the team this year. A few reasons why I think he won't.
- Treliving is in charge not Feaster
- Backlund was far more of a "?" last year but came into his own
- Granlund, Reinhart, Gaudreau were further back in development (in Johnny's case in the NCAA)
- there was no one like Monahan on the team (Monny had much less competition with current flames and prospects than Sam had)
- Lastly Bennett seems to play a more "chippy" game where he might need more size to really play his game at the NHL level

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by MattyC

While St. Louis is comparable, play-wise, to Gaudreau, the only thing he and Cammy have in common is that they are short.

Majority of St. Louis' weight is in his legs. I imagine he had similar advice for Gaudreau, just to avoid getting too worried about bulk. If he spent his entire summer in the weightroom punding protein shakes trying to get buffed up, it would likely be detrimental to his progress.

Kane pushes 180, but doesn't have the insane legs that St. Louis does. All of this is completely dependent on body type, which is why the IMO best advice is to be as fit as possible rather than trying to reach a target weight.

I also doubt that St. Louis and Cammy were at those weights in their rookie seasons. My guess is it took at least a few years of growing into men before they hit that mass.

IIRC ST. Louis advised Johnny to build up his legs.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by MattyC

While St. Louis is comparable, play-wise, to Gaudreau, the only thing he and Cammy have in common is that they are short.

Majority of St. Louis' weight is in his legs. I imagine he had similar advice for Gaudreau, just to avoid getting too worried about bulk. If he spent his entire summer in the weightroom punding protein shakes trying to get buffed up, it would likely be detrimental to his progress.

Kane pushes 180, but doesn't have the insane legs that St. Louis does. All of this is completely dependent on body type, which is why the IMO best advice is to be as fit as possible rather than trying to reach a target weight.

I also doubt that St. Louis and Cammy were at those weights in their rookie seasons. My guess is it took at least a few years of growing into men before they hit that mass.

Except that is probably exactly what he did.

I don't get why people think a professional athlete is going to get too 'buff' over one off-season. They guys are extremely active, and train extremely hard. It will always be a challenge to gain muscle mass. I'm positive they are all 'pounding' in as much healthy food as they can.

[MissTeeks]

http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/...060/story.html

Expectations, however, have been tempered.

New general manager Brad Treliving has been insistent that the teenager is a long-shot to make the opening day roster, perhaps purposely relieving any pressure on the player and resisting temptations to contrast Bennett’s progress with Sean Monahan a year ago.

Still Bennett, who said he’d been in contact with Treliving throughout the off-season (“He told me not to worry about what everyone was saying”), plans on making the decision difficult.

“I’m here to change their mind,” said Bennett who signed a three-year, entry level contract in July. “If that’s what they’re thinking, I’m going to do everything I can in training camp and the exhibition games to change their mind and prove to them I am ready to play.”

“About a week ago, I dropped my brother (Matthew, a sophomore at Boston College this year) off in his dorm and helped him move in,” Gaudreau said following Thursday’s testing. “I saw my whole senior class.

“A little different than the past few summers going into school, but it’s a good change.”

Especially if he is awarded an extended visit with the Flames, into next week’s main camp (starting Sept. 18) and into the 2014-15 exhibition season which begins with a split squad game on Sept. 21 against the Edmonton Oilers.

“I just need to play to the best of my ability and help the team win,” said the five-foot-nine speedster who said he weighed in at an even 160 pounds on Thursday. “Whether that’s scoring, making plays, in the defensive zone, I just need to make the players better around me on the ice.

“That’ll probably make me have a successful tournament this weekend.”

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Not needed, beefing up would actually take away from his shifty ability to outmaneuver hits.

Originally Posted by mile

Gaudreau is still at the weight BC listed for him last fall.

He's emphasized in interviews how Martin St. Louis and other small NHL players advised him to not get too big, otherwise it will be harder to stickhandle. It's possible he has maxed out and is in the best shape he can be.

Of the top 100 scorers in the NHL last season, 3 were under 180: Giroux (172lbs; 3rd in scoring); Zuccarello (179lbs; 50th in scoring); and Desharnais (170lbs; 77th in scoring).

I still maintain he needs 10 more pounds to be able to compete night in, night out.

And keep in mind, I had him pencilled into my starting line-up before going back to watch AC's video of Gaudreau's game vs. the Canucks, so I'm no general doubter of his.

[Hackey]

I'm in the boat that hopes Bennett goes back and dominates junior and has a big WJC. Gaudreau I'd like to see dominate the AHL and get called up with injuries. Would much rather these guys take it slow and not have huge expectations on them. Whether we rushed Baertschi or not I just don't want to see a similar situation where it looks like their confidence has fallen. Ease all the prospects in together and slowly. I think it will do wonders for the Flames having these guys build confidence and chemistry together in the AHL.

[driveway]

Does anyone know offhand of any players that Bob Hartley has developed in the past, or who have developed in his system? I'm gonna go take a look through his history, just wondering if anyone already knew of any.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by driveway

Does anyone know offhand of any players that Bob Hartley has developed in the past, or who have developed in his system? I'm gonna go take a look through his history, just wondering if anyone already knew of any.

Tanguay I think? He had him in his rookie season at least.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Hackey

I'm in the boat that hopes Bennett goes back and dominates junior and has a big WJC. Gaudreau I'd like to see dominate the AHL and get called up with injuries. Would much rather these guys take it slow and not have huge expectations on them. Whether we rushed Baertschi or not I just don't want to see a similar situation where it looks like their confidence has fallen. Ease all the prospects in together and slowly. I think it will do wonders for the Flames having these guys build confidence and chemistry together in the AHL.

Yeah, yeah. Sit down Treliving.

Let's go Johnny!

[J epworth]

Originally Posted by driveway

Does anyone know offhand of any players that Bob Hartley has developed in the past, or who have developed in his system? I'm gonna go take a look through his history, just wondering if anyone already knew of any.

Drury, Hejduk, Tanguay, had Savard and Kovy as young players in Atlanta.

[AC]

Originally Posted by driveway

Does anyone know offhand of any players that Bob Hartley has developed in the past, or who have developed in his system? I'm gonna go take a look through his history, just wondering if anyone already knew of any.

When he started in Colorado, he had 22 year olds Milan Hejduk and Chris Drury, and 23 year old Adam Deadmarsh. 19 year old Alex Tanguay the following season.

While in Atlanta, he coached Ilya Kovalchuk at 19, Braydon Coburn at 20, and Dany Heatley at 21.

[bubbsy]

last year the big question was does monahan make the team.

this year, it's gaudreau, baertchi, bennet.

These training camps are getting so much fun. Remember 5 years ago when the biggest question mark was the last 4th line spot, if that?

Can't wait! I have just assumed gaudrea is a flame on opening day, and am hoping baertchi plays his way onto the opening day roster with a strong camp.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

last year the big question was does monahan make the team.

this year, it's gaudreau, baertchi, bennet.

These training camps are getting so much fun. Remember 5 years ago when the biggest question mark was the last 4th line spot, if that?

Can't wait! I have just assumed gaudrea is a flame on opening day, and am hoping baertchi plays his way onto the opening day roster with a strong camp.

I to liek Gianni and Sevn Barefoot!!11 I hope one or all of both find biology with Joue Couldplay and Yanni Benihana.

[Madman]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

I to liek Gianni and Sevn Barefoot!!11 I hope one or all of both find biology with Joue Couldplay and Yanni Benihana.

9:40, impressive.

[Since1984]

Originally Posted by Madman

9:40, impressive.

It was joke, no?

[bubbsy]

half asleep when i posted, and apparently still half asleep as i read that response.

Not sure i get it....

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

IIRC ST. Louis advised Johnny to build up his legs.

I'm not saying he didn't or shouldn't.

Originally Posted by Azure

Except that is probably exactly what he did.

I don't get why people think a professional athlete is going to get too 'buff' over one off-season. They guys are extremely active, and train extremely hard. It will always be a challenge to gain muscle mass. I'm positive they are all 'pounding' in as much healthy food as they can.

I think you're missing my point. Of course he's been working out. but if that's ALL he did, because he's afraid of being too small, and didn't do on-ice or other variable training, he would be setting himself back. My contention is that some people seem to think he has to be at 180 to be effective in the NHL. I'm saying that there shouldn't be a goal weight for him as much as it should be about being as fit as possible. If he never gets to 180, it doesn't mean he won't be an effective player. It literally has nothing to do with his weight. His strength? Absolutely. But again, 180 is not some magical threshold between "AHLer Gaudreau" and "Superstar Gaudreau". And that people focusing on it as such could through his expectations/goals off for himself (not that he reads anything here). But media insinuating that he needs to change his body type is wrong.

[vanisleflamesfan]

Originally Posted by Madman

I guarantee that's not Bolig, his tattoo is on the other arm.

Pirate: Looks like another homosexual party boat. They always have such nice things. Perhaps we should pay them a visit.
Other Pirate: A deadly visit?.
Pirate: Well, let's play it by ear.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

IIRC ST. Louis advised Johnny to build up his legs.

I'm not saying he didn't or shouldn't.

Originally Posted by Azure

Except that is probably exactly what he did.

I don't get why people think a professional athlete is going to get too 'buff' over one off-season. They guys are extremely active, and train extremely hard. It will always be a challenge to gain muscle mass. I'm positive they are all 'pounding' in as much healthy food as they can.

I think you're missing my point. Of course he's been working out. but if that's ALL he did, because he's afraid of being too small, and didn't do on-ice or other variable training, he would be setting himself back. My contention is that some people seem to think he has to be at 180 to be effective in the NHL. I'm saying that there shouldn't be a goal weight for him as much as it should be about being as fit as possible. If he never gets to 180, it doesn't mean he won't be an effective player. It literally has nothing to do with his weight. His strength? Absolutely. But again, 180 is not some magical threshold between "AHLer Gaudreau" and "Superstar Gaudreau". And that people focusing on it as such could throw his expectations/goals off for himself (not that he reads anything here). But media insinuating that he needs to change his body type is wrong.