[Rumour] McKenzie: Gaudreau & Flames are closing gap, but it's still a considerable gap.

[Schraderbrau]

If your looking for a good comparable, what about Doughty? Drafted by the kings in the middle of a rebuild, had 3 great entry level years where he showed how important he was going to the Kings. Held out through camp and got a deal done just as the season was starting for 8 years at 7 million per, that deal Aligned himself with the elite dmen in the league and with the best players on the Kings. 2 years later wins a Stanley cup.

Let's hope the Johny hockey/Flames story plays out like this one.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

What's with people crapping on a 21 year old Monahan's upside?

So questioning if he'll become Toews - the best Team Canada forward at the Olympics at age 22, playoff MVP, and one of the top two-way centres in the NHL - is crapping on him? I guess if I questioned whether Hamilton will win multiple Norris trophies that would be crapping all over him?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

The right comparison is Iginla. He held out coming off his entry deal and I think missed 3 games before signing

And did not have a soured relationship.

[Crumpy-Gunt]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

What's with people crapping on a 21 year old Monahan's upside?

Gaudreau is 2 years older yet has more room to grow than Sean?

So people's logic is that because Monahan had 62 then 63 point years in his second and third NHL seasons that he has plateaued?

I'd like to understand those posters' reasonings for thinking Monahan wont progress much beyond what he is. There were short stints in his early career where he looked like a dominant center. Flashes, just like with Sam. And people think Bennett is gonna go far. I don't think Monahan has yet brought everything he can. And some things that would make him even better can be taught/learned. He has the IQ, which can't really be taught. I just don't know why the new 'peak' to people around here is 21-23 years old. Because in reality it usually isn't. I don't know why Monahan can't find another gear like Scheifele has at 23, coming into his own as a center and being a more dominant player.

As Cliff has already mentioned...saying it isnt fair to compare Toews to Monahan isnt crapping on Monahan. It isnt about points and position. Sean could have scored 100 points last season and the comparison wouldnt stand.

Werent people just a few years ago calling Toews the best player in the world. There were serious debates about Crosby vs Toews. It isnt an insult to say they (Monny and Toews) are not comparable.

I get the Gaudreau - Kane comparisons. Stylistically they match. Production wise they arent too far off. Both smaller guys who are mercurial play makers that can stick-handle in a phone booth and score.

Sean doesnt play hockey like Toews at all. They are both centers, sure. Toews was a mature/serious guy at a young age like Sean. Sean doesnt impact the game nearly as much, isnt as tenacious or dynamic and doesnt generate offense like Jonathan did and does. There is a considerable gap in skill and ability in my opinion and the comparison is the definition of a stretch.

Sean is a fantastic young player who we were blessed to get at 6th overall. He is a young center developing an effective 2 way game. Great shooter. A responsible, intelligent center with a high hockey IQ. Knows where to go. Good timing and positioning. Dangerous in the slot. Drives the net. That is an incredible young player to have. But does that mean stating he cant be compared to Toews is crapping on him?

I honestly question if some of the people who make that comparison have ever seen Toews play. As someone who has watched the Hawks closely in the past decade...the guy is absolutely special. No doubt one of the best players of this generation. It isnt really fair to Monahan to compare him to Toews imo. The individual talent/skill level is not the same at all. Its not an insult to Monahan it is just a compliment to one of the very best hockey players on the planet.

[sureLoss]

News Update

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/30-thoughts-goalie-equipment-changes-tangled-debate/

Calgary GM Brad Treliving met with Johnny Gaudreau’s agent, Lewis Gross, in New York on Tuesday, then the family joined both men Wednesday in Philadelphia. It sounds like there’s been movement but sometimes the problem is that both sides see themselves as having moved enough and everyone digs in again. I think they are grinding, trying to close. The key is how many UFA years are going to be included. Gaudreau is five years away.

[Lanny'sDaMan]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

News Update

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/30-thoughts-goalie-equipment-changes-tangled-debate/

I owe gaudreauvertime an apology. They did indeed meet with the family.

But I still hate your posting style.

[zyzz]

The family joined the talks? Mamas boy

[MrMastodonFarm]

It's nice that the Gaudreau's are as tight as they are, but why does the family need to be involved with this? How much reassurances about Calgary and Johnny's role on the Flames do Mother need?

That's 2/2 that Gaudreau and his family have dragged out a contract negotiations longer then it needs to be.

[ResAlien]

It's always good news when a player's family's involved in contract talks. Suuuuuuper good news.

[Looch City]

Dad wants a cut of the deal!

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

It's nice that the Gaudreau's are as tight as they are, but why does the family need to be involved with this? How much reassurances about Calgary and Johnny's role on the Flames do Mother need?

That's 2/2 that Gaudreau and his family have dragged out a contract negotiations longer then it needs to be.

His family did support him the entire way and he wouldn't be here without them so I get it. Johnny is probably asking for their input more than them forcing it upon him. I remember an interview where Gio said he calls his dad after every game for input on his play.

[Drak]

Originally Posted by Iggy City

Dad wants a cut of the deal!

A lifetime supply of popcorn.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by AcGold

His family did support him the entire way and he wouldn't be here without them so I get it. Johnny is probably asking for their input more than them forcing it upon him. I remember an interview where Gio said he calls his dad after every game for input on his play.

My family and I are incredibly close, parents and I talk frequently. They've helped me throughout my life and molded me into the amazing handsome successful and cute butt'd man I am today, but I don't have them involved with contract negotiations at work.

Mama Gaudreau's waffling during his first contract is what almost had Conroy and company walk away and return with just Bill Arnold on that private plane.

That being said I could very well be being too harsh and it was Treliving and Burke who invited them to the table.

[Timbo]

Great, first a skittles clause and now my mom does my laundry clause!

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

There is a huge difference between getting support from your family, getting their input, versus you have your family meet with your bosses and they take part of n the negotiating process.

I'm sure all this "family required involvement" is part of the hold up. Having to get 3 Gaudreau's plus the agent all on the same page can't be good. Sort of get it for these players when they are signing their entry level deals, they're that much younger and it's kind of the culmination of a family effort for the most part.

But at this point, Gadreau and his agent should be the only ones talking with the Flames. The last thing any business decision needs are extra people at the table who's main investment in the process is completely emotional.

[AltaGuy]

Yeah, I find that fact about the family strange.

[MrMastodonFarm]

This contract needs to be long term, because I can't imagine going through this again with Gaudreau in 2-3 years.

[AC]

Yeah it seems like a possibility that inviting the family was a Flames management idea. Too little info to judge IMO.

[Alpine Fisher]

I am okay with this. Gaudreau's family has raised 4 great humble successful children.

Its not like we are dealing with other notorious hockey parents, which I won't mention

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by AC

Yeah it seems like a possibility that inviting the family was a Flames management idea. Too little info to judge IMO.

Sure but if the Flames decided they needed to invite the family to the negotiating table (versus just taking them out for a cordial dinner for example) they did so probably for a reason.

And I can't think what that reason would be other than "every time we meet, you guys have to take everything away to the entire family, and then you come back with a thousand more things, why don't we just speed this up and invite everyone who's actually making this decision to the table to negotiate directly".