Gaudreau Progress / Development

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Poe969

Completely agree about people coming to a thread to complain about that thread, same thing happens in the trade thread.

As for Johnny, I think he just needs time to get used to the system and the system needs to get used to him too. He isn't getting the chances most of us think he deserves but is that because they're on a road trip and coach can't get the match ups he wants or is it that the coach doesn't want to use him in certain situations. It's too early to tell either way but I think Johnny is going to have to do something drastic to make an impression in order to be given those chances.

I think as soon as he figures it out, he'll be our most offensive player (mostly because we don't have many other options)

I think sometimes players like Gaudreau are difficult to form chemistry with because they think outside of the box so much.... other players aren't sure what to do. I recall Huselius having the same issues at times.

More time could be the best remedy for Gaudreau. I really do think that given his size and the fact he is a first year pro, that his ice time needs to be managed. It would be a terrible idea to put him out there against the other teams top players all the time. The negative side effect of that though is that he is not always going to be playing along side the top players on this team and his production will suffer.

[Vinny01]

I think it will take him a while to breakout. Sounds like flames will be patient with him bio suspect he will have a really strong last 20-30 games this year

[Goriders]

he's definitely working hard. Wehn he's on teh ice he's probably the hardest back checker. I'm betting it'll take a month for him to get acclimatized. If he scores his first goal that will make a huge difference.

Having said that, if he doesn't keep developing after a month or so it might be a good idea for him to spend some time on teh farm team.

My only concern is that he loses all of his confidence. That's why I think him scoring a goal would be a huge break through.

[Heavy Jack]

I think Johnny is playing fine, just small flashes so far offensively but he is the first guy back on the backcheck, makes smart stick plays in the d zone, smart first passes or carries out of the d zone, I remember the one play he got drilled along the boards in the d zone last night where he still regained composer and got the puck out before changing. He is a very methodical player at times, you can actually see him think the game which is awesome, give him time and he will start to shred it up offensively, be happy that he isn't a defensive liability like many thought he would be.

[Badgers Nose]

where is the 'this thread is stupid' guy?

JH has no points but is singled out most games by the hockey experts and commentary people as a good performer.

He fore checks and back checks like a pit bull. His 200 foot game is incredible for a first year player.

Coach is promoting him up the lineup.

Maybe your standards are unrealistic.

[CsInMyBlood]

Misused by Hartley. Colborne and Raymond do not compliment Johnny's game.

Put him with Byron and Backlund and I guarantee that magic will happen.

The other team won't ever get to touch the puck.

[Heavy Jack]

And what if that combo doesnt work right away??? Put him with Money and Huds because then he will definitely start scoring? I think Hartley is introducing him to the line-up perfectly, give him more than 2 games to gel with someone before throwing him into another new different situation. People need to realize that Johnny probably has one of the toughest starts you can have as a rookie starting the first 6 of 7 on the road. He said he's adjusting from the fact that he could go home to his own bed after a game in BC, there are a lot of adjustments for him and not just in the game but with learning the day to days of an NHLer and the travel that comes with it. Is Johnny playing a smart 200 foot game? Yes, would he have a better chance to create offense with Backs/Byron?? Yes he most likely could but Colborne/Raymond aren't poor players for Johnny to be learning from either and I think the biggest thing we need give him right now is patience.

[Rerun]

Had to re-quote this just for this..

Originally Posted by Igster

Exactly. Get so sick of threads being brought up on a "discussion" forum and all the dick posts or posts to see how many thanks they can get. Really wish this forum would do away with the Thanks option to maybe stop some of the trolling.

Now as to the thread, he does look a little timid. Hopefully with a bit more time, things will get better.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

Misused by Hartley. Colborne and Raymond do not compliment Johnny's game.

Put him with Byron and Backlund and I guarantee that magic will happen.

The other team won't ever get to touch the puck.

Considering that Backlund is regularly deployed against the top forwards in the NHL, I seriously doubt that this would be the case.

Both points have been mentioned already, but it seems likely to me that Gaudreau's quiet NHL start is a product of the following: first, a big adjustment to get his timing and grasp of space at the highest level of hockey in the world. Second, a near-equally big adjustment starting his rookie season with so many games on the road.

I don't really think there are any "Gaudreau troubles" to speak of at this point. He was probably always going to have an offensively underwhelming first 20 games or so. But I really don't think that he will get sent down; at least not before US thanksgiving.

[Robo]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

Misused by Hartley. Colborne and Raymond do not compliment Johnny's game.

Put him with Byron and Backlund and I guarantee that magic will happen.

The other team won't ever get to touch the puck.

He's not being misused he needs to ease into the NHL playing with backlund and Byron is pretty much putting him on our first line against the toughest competition he will move up eventually this season but right now he's still adjusting to the nhl

[Rerun]

I seem to have missed the rule where you cannot initiate a discussion (unless that discussion is completely 100% positive) about a rookie and his play and his line mates, before a certain number of games have passed. Obviously, from the number of comments here, 4 games is way below the limit.

So just to clarify things... when are we allowed to discuss Gaudreau and his line mates? 10 games? 15 games? 20 games? More?

Just asking. I don't want to get into trouble with all the smart xxxxx here.

[cannon7]

Monahan isn't playing exceptionally well early on either, we're just focusing in on Gaudreau because he's the new kid.

[bubbsy]

here's my 2 (useless) cents regarding gaudreau thus far.

It might be quite difficult, or at least take longer, for him to be able to do his thing with the flames. he's a player that needs the puck on his stick to make things happen. That means the flames need to have the puck inside or entering the offensive zone.

On the lines he's played with thus far (primarily wiht colborne) they just haven't really had the puck much. Furthermore, dumping the puck in is difficult as gaudreau needs to learn how to be effective on trying to win a puck along the walls, regardless of his size (see byron). So him not having the puck, which can be attributed to his line not possessing hte puck can be attributed to at least some extent to the line not being able to win back the puck, which can be attributed to gaudreau not being able to contribute as far as puck retrieval goes on the forecheck.

you can't play him with backlund who actually does drive solid offensive possession, because backlund's line is the least sheltered line and is usually lined up against the toughest opposition. perhaps getting him on the line with monahan/hudler would work, given that hudler is able to use his puck skills to navigate the offensive zone and create some space.

i get the "always earned" stuff, and i think setoguchi is looking better and better with the opportunity/minutes he's been given. However, getting gaudreau PP time, even if he hasn't earned it per say, is critical. 5 on 5 he just isn't getting enough time touching the puck, and i think that's a massive part of his game. Getting him some time with the puck on the PP is important in him getting more comfortable. Watching him run around trying to get the puck back from the other team hasn't been all that fruitful thus far.

i'm not saying he should be demoted or anything just yet. I do, however, also think fans shouldn't be surprised or upset if the coaching staff decide to sit him every once in a while, and let him get a birds eye view on the game from the press box. he's a high IQ player, and really do think getting a different vantage will be useful for him as he adjusts to the pro game.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Rerun

I seem to have missed the rule where you cannot initiate a discussion (unless that discussion is completely 100% positive) about a rookie and his play and his line mates, before a certain number of games have passed. Obviously, from the number of comments here, 4 games is way below the limit.

So just to clarify things... when are we allowed to discuss Gaudreau and his line mates? 10 games? 15 games? 20 games? More?

Just asking. I don't want to get into trouble with all the smart xxxxx here.

The xxxxx being "fanboys" The guys that are happy with the Flames and any analysis that doesn't fully support them (and Hartley and Burke and Trevling) being the very best lottery team in the History of the NHL.

While they don't want to actually want to follow the Oiler model of the re-build they want the fan base to follow the Oiler fan base.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Maybe he is on a Skittle shortage...

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by cannon7

Monahan isn't playing exceptionally well early on either, we're just focusing in on Gaudreau because he's the new kid.

really? i actually think monahan has looked better and better. He led the team in shots with 6 which represented more than 20% of the teams shots last night and was over 60% in the faceoff circle. He hasn't got the points yet, but his game is definitely looking good and he is having a positive impact on the team

[CliffFletcher]

The NCAA isn't the NHL.
The WJHC isn't the NHL.
The WHC isn't the NHL.
An NHL rookie camp isn't the NHL.
The NHL pre-season isn't the NHL.

The NHL is a big jump and transition from every other league in the world. People who expected Gaudreau to come into the NHL and play right away like he did in other leagues were kidding themselves. It will take time to learn and adjust.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

where is the 'this thread is stupid' guy?

JH has no points but is singled out most games by the hockey experts and commentary people as a good performer.

He fore checks and back checks like a pit bull. His 200 foot game is incredible for a first year player.

Coach is promoting him up the lineup.

Maybe your standards are unrealistic.

Bingo. The points will come. Also. Hartley has a history of starting prospects in limited roles and moving them up over time. Gaudreau will get his power play minutes in time.

[FlamesAddiction]

If Gaudreau struggles with production and someone from the farm emerges (hoping for Baertschi), I would expect management to rotate them. They really need to validate to the prospects, whether on the farm or in the NHL, that there is competition for their job.

Some of the expectations are way out of line. This will be a developmental season for Gaudreau, as should be the case. It isn't realistic to expect him to graduate from college prospect to NHL player without a transition period.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

yes and all this talk about playing in the same "style" as Gretzky and being the next Paul Kariya does nothing but add to those ridiculous expectations

Attempting to lump all posters into a single, organic entity is just as silly.

On every topic, there will always be a full distribution of views, from the most extreme on one side to the most extreme on the other.

Trying to piece together posts from different people and then judge them as a group seems kind of pointless to me.

Oh, and Gaudreau will be fine - it's 4 games