Gaudreau Progress / Development

[Phil Russell]

Absolutely not worried about the lack of points. Pleased with the fact that he hasn't been physically destroyed, hasn't made too many bonehead plays, and that he is surviving and learning and not hurting the team while doing so. Patience. He's doing fine. That said, if the coaches think he should go down to the AHL I am OK with that as well. The coaches know far better what Johnny needs than we do. Until they make a decision that clearly doesn't work in terms of his development, I have no reason to second guess where he is playing.

[puckedoff]

He'll get better matchups once the team is back playing at the 'Dome and he'll start getting his chances then.

[442scotty]

For those wanting to send him down to the "A"... The AHL is a gong show this year so far... Im sure he can learn a lot down there watching all the fighting, goonery and god knows what else.. He would be too busy trying to avoid all the dirty play. And, WTF !!!... How are any of our young guys going to get better playing in the AHL which seems to be somewhat of a joke league right now !!

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Gaudreau sitting tonight per Millions

[burn_this_city]

I think he's rushing things too much. A night watching from above will help.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by BChockeyJunkie

The fact that some people on CP judge a player on point totals is beyond me.

He has not been put in a role to produce.
-His line mates
-His Ice time
-His Backchecking

I totally understand bringing him in slow and not putting alot of pressure on him early But what I don't understand is why do they play him with his current line? AND HOW DO YOU KEEP HIM OFF THE ICE IN OT 4v4......??? What? 2 games in a row?!?!?!?

I think he is a B+ so far, and with more chances given by the management the more "numbers" you will see.

I agree with everything you said, but keep in mind, they are trying to give him the ice time he's earned, not give him the ice time so he can try to earn it. It's very early and it'll come

[PeteMoss]

His linemates are top scoring forward and the 3rd scoring forward on the team. His linemates are fine. Its not like there's some uber talents elsewhere that would help things. Hudler is the most talented guy but he's basically a veteran Gaudreau and Backlund gets all the tough match-ups that you want to Gaudreau to avoid.

[PeteMoss]

And the guy is here to produce points. He's not a defensive specialist or checker. Like it or not that's how he's going to be judged.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

And the guy is here to produce points. He's not a defensive specialist or checker. Like it or not that's how he's going to be judged.

Hard to get points when you get not PP or OT time, and get limited minutes.

I agree he has looked tentative at times, but I'm not sure he's necessarily being put in a position to succeed either.

[Beatle17]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Noticed this.

I saw Gaudreau's line cycling the puck in the offensive zone ONCE in the entire chicago game. I mean they had a couple rushes up ice and he made the one nice move, but I've rarely even seen his line able to maintain the cycle for a full shift. I partly blame his linemates and the D for not being able to hold the zone for any sustained period but we've barely been able to see Johnny do things in the offensive zone because it seems to be a one and done deal with his line. They'll make a rush, but then the play instantly moves back the other way. That's why I hate that he's with Colborne and Raymond, who can't seem to cycle effectively. Also Colborne has (despite his assist total) become a bit of a puck hog when in the opposition's end. I've seen Johnny try to feed him many times, but rarely does Colborne seem to actually look for Johnny out there.

Really frustrating situation as a fan but if he can break through and start to make things happen in a tough situation like this, then he should be much better for it as a player.

Just a question (only using your post to ask it) but multiple people keep using the example of his line mates not doing things to help him out, but isn't he part of the line that should be doing things also to help out the line? I think in time he will become a good player, maybe even and great one, but he has to contribute to how the line plays just as much as they need to do things to get him the puck.

[BChockeyJunkie]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

His linemates are top scoring forward and the 3rd scoring forward on the team. His linemates are fine. Its not like there's some uber talents elsewhere that would help things. Hudler is the most talented guy but he's basically a veteran Gaudreau and Backlund gets all the tough match-ups that you want to Gaudreau to avoid.

I know he hasn't been highlight reel good.... but is there a chance that he is good for the line but the line isn't good for him.

dump and chase.
more selfish early pucks to the net.
uncreative play.

Im not downing any of his linemates skill, just don't think the skillsets match for productive numbers for gaudreau. Thanks all, and I think the numbers coincide with the claim. The highest +/- line, most points line, but 1 shot 0 pts for gaudreau

[djsFlames]

Johnny's been trying to feed his linemates in transition on a consistent basis. But the plays constantly dies on their sticks. Then he eventually tries to do something himself and makes something happen later in a game when they fail to generate anything. I've seen Colborne try to carry the puck in himself to make a play (just to lose it) more times than I've seen him look for Johnny to make a play. These aren't suitable linemates, they run and gun but can't cycle the puck. You need a line that can drive possession once in a while and can get him the puck in the offensive zone to actually serve his purpose for being on the team. How is that not simple to see or understand? Well that's the problem I'm seeing here.

[PeteMoss]

The Flames don't have enough good players to have a line that drives possession and doesn't get matched up against top players.

How many forwards on the Flames actually can drive possession - Backlund and Hudler? Those guys are going to playing against the Kanes and Keiths of the world and Gaudreau isn't ready for that.

And I see just as many passes that Gaudreau misses because he's worried he's going to get smoked than I do where the play dies with Colborne and Raymond. He'll figure it out, but right now he's not doing much and blaming his linemates who have actually produced seems ridiculous.

[FlamesAddiction]

Keep in mind that if you play Gaudreau with the best offensive players consistently, you are also likely going to be playing him against the other teams hardest players. It's something you do not necessarily want to do with a rookie.

I love Gaudreau's attitude though. He is still showing confidence and even if he is scratched, he is determined to make that experience count.

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

The Flames don't have enough good players to have a line that drives possession and doesn't get matched up against top players.

How many forwards on the Flames actually can drive possession - Backlund and Hudler? Those guys are going to playing against the Kanes and Keiths of the world and Gaudreau isn't ready for that.

And I see just as many passes that Gaudreau misses because he's worried he's going to get smoked than I do where the play dies with Colborne and Raymond. He'll figure it out, but right now he's not doing much and blaming his linemates who have actually produced seems ridiculous.

Oh come on. Johnny isn't constantly bailing out on passes because he is afraid. What a crock.

Other than the hat-trick game against Edmonton, Colborne and Raymond have not looked good at all. Colborne has 3 shots all season. They have not produced. They have not created anything. How anyone can argue that Colborne and Raymond are a good fit with the game Johnny plays hasn't been watching the games.

I'm fine with Gaudreau sitting. I can totally understand. I however don't understand why Jooris is instantly getting Monahan and Hudler as linemates, when Johnny has only had the opportunity to play with Colborne and Raymond. Jooris is projected to be a 3rd-4th line energy guy, yet he is called up and instantly put on a top two line? Johnny is projected to be a top six player, but has only played on the third line?

Seems legit.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

Oh come on. Johnny isn't constantly bailing out on passes because he is afraid. What a crock.

Other than the hat-trick game against Edmonton, Colborne and Raymond have not looked good at all. Colborne has 3 shots all season. They have not produced. They have not created anything. How anyone can argue that Colborne and Raymond are a good fit with the game Johnny plays hasn't been watching the games.

I don't think that that is what is being argued. Rather, it is more that there are not a lot of great fits from Gaudreau's game to begin with because overall the team is not good at driving possession. I see it more for him as a chance to get minutes, and to play with a pair of players that can skate well, while at the same time not with the added concern of being on the ice with the opposing team's best players on a nightly basis. This is how one shelters a player.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

While I agree that Gaudreau and Colborne do not seem to be a good fit, I can't see how you can blame Colborne for it. He is playing as well as could be expected. Same with Raymond. It isn't a question of blaming Gaudreau, but I think it is fair to question his production and question if it might be better to send him the the AHL. I think a night in the press box is a really good idea.

[transplant99]

It's the entirely right call to sit him tonight. He has ONE shot on net in 5 games. .that is not good enough. It appears that the jump to regular season intensity has been a bit much for him....so let him sit and reset and see what he does in Winnipeg or when they get home.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I don't think that that is what is being argued. Rather, it is more that there are not a lot of great fits from Gaudreau's game to begin with because overall the team is not good at driving possession. I see it more for him as a chance to get minutes, and to play with a pair of players that can skate well, while at the same time not with the added concern of being on the ice with the opposing team's best players on a nightly basis. This is how one shelters a player.

I think people are concerned that by 'sheltering' Gaudreau we are not giving him sympathetic linemates to play with which would allow him to play his game. We played St. Louis on a lesser line too, and when he didn't produce we got rid of him. I think that's what the paranoia is about. I have friends who have already decided that Johnny's a bust because he can't produce at the NHL level. It's silly but there it is.

[Nme-Territory]

I see no problem with sitting him. He is lacking a bit of confidence out there and keeping him in the lineup (especially for road games) is not the best for him or the team. He's a smart, grounded kid and pulling him from the lineup early in the season won't hurt him.

Confidence has to be built piece by piece, by setting realistic and attainable goals. Coming in and saying "I'm going to be the face of the franchise"... *cough*sven*cough*... is one of the quickest ways create a discrepancy between your actual performance and your goals... this kill confidence. I like that they are not handling the new rising stars in the same fashion. One step at a time.

Flames ain't gotta Oil.