[News] Johnson: Flames fans patiently wait for Gaudreau

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by blah blah

*Some* Flames fans patiently wait for Gaudreau

Agreed. I can't wait patiently, want this guy locked up and playing for the Flames asap.

[edslunch]

he's Flames property for at least the next two and a bit years. How about everyone chill for a while

[zunie75]

College games live look fun, compared to the usual snore fest a lot of NHL arenas appear to have going.

If he starts his Flames career early and fails. Then you guys rip him like Backlund. I say, let him finish what he's doing and ease him into pro.

[BigRed]

Gaudreau doesn't have a lot left to gain or learn from the college game. He's already dominant there. He needs to take the next step.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by BigRed

Gaudreau doesn't have a lot left to gain or learn from the college game. He's already dominant there. He needs to take the next step.

I agree with the first two sentences, but I have no problem with him taking another year to continue to physically mature. Another 10-15 pounds and additional leg strength would do him wonders competing at the next level.

Also, I imagine it would be a heck of a lot easier to earn his diploma with three years of college under his belt, as opposed to two.

I really wouldn't be surprised to see both Agostino and Gaudreau inked when next years college season is over, much like Hanowski was this year.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by BigRed

Gaudreau doesn't have a lot left to gain or learn from the college game. He's already dominant there. He needs to take the next step.

Spending even more time continuing to build on his small stature? There's really nothing wrong with 'overdeveloping' prospects especially if they're as boom-bust as Gaudreau.

[Vulcan]

I guess writers get paid to incite the fans but I didn't like the article. It stinks of manipulation.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Originally Posted by Anduril

Spending even more time continuing to build on his small stature? There's really nothing wrong with 'overdeveloping' prospects especially if they're as boom-bust as Gaudreau.

Can't like this from tapatalk.. But my sentiments exactly. It's not like he's physically in his prime and we are watching him lose valuable playing time. He looks like he's taken huge steps since I'd last seen pics of him, and if he makes the same progress this year (as well as achieving the personal goals he's set for himself) I feel that it's a win-win for the franchise and player.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by BigRed

Gaudreau doesn't have a lot left to gain or learn from the college game. He's already dominant there. He needs to take the next step.

He could use the time to mature physically - but more importantly, finish his degree and play hockey with his younger brother.

The Flames need to be supportive of him and let him take his time - if they get pushy with him, then why would he want to sign with them?

Be supportive of the kid all the way through college, that's the only real option for the Flames. Any sort of pressure they apply will do nothing but drive Gaudreau away.

[Clarkey]

He'll be playing for the Flames. He just wants some time to get bigger, get another year of education and to play with his brother.

[LouCypher]

I think the Flames have done just fine with American players in the past, many end up loving the city so I really don't see much concern there. Plus he knows he will have every opportunity to prove himself here so I don't feel he is of any risk to sign elsewhere unless the team in 2 years looks like it will be to hard to crack.

[FAN]

I will start to worry if Gaudreau decides to return for his senior year.

[Roof-Daddy]

Just to be clear, the EARLIEST Gaudreau could ever be a free agent, would be August 15th 2015, correct?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Just to be clear, the EARLIEST Gaudreau could ever be a free agent, would be August 15th 2015, correct?

If a drafted College player leaves school prior to the start of his senior year, his drafting team holds his rights until June 1, four years after his draft. Once a player starts play in his senior year, the date changes to August 15 following the completion of his senior year.

In Gaudreau's case, technically, he could become a free agent on June 1, 2015, but that would require him to leave college prior to the start of his senior year (so, before September 2014) and choosing to not sign with the Flames and just taking a year off (if he went to Russia, the Flames would declare him a defected player, which would extend his rights until he turned 27).

That is an extremely unlikely scenario, so realistically, the earliest he can become a free agent is August 15, 2015 (possibly the 16th, I'm not sure if the 15th is the last day the team holds his rights, or if it's the first day he'd be a UFA).


If it does come to that, the Flames will still have four months warning and can work out a trade with a team that he's willing to sign with. As long as he didn't give the Flames a list of just one team that he'd be willing to sign with, they could still get a bidding war going and something decent in return for his rights.


Of course, this is all needless hand wringing for something that isn't even a potential problem for two years, and for which there has been zero indication there will be a problem.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by getbak

If a drafted College player leaves school prior to the start of his senior year, his drafting team holds his rights until June 1, four years after his draft. Once a player starts play in his senior year, the date changes to August 15 following the completion of his senior year.

In Gaudreau's case, technically, he could become a free agent on June 1, 2015, but that would require him to leave college prior to the start of his senior year (so, before September 2014) and choosing to not sign with the Flames and just taking a year off (if he went to Russia, the Flames would declare him a defected player, which would extend his rights until he turned 27).

That is an extremely unlikely scenario, so realistically, the earliest he can become a free agent is August 15, 2015 (possibly the 16th, I'm not sure if the 15th is the last day the team holds his rights, or if it's the first day he'd be a UFA).


If it does come to that, the Flames will still have four months warning and can work out a trade with a team that he's willing to sign with. As long as he didn't give the Flames a list of just one team that he'd be willing to sign with, they could still get a bidding war going and something decent in return for his rights.


Of course, this is all needless hand wringing for something that isn't even a potential problem for two years, and for which there has been zero indication there will be a problem.

That's what I thought, thank you.

So in reality, some Flames fans don't fear Johnny will pull a "Schultz" on us (because he can't), but rather that he might pull a "Corban Knight" on us.

That's the worst case scenario, and in that instance the Flames would probably at least be able to snag a pick for his rights. Personally, I'm not worried that it will happen though. I think he will happily sign with us when he decides to turn pro.

[Żoso]

I'm pretty sure he will remain with the Flames organization.

[Lanny_McDonald]

It would be awesome if Gaudreau developed some instant chemistry with a few guys from camp and made him that much more inclined to commit to the Flames. He's a key player moving forward, so I hope the Flames are doing everything they can to make him realize that.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

From the sounds of the Connie interview this morning the Flames are totally fine with him playing college this year but will start pressuring him more to sign next summer. I assume if he wins the Hobey Baker, and plays with his brother he will have accomplished his college goals and will be ready for pro

I think it's a big help that Connie and Gaudreau share the same agent, Connie hated leaving Calgary and it showed. Fairly certain the agent has nothing but good things to say about the organization and the city.

[foshizzle11]

It would be great to have the flames dive bomb this coming season and then have guys like Gaudreau, Monahan and others have another year in the NCAA or minors and then come in the 2014/2015 season and play a lot of minutes. Will be interesting to see what he does.

I think playing with his brother and winning the Hobey Baker award will probably help him come to the Flames earlier.

[kehatch]

I think this debate is a year early. Right now there is nothing to worry about. We own his rights for another 2-years.

But if he returns to college next season then there is a legitimate concern.

He might return to college for all of the right reasons. But regardless of his motives he will still be faced with the decision to go UFA in the off season.

At that point to you want to play for the team that drafted you, that has a number of other college prospects (Knight, Jankowski, Arnold, etc), that has treated you well, and where you will get a lot of opportunity?

Or do you want to play for the team you cheered for growing up, that is a contender, and that is close to home.

If I was in the position it would be a tough decision for me when the time came.

But again, lets see if it is an issue come next season. Worst case we can trade him for a decent return to Boston.