Really good Gaudreau article

[Heavy Jack]

Was searching to see if I could find anything on Johnny's brother because of this video:



Johnny mentioned the fact that he is really excited to be playing with his Brother at a high level so I was intrigued to see if I could find anything on his brother and his game but ended up finding a really great article on JG.

Link to article

At first, almost everyone overlooked Gaudreau. Northeastern recruited him early, assistant Albie O’Connell spotting something in a kid who looked as though he would never make it at the college level. By 16, Gaudreau was signed.


York had barely heard of him.


Even Greg Cronin, then the coach at Northeastern, had his doubts.


“I said, ‘How the hell is this kid going to play college hockey in a couple years?’ ” Cronin recalled. “He clearly was a really weak-looking kid, very small, very boyish-looking.”


Then Cronin saw him play.


“That’s the first time I actually said that I would pay money to see youth hockey,” said Cronin, now an assistant coach with Toronto. “He was that dynamic in the game. I couldn’t believe how skilled he was, and how extremely competitive.


“His competitiveness was visible right away, and he reminded me a little bit of Wayne Gretzky. That’s a really, really far reach, but in the game I watched, he made plays that you would see once in a decade.”

I'm sure this must have been posted before be there are some really great things in this article on top of that quote. Really excited to see his game progress even further this year, I think he is the legit lock for the Hobey Baker this year if he continues on his current progression.

[Poe969]

700 goals 1300 points, easy

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by Poe969

70 goals 1300 points, easy

lol

[Day Tripper]

Originally Posted by Poe969

70 goals 1300 points, easy

The next Henrik Sedin?

[Tyler]

Why don't these stupid embedded NHL.com videos not open in Safari.. Ergh!!!

[Flames89]

Great article, though this has me worried.
"His father says he will play at least his junior season in Chestnut Hill, and perhaps his senior as well."
Sounds like Dad has a lot of sway.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Why don't these stupid embedded NHL.com videos not open in Safari.. Ergh!!!

They're not working anywhere anymore since the NHL changed the video player.

[pylon]

So I guess you could say......

It's a really Geaudreau article.

YeeeeaaahhhhhhHHHHH!

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by fotze

At least that makes me think I am not nuts. Seeing him at that summer cmp and trying to come up with a comparable type of player, Gretzky is the name that kept popping into my head. Just such a bizarre player.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Did I mention thank you? I thought of the same comparable the first time I saw him. I was really hesitant to bring that up on this board because I knew people would call me out on it. When I did make that comparison, I got jumped on hard, but I would make that same comparison again. This little kid goes out and out plays guys older and bigger than him every chance he gets. My favorite example is the one-on-one drill from Flames development camp featured in the reel footage on the Gaudreau interview currently on NHL.com. Gaudreau is juking this guy in the corner and is just playing with him, waiting for the guy to take the bait and try and lay a glove on him. When the defenseman tries it, boom, Gaudreau slips right by him leaving the defender nothing but air to try and grab. Very Gretzky like, except I think Gaudreau is a better skater. This is not to say that Gaudreau will turn into the next Gretzky or score like Gretzky, or anything of the like, he just does things that are so reminiscent of Gretzky it is scary at times.

[squirtle]

thats a shame I can't open the vid. really wanted to watch it

[Miniac]

Gaudrean's skills and hockey sense are out of this world. The kid is a stud.

[stemit14]

I agree with this Gretzky comparison... No one will ever be as dominant as he was but gaudreau's style is a lot like his. Gretzky never used size or strength to beat other players... He just had without a doubt the highest hockey IQ in the history of the game. It's like everyone else was playing checkers while he was playing chess. Good players were thinking 3-5 seconds ahead of the play while Gretzky knew where the puck would be 20 seconds ahead of the play. Gaudreau has an unbelievable hokey IQ as well as some of the best natural skill I've ever seen.

I can't stress how important it is for the flames to sign this kid and have a spot for him next year... The flames more than any other team in the NHL should know that the size of a player means nothing if he has the skill and determination to overcome it... One of the greatest players the flames ever had was 5'6" and at his peak he was one of the best players in the world

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by stemit14

One of the greatest players the flames ever had was 5'6" and at his peak he was one of the best players in the world

And they had another one they let walk away who just won the Art Ross.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

And they had another one they let walk away who just won the Art Ross.

Almost forgot about that one. Hopefully burke's love for American players outweighs his love for big players.

[EYE_Overstand]

Originally Posted by Flames89

Great article, though this has me worried.
"His father says he will play at least his junior season in Chestnut Hill, and perhaps his senior as well."
Sounds like Dad has a lot of sway.

After watching the Charlie rose interview of Sir Alex Fergeson ... He says ... "The key to a young kid is through his mother"... Send Conroy to his mom... Probably can get her trusting Conny big time haha.


Jokes aside. I have my doubts about him signing with us. But it's still early. Our LW is going to be small w/ him and Sven

[Vulcan]

Yeah, Gaudreau's elusive like Gretzky. I'd like Baertschi to try that tactic more instead of trying to out muscle all his opponents. If there is a reason for trading Cammallari, it's to make room for Johnny. It would also help if we can get or promote a big physical RW for him to play with.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Yeah, Gaudreau's elusive like Gretzky. I'd like Baertschi to try that tactic more instead of trying to out muscle all his opponents. If there is a reason for trading Cammallari, it's to make room for Johnny. It would also help if we can get or promote a big physical RW for him to play with.

Have four names that come to mind. Neimz, Harrison, Hanowski and Poirier.

My guess, Harrison is the one that breaks through. Why? Total wrecking machine with skill. Takes some cajones to almost take the head off of our most prized prospect (at the time) in Sven.

[EYE_Overstand]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Have four names that come to mind. Neimz, Harrison, Hanowski and Poirier.

My guess, Harrison is the one that breaks through. Why? Total wrecking machine with skill. Takes some cajones to almost take the head off of our most prized prospect (at the time) in Sven.

Probably will match someone BIG like jones with JG. Excited about Harrison but he's probably 2-3 seasons away. Poirier will be awesome with monahan and Sven


We always try Wingers at center... Maybe if we can switch Ferland from LW to RW and try that in Abby this season. Our RW is so weak

[Neeper]

I really hope Gaudreau is the chosen one! It's about time we get a superstar.

[McLintock]

Sorry for asking, but when is the first possibility to sign him? Do we really have to fear about loosing him to another team like Boston?