[News] Gaudreau named Hockey East's Player of the Week

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Can you name some of these 5'8, 160 lb Kings, Hawks, or Stars prospects that few people had any skepticism about?

Can you name a prospect of any of those teams, or any other, that has dominated the NCAA like Gaudreau, as a freshman and sophomore, and then just playing with the opposition as a junior? Size is irrelevant when you're exceptional and Gaudreau has been exceptional his whole hockey playing life. Fact of the matter is that if Gaudreau was drafted at the size his is right now, he would have gone in the first round and people would be comparing him to Patrick Kane and not concerned about his size at all.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by J epworth kendal

What a stupid question though, of course he can't answer that, why ask it?

Why suggest that the only reason for a Flames fan to have doubts that Gaudreau will make the NHL is because they're Flames fans?

[J epworth]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Why suggest that the only reason for a Flames fan to have doubts that Gaudreau will make the NHL is because they're Flames fans?

Well I can't speak for him, but if I posted that it would be to point out the fact that whenever someone is under a microscope for long enough people will find something to worry about with them. If he was a Devil's prospect for example, and you were hearing about his successes in the NCAA, you would more likely be excited to see what this guy will do when he reaches the NHL, and not be overanalyzing if he is 5'9'' or 5'8, 150 or 165, whether he has chicken legs or not, etc.

It's not the fact that we're flames fans, it's just a jest that we are looking at it a little too closely sometimes, and lots of times it's better to just sit back and be entertained by how awesome a prospect this guy has been.

[Flash Walken]

There's no questioning Gaudreau's talent, the question is, can that talent be translated to the top league in the world, vs, say, being a top player in the second best league.

Size is part of that determining factor, but I think the game right now lends itself to his particular brand of high-skill, low-size hockey.

I think the comparisons to Pat Kane are pretty good, IF he's able to translate.

No one is denying his ability, the only question is, can a guy his size survive the NHL schedule, or, can he put in the effort necessary to add some of the size that will help him survive.

The thing about Gaudreau is, I think, the type of game he plays is the most likely to translate to the NHL. A sort of ultra-high level in and out of coverage player, not necessarily an end to end scorer in the kariya/kessel kind of way. He seems to play the same type (note I am not comparing him to Datsyuk), of game as a guy like Datsyuk. Small explosions of effort or skill.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by J epworth kendal

Well I can't speak for him, but if I posted that it would be to point out the fact that whenever someone is under a microscope for long enough people will find something to worry about with them.

It has nothing to do with being under a microscope. There isn't a single player Gaudreau's size in the last 30 years that hasn't carried major doubts about his transition to the NHL because of his size. Not one.

Theo Fleury put up 129 frickin' points in 66 games playing in the toughest amateur league in the world and he was drafted in the 8th round. Then he put up 160 points the following season and Flames management (and the rest of the NHL) still didn't think he would ever be an NHLer.

The worries about Gaudreau's size were there at day one, and they're going to be there until he proves he can be effective in the NHL. Nothing he accomplishes at the college level will dispel those doubts, because the doubts have nothing to do with his talent.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Why suggest that the only reason for a Flames fan to have doubts that Gaudreau will make the NHL is because they're Flames fans?

I didn't do that.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

I have my doubts about him signing. It's hard to imagine such a buzz worthy american coming up here.

Because in the second year of a rebuild, he will get an amazing chance to play?

[Zevo]

Patrick Kane was 170 lbs in his draft year. Pretty sure I read That Gaudreau was approaching 165 this year. Not unreasonable to think he can hit 170 by next year and at 3 inches shorter than Kane, that even makes him a bit stockier. Also not unreasonable to think that his recently improved diet (used to live on skittles) won't have future benefits. Lots of intangibles that allow one to have a positive outlook on his future. The kid is loaded with talent.

[Jacks]

nm, wrong thread.

[PeteMoss]

I'm really not worried about him getting bigger. No matter what happens he's going to be the smallest guy on the ice. He should just get to his ideal playing weight. He's never going to be big enough to battle with people. Just going to have to adapt to his size.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

I have my doubts about him signing. It's hard to imagine such a buzz worthy american coming up here.

I still don't understand why this continues to be a concern. In the first place, the instances of NCAA prospects delaying their entrance into professional hockey with the intent of becoming an UFA can literally be counted on one hand. Second, Gaudreau has given EVERY indication that he intends and that he is excited to sign with the Calgary Flames when he turns pro. Third, spending his final year in college would mean spending another full season playing in a league that he has BADLY outgrown, and without a salary. For a competitive guy, I would expect that getting to the next level is always part of the plan. Fourth, that salary is pretty important, since if he signs this summer, he is guaranteed to make hundreds of thousands more dollars than he would if he chose to stay in college.

I realise that people are going to continue to wring their hands about this until he is actually under contract next year, but it really is akin to worrying about getting struck by lightning whenever there is a thunderstorm. The chances that it happens are practically nil.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

...The worries about Gaudreau's size were there at day one, and they're going to be there until he proves he can be effective in the NHL. Nothing he accomplishes at the college level will dispel those doubts, because the doubts have nothing to do with his talent.

That is true. I think what makes people especially optimistic about Gaudreau's chances, and his potential to translate his game at the NHL level is realising what he has overcome and already accomplished to get to this point. He was TINY when he was drafted, and there were concerns already about him being able to play in college. It's not just that he is small but dominant, it is that he is EXCEPTIONALLY small and EXCEPTIONALLY dominant. It took him all of a month or two to adjust to playing in the NCAA, and since he figured it out, he has been absolutely tearing up that league. He was only registering about a 0.5 point/game through his first 20 college games, so from his 113 points total in 88 career games, about 100 of those were scored in his last 65 or 70.

[FlameZilla]

Boy is he fun to watch... Those two identical 1-on-3 goals are legendary. I can't really imagine him pulling that sort of hijinks against NHL-level defenders though (well, maybe against our current D).

The kid is a living legend in the Boston area already. I'm of 2 minds: I'm excited to see him in the Flaming C, but you could imagine the Bruins paying WAY over the odds to acquire him.

[Bootsy]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

I have my doubts about him signing. It's hard to imagine such a buzz worthy american coming up here.

Well with our GM , assistant GM and President of hockey operations/GM of the US Olympic team all being American, I think there's a good chance they can sway him, coming to Calgary will be a non issue IMO.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

B...The kid is a living legend in the Boston area already. I'm of 2 minds: I'm excited to see him in the Flaming C, but you could imagine the Bruins paying WAY over the odds to acquire him.

How's that?

Do you mean via a trade?

I seriously doubt it. As spectacular as Gaudreau is; as much potential as observers see in him, he is still a prospect who has yet to play a single game of professional hockey, and he does not have a strong pedigree. No team will be falling over themselves with "can't refuse" offers to acquire him.

Do you mean via unrestricted free agency, should Gaudreau opt to play his senior year?

Gaudreau's first NHL contract will be subject to the rookie maximum. He will not get a dollar more from any other team than what the Flames will offer him.

Besides, the Bruins already have nearly $62 m committed for the 2014–15 season to only 16 players. Barring a trade, they likely aren't overpaying anyone for a couple of seasons.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

How's that?

Do you mean via a trade?

I seriously doubt it. As spectacular as Gaudreau is; as much potential as observers see in him, he is still a prospect who has yet to play a single game of professional hockey, and he does not have a strong pedigree. No team will be falling over themselves with "can't refuse" offers to acquire him.

Do you mean via unrestricted free agency, should Gaudreau opt to play his senior year?

Gaudreau's first NHL contract will be subject to the rookie maximum. He will not get a dollar more from any other team than what the Flames will offer him.

Besides, the Bruins already have nearly $62 m committed for the 2014–15 season to only 16 players. Barring a trade, they likely aren't overpaying anyone for a couple of seasons.

I think the most likely scenario is he signs with us after this NCAA season. But there's still a chance a guy who's played 3 years in college would want to finish out his college degree. Especially a guy who probably acknowledges his size doesn't make a long nhl career a sure thing. If he plays his senior year, all bets are off about him signing here, as he is essentially a free agent at that point.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

I think the most likely scenario is he signs with us after this NCAA season. But there's still a chance a guy who's played 3 years in college would want to finish out his college degree. Especially a guy who probably acknowledges his size doesn't make a long nhl career a sure thing. If he plays his senior year, all bets are off about him signing here, as he is essentially a free agent at that point.

There is always a chance he plays his senior year at BC, but I will repeat what has been demonstrated over and over again in this thread and in the John Gaudreau thread in the Prospects forum: He has given EVERY indication that he intends to sign this spring with the Flames. Until there is some intimation that he may spend another year in college, I think we should expect him to be in Flames training camp next fall. Hell, he may even play some games in Calgary or in Abbotsford as early as this spring.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

How's that?

Do you mean via a trade?

Yes, I do. At the draft I believe Boston offered us Seguin for the 6th Overall pick & Gaudreau. If that rumour was indeed true (reported in various places) then I believe Johnny Hockey is valued much, much higher than you might think.

[red sky]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

There is always a chance he plays his senior year at BC, but I will repeat what has been demonstrated over and over again in this thread and in the John Gaudreau thread in the Prospects forum: He has given EVERY indication that he intends to sign this spring with the Flames. Until there is some intimation that he may spend another year in college, I think we should expect him to be in Flames training camp next fall. Hell, he may even play some games in Calgary or in Abbotsford as early as this spring.

Just to play devil’s advocate, Justin Schultz was saying the exact same things and that didn't play out how the Ducks thought it would.

I think he will play for the Flames though. He would be foolish not to considering the opportunity he will be given.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by red sky

Just to play devil’s advocate, Justin Schultz was saying the exact same things and that didn't play out how the Ducks thought it would.

I think he will play for the Flames though. He would be foolish not to considering the opportunity he will be given.

The flames have the advantage of throwing the ELC at him this year with signing bonuses this year. Gaudreau could go back to college and be a UFA or he could get his 90k signing bonus in April, play some games to get game cheques and burn off one year of the ELC to become a UFA sooner, and then get another 90k signing bonus in July.

180K+ for 4 months works is pretty decent incentive. Plus he knows he will be given the opportunity to play at the NHL level.