Are you gonna credit his brother's 9 NHL goals to Gaudreau and Arnold too? Let's face it, the Hayes brothers have some talent themselves. Seems kind of silly to credit his good season to our prospects and give none of it to him. He's a solid prospect in his own right.
Didn't say he was a bad prospect. I actually quite like him. He's a big bodied guy with some good hands that could be a solid third liner some day. I just don't think he deserves half the accolades he's been getting, especially the Hobey Baker nomination. There is a straw that stirs the drink, then there is the mixer, and then there is the garnish. When you watch the games it is abundantly clear who each player is on the team. Lets put it to you this way. Kevin Hayes found himself in the same situation Lee Stempniak now finds himself in Pittsburgh. It ain't hard to look good when you're playing with the best player at your level, and the incredible increase in goal and point production likely isn't a result of your amazing handiwork. You, of all people, should be able to see the incredible jump in production and recognize an ab oration. This jump in production was unexpected and an outlier. There is a cause of this and its pretty obvious. Being a senior has its benefits and I think the cards fell perfectly for Hayes to have a big year.
Last edited by Lanny_McDonald; 03-21-2014 at 09:11 AM.
Honestly I was expecting a kid when I met him but I was a bit surprised to see how big he was. From a 6"2 guys perspective I did not seem to tower over him.. and this was off the skates. Talking with him reminded me a lot of talking to Iggy.. great attitude.
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Would you just tell us about meeting him and his mom in one complete story with details instead of these little tidbits here and there????
There honestly isn't much of a story, I didn't want to bore you guys. I walked up and as soon as I said I was a Flames fan from the Calgary area he got a huge smile on his face, I said do you mind signing my jersey and without hesitation he said Absolutely and took the marker.
He went to sign it and couldn't figure out where to write so I just said In the numbers, maybe it was the first jersey he had ever signed. Then his Mom started asking me questions about where I was from, who I came with etc.. JG was distracted by a couple little kids who were asking for autographs but he was listening and laughing as I described our trip so far.. keeping it PG.
His Mom asked if we all came just for the game and I said that the game was a big part of it, but we had a lot of Bruins fans so we saw them as well earlier that afternoon. I had sent all those guys home because they were losered and I didn't want to scar his family for life. They both laughed at that one.
She then commented on how impressed she was with the Flames fan base and how respectful and supportive we have been of JG. Said she has read so many nice things about him in the Herald. I told her that he was a big deal up in Alberta and there were about 1 million people waiting very patiently for him to get there.
That is about all I remember, there were some other comments in there but that was about all we talked about hockey the rest was about my stag. His Mom just seemed very happy that we had come all that way to see him play, and appreciative of all the support and attention he was getting from Canada.
Then as I went to leave I told Johnny good luck in the tournament and I will see you in Calgary in April. He again, had a huge grin and looked at his Mom with a "Can I play?" kind of look, and his Mom had a "We'll see" smirk on her face. But he just said Thanks a lot. And then I left them alone.
Ok I guess there was a story.. but again I can't say enough nice things about the Gaudreau family, very warm group of people and very appreciative and polite. If we end up getting JG we will be a lucky franchise.
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After he signed your jersey, you should have pulled out a contract from under it and said "HA HA, I'm Brian Burkes assistant and you just signed with the Flames!!!"
That honestly was talked about during the game, after his third or fourth Are you kidding me? move.
Nobody on that ice was even close to his level, not even remotely close. We had 10 guys in the stands, all of them played hockey growing up, they had never seen JG play before and most hadn't heard of him. Their jaws were permanently dropped. I knew what to expect and I was still blown away, it was like the first time I watched Kipper in net for the Flames. What the frack?!??! Did he really just do that??? There is no way that just happened! etc..
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That honestly was talked about during the game, after his third or fourth Are you kidding me? move.
Nobody on that ice was even close to his level, not even remotely close. We had 10 guys in the stands, all of them played hockey growing up, they had never seen JG play before and most hadn't heard of him. Their jaws were permanently dropped. I knew what to expect and I was still blown away, it was like the first time I watched Kipper in net for the Flames. What the frack?!??! Did he really just do that??? There is no way that just happened! etc..
Yeah, he had some moments like that in the WJC gold medal game last year as well. Most of you probably watched it, but in case you haven't the full game is available on Youtube:
Flames Website lists him at 5´9. Viewing the latest highlights and looking at this pic I dont think he is that small anymore. No giant, but decent size for a skilled type of player..
For people who're wondering when they can see Johnny next, BC plays Denver this Saturday at 4pm EST on ESPNU. That's the Eagles' first game in the NCAA tournament. So whether or not Johnny's season will continue is up to them. Exciting either way with all upcoming games televised.
I doubt he would sign THAT fast, however, if that's his intention, it'll likely be within a couple days. Toronto could actually be a possibility, depending on Saturday's outcome.
BC's opponent on Saturday is only in the tournament by virtue of winning a relatively weak conference, so it's unlikely BC loses that game. Of course, anything is possible, and their opponent on Sunday could be tough.
If they do lose this weekend, Gaudreau and Arnold will probably make their Flames debuts in one of the games in Florida at the earliest. Maybe April 7 in New Jersey. It's a 2 hour drive up the Turnpike from Carneys Point to Newark.
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Good quick little write-up on Gerbe who's a similar prospect, the issue with injuries is the most interesting:
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Time to evaluate Nate Gerbe, an absolute stud prospect six years ago but who quickly fell out of favor. As we've seen time and again, these 5-8 (or less, Gerbe is 5-5) players take years to get going. In every case (unless we're talking a first-round pick), the players are 26 or 27 before they take off (Sullivan, St. Louis). Gerbe is now 26. But his injury history has stunted his development so I'd be shocked if he ever did that 70-point thing. From 2009 to 2012 he missed at least 18 games per season due to injury. So with all that in mind, looking at his numbers now I'm pretty happy. Mainly because he's going to play close to 80 games. That in itself is a massive breakthrough. He also looks good for 35 points, which is unimpressive. But he's shown that he can stay healthy and he's getting a fair amount of ice time, which is an indicator of the coach's trust. If he can get on a scoring line next year he'll hang onto it. And again if he can stay healthy - he's a dark horse for a surprise season.
I think that's really critical for Gaudreau is avoiding injury. Which is why I'd probably like to see him play a full year in the AHL to acclimatize to the pro-game. Really don't want Gaudreau to get 'Brule-ed'.
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There is a notable gap in skill level between Gaudreau and Gerbe. The comparison is a fair one, but I think people have every right to expect that Gaudreau's ceiling is likely higher.
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Originally Posted by Tinordi
I think that's really critical for Gaudreau is avoiding injury. Which is why I'd probably like to see him play a full year in the AHL to acclimatize to the pro-game. Really don't want Gaudreau to get 'Brule-ed'.
It is critical for any player to avoid injury. I am not overly concerned about Gaudreau suffering the same sort of fate as Gilbert Brule, since his game is completely different. Brule was a lost cause from the start, owing to the fact that he was always a fairly physical player who was successful in juniour because he depended on his physicality to compensate for a major shortage in size. Gaudreau is a mirage. He never gets hit because he is proving to be a nearly un-hittable moving target. Of course, this won't come as easy for him at the NHL level, but by the same token, he is not going to suddenly start smashing his way to the net once he turns pro.
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Originally Posted by woob
"...harem warfare? like all your wives dressup and go paintballing?"
So he could be playing for us Sunday against Ottawa or preferably Tuesday on national TV in Toronto, so his folks can be flown up for the quick trip up to watch.
I'll put liquid exlax in their water bottles for their first game
Boston College junior left wing Johnny Gaudreau was named winner of the 62nd Walter Brown Award, presented annually by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston to the best American-born college hockey player in New England.
Gaudreau finished first in the final balloting ahead of runner-up, teammate Bill Arnold, and third-place finisher Steve Weinstein of Bentley.
Gaudreau is now wrestling with what to do at the end of this season. He enjoys college life and playing with his brother, but has little left to accomplish at the collegiate level, especially if Boston College wins another national championship.
The Flames are telling Gaudreau to focus on the coming tournaments and then make the decision. Gaudreau’s mother would like to see her son finish college and graduate, and he said his mother usually prevailed in these kinds of things.
“I don’t think he gets it that when you go out there, it’s not going to be all fun anymore,” Jane Gaudreau said. “I don’t think he gets he may be taking the spot of someone who has a wife and three kids.”
She added: “As his mom, I’d like to see him take one more year to get a little bigger, a little stronger, and to enjoy his senior year. He’s never had a homecoming. He’s never had a prom. He missed his high school graduation. He said he’d have a graduation picture for me.
“Have your senior year. You will never get that back.”
If Matthew Gaudreau gets to decide again, he and his brother will return to Boston College. And if Jane Gaudreau was choosing, her sons would be Eagles for another year.
But neither one will probably get that chance. This time, Johnny Gaudreau is going to make the call himself.
Last edited by sureLoss; 03-26-2014 at 07:55 AM.
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