NY Times Gaudreau article. Update: response from Johnny

[Burke Salad]

Originally Posted by T@T

Sounds like Big Mouth Burke isn't trusted...shocking!

He better start sucking some ass, if he screws this up I'll rent a bold sign and slam him from sunnyside to forest lawn!

WHAT?????

[PeteMoss]

He's going to sign. I have no knowledge.. but he's already said he has little to left to prove there. I also suspect if you went to a BC hockey forum the discussion would be the opposite of this one.

The poll is hilarious in regards to the discussion.

[foshizzle11]

No way he goes back to BC, he will sign here after the frozen four. How do we know what has been said to Johnny and his agent from the Flames or to his parents. I can't believe that Burke and Co. has said he has no chance, that seems silly after the camp he had last year in Calgary. He will be given a fair chance to make this team, if not he can go to Abby.

[868904]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Sounds like his parents had a good relationship with Feaster and Weisbrod, as they were the ones who drafted him and saw his potential despite his size. I guess they're worried that Burke doesn't see him with the same optimism as the previous management.

Regardless of who's in charge, though, Gaudreau would have to prove himself at the top level in order to make it. That doesn't change the physical challenge he would face in being a pro player. I'm confident Burke will be fair with Johnny and give him his opportunity. He might have to spend time in Abby first, but he'll still have every chance to make it. From everything we've heard out of Burke, he's as high on this kid as the rest of us. He may have cracked jokes about the size factor, but I think he was just trying to state the obvious, not trying to be hard on the kid or anything.

Burke is the better guy than Feaster here. Like the Colborne acquisition where Burke lowered expectations big time by comparing him to David Steckel, Burke's comments about Gaudreau were only to lower fan expectations of probably the most hyped Flames prospect in years. It's just another example of Burke caring for his players.

Feaster and Weisbrod did Jankowski no favours with that stupid "best player in the draft" comment. Coming from Tampa, Feaster just had no idea what hype and expectations are on players in a Canadian market. Burke knows that all too well having been in Vancouver and Toronto.

Plus, Feaster had no idea what he was doing. Sure he acquired a bunch of small skilled guys but they were largely ineffective until some size and toughness was brought in to protect them. Burke understands that and has made this comment when talking about Gaudreau.

Papa Gaudreau should feel better that Burke is in charge because the Flames will always be one of the tougher teams with him in charge. Johnny will have one to two enforcers looking out for him here always, which will give Johnny the freedom to be as creative a player as he wants. None of the Flames small players have had to deal with anything this year with Grats and Westy around, and this will be true when Johnny plays for the Flames.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by 868904

Burke is the better guy than Feaster here. Like the Colborne acquisition where Burke lowered expectations big time by comparing him to David Steckel, Burke's comments about Gaudreau were only to lower fan expectations of probably the most hyped Flames prospect in years. It's just another example of Burke caring for his players.

Feaster and Weisbrod did Jankowski no favours with that stupid "best player in the draft" comment. Coming from Tampa, Feaster just had no idea what hype and expectations are on players in a Canadian market. Burke knows that all too well having been in Vancouver and Toronto.

Plus, Feaster had no idea what he was doing. Sure he acquired a bunch of small skilled guys but they were largely ineffective until some size and toughness was brought in to protect them. Burke understands that and has made this comment when talking about Gaudreau.

Papa Gaudreau should feel better that Burke is in charge because the Flames will always be one of the tougher teams with him in charge. Johnny will have one to two enforcers looking out for him here always, which will give Johnny the freedom to be as creative a player as he wants. None of the Flames small players have had to deal with anything this year with Grats and Westy around, and this will be true when Johnny plays for the Flames.

Good post. This is all very true.

He will be better off with Burke in charge, who will know to surround him with enough size that will allow him to have protection on the ice when he must face much larger opposition. Some intimidation from our side will go a long way to allowing Johnny to play his game and (more likely) succeed. I'm not sure Feaster would've known to do the same. He would've more or less been left to the wolves when he'd join the team, which would've made it harder on him.

The expectations tactic is really smart on Burke's part. As much as we like to think he's the next big thing, if Burke came out and said that, then the pressure on him coming in might be a lot to take, perhaps too much.

[CSharp]

Well, if Guy Gaudreau should look at the Flames history and know that there was an even smaller stature guy who played for the Flames. If his son is anywhere as good as Theo Fleury was, he'll need to prove that he can do it in the NHL, regardless of which team he's on. Yeah, there's a bit of a disadvantage when it comes to size in a physical sport, but if a guy like Theo can make it and if Johnny is as good as he thinks he is, then, it shouldn't be a problem of proving yourself continuously. The day that anyone stops proving themselves that they're the best, it's basically time to retire and go somewhere else. No one is going to give you a free ride unless you can prove that you belong, especially if you're smaller than the rest in a big man's sport. Flames need size and speed in addition to skills.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by CSharp

Well, if Guy Gaudreau should look at the Flames history and know that there was an even smaller stature guy who played for the Flames. If his son is anywhere as good as Theo Fleury was, he'll need to prove that he can do it in the NHL, regardless of which team he's on. Yeah, there's a bit of a disadvantage when it comes to size in a physical sport, but if a guy like Theo can make it and if Johnny is as good as he thinks he is, then, it shouldn't be a problem of proving yourself continuously. The day that anyone stops proving themselves that they're the best, it's basically time to retire and go somewhere else. No one is going to give you a free ride unless you can prove that you belong, especially if you're smaller than the rest in a big man's sport. Flames need size and speed in addition to skills.

Yeah or just look at the opportunity Paul Byron is getting

Byron wasn't even sent back to the AHL during the Olympic break I believe, because they wanted him to feel like a real NHL player.

[cDnStealth]

Originally Posted by T@T

Sounds like Big Mouth Burke isn't trusted...shocking!

He better start sucking some ass, if he screws this up I'll rent a bold sign and slam him from sunnyside to forest lawn!

Phrasing!

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Byron wasn't sent back because they didn't want to lose him on waivers I would think.

[Boxman]

I like the messages that Burke is sending and it's consistent with the team culture you want at the start of a rebuild. Seems obvious but:

1. Why would we want a player who would rather live and play elsewhere?
2. Yeah you have to fight for a spot on the roster. As a rebuild team, that keeps incoming high-end prospects from being lazy and entitled.

Maybe someday, if all goes well we'll look back at the booster seat jokes and pass em off as tough love.

[CaptainCrunch]

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Boxman

I like the messages that Burke is sending and it's consistent with the team culture you want at the start of a rebuild. Seems obvious but:

1. Why would we want a player who would rather live and play elsewhere?
2. Yeah you have to fight for a spot on the roster. As a rebuild team, that keeps incoming high-end prospects from being lazy and entitled.

Maybe someday, if all goes well we'll look back at the booster seat jokes and pass em off as tough love.

Or jokes.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by Burke Salad

Better than a last minute Erixon type of situation, gives him and the next GM time to sort things out.

Though this worked out quite well I think.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

99%.


Remarkably vocal minority.

A "consensus" even.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by fotze

Ya, why would you take it as tough love? So Johnny becomes more determined to get taller some day thanks to the tough love. Tough love should be reserved for things someone can actively influence.

I do remember growing up talking to a doctor about surgery to extend your bone length to get taller, maybe he should really show his commitment as do some of that.

It amazes me how many people think JG will have hurt feelings from a few slight jabs at his size. Like a 20 year old who has looked 12 since he turned 12 has never had someone call him short. I imagine he hears it from every teams pluggers and he just laughs as he dances around them and rips it top corner.

[djsFlames]

If you're looking at the poll, the minority is 5.5% if you're just counting the voters who don't believe he'll go pro with the flames.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

If you're looking at the poll, the minority is 5.5% if you're just counting the voters who don't believe he'll go pro with the flames.

Actually it's about 6. The 3rd question still has him signing with the Flames.

EDIT: Ahhh I see you are a ninja of the edit.

[djsFlames]

Boom. Niinja'd.

I misread.

[stemit14]

I also think it's exciting that the flames will have some great competition between baertschi and gaudreau next season (I hope they are both at camp to do so). I think it will be good for both of them and I think they are both talented enough to be the top 2 left wingers for the flames.

[Erick Estrada]

I voted he would sign after the Frozen 4 but if he doesn't I would change to option 2 as I don't see the organization gambling. That said the incoming GM may have a different perspective in how to handle this.