World Championship Thread

[ForeverFlameFan]

It's hard to temper expectations with JG, but I wouldn't be surprised if he hit 50, 55 points next year. I think he should be the favorite to win the Calder if he stays in the NHL.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by sketchyt

I spoke with a couple college/former ECHL'ers after Gaudreau's game against Vancouver (I heard they're no good).

Always interesting to hear the perspective of guys who played at high levels. Anyways, their take was that he had an impressive game but won't be able to take 82 games of contact. They pointed specifically to him getting taken down chasing after the puck with Yannick Weber, said that was a far more dangerous play than it seemed and only a small and inexperienced guy like Gaudreau would get knocked down like that.

A full year in the AHL with some call-up time would probably do him good.

I think time in the AHL wouldn't hurt him either but I'm at a loss as to why that moderate middle of the road hit from Webber draws any concern (I see it mentioned in a lot of discussions). Players in the NHL get hit all the time. Gaudreau went down and bounced back up without missing a beat. That seems like an awfully big leap to draw from one very run of the mill play.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by sketchyt

I spoke with a couple college/former ECHL'ers after Gaudreau's game against Vancouver (I heard they're no good).

Always interesting to hear the perspective of guys who played at high levels. Anyways, their take was that he had an impressive game but won't be able to take 82 games of contact. They pointed specifically to him getting taken down chasing after the puck with Yannick Weber, said that was a far more dangerous play than it seemed and only a small and inexperienced guy like Gaudreau would get knocked down like that.

A full year in the AHL with some call-up time would probably do him good.

Maybe if Gaudreau's protective mom was the Flames GM, but I see him starting the year in the NHL. It's known that in the Flames organization you have to earn your spot and the only way Gaudreau won't earn a spot is if he's injured.

He's also not an injury prone player which is something your friends may not have factored in. Not to mention a full off-season of nothing but summer school and weight training and he'll be ready to go come Fall.

Also, it's not like the AHL is a lightweight league. There are just as many goons and tons of bruising veteran players. Pro hockey is pro hockey.

You just can't hold this kid back.

[Muffins]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

It's hard to temper expectations with JG, but I wouldn't be surprised if he hit 50, 55 points next year. I think he should be the favorite to win the Calder if he stays in the NHL.

While that would be awesome, there's that Drouin fellow who will most likely make his way to the NHL next year. Tough to bet against him for the Calder.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by Igster

lol...

Oiler fans.

lol.

You guys should be thrilled if he becomes a 60 point player.

[Robbob]

Considering that play was also a penalty. In addition I don't think Gaudreau expected the hit so wasn't prepared.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

If he had a terrible work ethic I'd agree with you.

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

lol.

You guys should be thrilled if he becomes a 60 point player.

What CC said.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by Muffins

While that would be awesome, there's that Drouin fellow who will most likely make his way to the NHL next year. Tough to bet against him for the Calder.

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/article...the-year-2014/

Not that this is huge, but the writers over at HF honourably mentioned Gaudreau ahead of Drouin, so lets not act as if they're in different leagues. Both are blue chip prospects with immense skill.

[sketchyt]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

I think time in the AHL wouldn't hurt him either but I'm at a loss as to why that moderate middle of the road hit from Webber draws any concern (I see it mentioned in a lot of discussions). Players in the NHL get hit all the time. Gaudreau went down and bounced back up without missing a beat. That seems like an awfully big leap to draw from one very run of the mill play.

It was an example out of a handful. I didn't see it as a big deal either but just passing on some info from people who have played at a much higher level than I have. They also weren't Flames fans or fans of a rival team so it was interesting to hear them out.

I think their point was that most players wouldn't lose their footing like that on a nothing hit and that extrapolated over 82 games, there's a greater likelihood he gets hurt and then changes his game to avoid contact. The AHL would be a better environment to expose him to that sort of thing while lessening severity.

[theoforever]

Johnny doesn't look NHL ready. He thinks twice before going into corners and gets pushed around a lot. When, he doesn't have the puck he is a non factor.
The skill is there, hands are great, vision is amazing.
Needs to get tougher and Ahl is a safer place for him to learn to play a complete game.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Muffins

While that would be awesome, there's that Drouin fellow who will most likely make his way to the NHL next year. Tough to bet against him for the Calder.

Crap, forgot about him... That's going to be a fun race to watch.

[jg13]

Originally Posted by theoforever

Johnny doesn't look NHL ready. He thinks twice before going into corners and gets pushed around a lot. When, he doesn't have the puck he is a non factor.
The skill is there, hands are great, vision is amazing.
Needs to get tougher and Ahl is a safer place for him to learn to play a complete game.

I think his work ethic and back checking is good, definitely better than any of the "young stars" on the oilers team from what i've seen.

[mile]

Originally Posted by BlueCharlton

I hope he turns into a Kane type player, but realistically I think that is his ceiling. I hope I am wrong, but Gaudreau hasn't done anything at the NHL level to show he IS the next Kane.

The comparisons to Kane have mostly to do with their similar styles of play - ie. Being skilled, shifty, able to avoid contact, etc. It's not necessarily a talent comparison.

If Gaudreau ends up being a lesser version of Kane we should be happy.

[theoforever]

Originally Posted by jg13

I think his work ethic and back checking is good, definitely better than any of the "young stars" on the oilers team from what i've seen.

He looks hesitant to physically engage.
His work ethic doesn't look consistent, it is more visible in the offensive zone.
He looks like Sven but with way more skill.

[Ashasx]

I think Gaudreau will do better in the NHL than the AHL.

The AHL game is slow and players don't have NHL skill. Gaudreau will be making passes to players who don't expect it.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

lol.

You guys should be thrilled if he becomes a 60 point player.

Focused on individual points? Typical Oiler fan thinking is typical.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by sketchyt

It was an example out of a handful. I didn't see it as a big deal either but just passing on some info from people who have played at a much higher level than I have. They also weren't Flames fans or fans of a rival team so it was interesting to hear them out.

I think their point was that most players wouldn't lose their footing like that on a nothing hit and that extrapolated over 82 games, there's a greater likelihood he gets hurt and then changes his game to avoid contact. The AHL would be a better environment to expose him to that sort of thing while lessening severity.

Didn't mean to shoot the messenger, I understood that you were passing the comments along. Regardless, I think that was an average play and that's a big leap to make off of it. I remember it well and he seemed to lose footing which could have been a number of reasons. Just don't see how that much analyzing one play has lead so many (not saying you) to that conclusion.

[jg13]

Originally Posted by theoforever

He looks hesitant to physically engage.
His work ethic doesn't look consistent, it is more visible in the offensive zone.
He looks like Sven but with way more skill.

couldn't disagree more.

he lost a puck on the tail end of the PP today and hustled back and caught up to the guy who stole it to break up the play in our zone, very few guys will do that.

[theoforever]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I think Gaudreau will do better in the NHL than the AHL.

The AHL game is slow and players don't have NHL skill. Gaudreau will be making passes to players who don't expect it.

The reason I think Ahl would be good for him is that he will experience physical play at lower speed. Our Ahl team will have lots of skill next year.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Focused on individual points? Typical Oiler fan thinking is typical.

Yeah I must have missed the part where Gaudreau is some kind of defensive force.

For some reason every Flames prospect on this site gets hyped as being a good two way player.

Like Bartschi and all the comparisons to Hossa.