Dangerous in that many here could be setting themselves up for disappointment. I think I've been pretty clear in my statements.
I prefer to expect less and be blown away by the end result.
Others don't. Personal preference, no need to get defensive about it.
This pretty much sums it up no? Set the bar low and at least you won't be disappointed.
A personal choice but not one I would make particularly in something as meaningless as sports. One should feel free to get excited in sports. Set that bar high. Why not? Worst case is you are disappointed and then there's always next year.
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This pretty much sums it up no? Set the bar low and at least you won't be disappointed.
A personal choice but not one I would make particularly in something as meaningless as sports. One should feel free to get excited in sports. Set that bar high. Why not? Worst case is you are disappointed and then there's always next year.
At the very least there is literally nothing to be gained by putting down others excitment unless you:
a) Actually care for that person personally and are legitimately concerned for their mental health.
b) Concerned you will be uncontrollably sucked into the optimism.
Baertschi is a terrible example. Baertschi never performed any where near this level. Gaudreau is dominating against players the naysayers were certain he would fail against. It's funny, but some of you are just finally waking up to something those of us who have watched a lot of Boston College have known for the past two years. Johnny Gaudreau is a special player with a skill set not seen in years. When people talk about generational talent, Gaudreau's skill set is what they are talking about. The only problem is the size of the package this talent comes in. For our sake, Gretzky was small and skinny too, and he did okay.
Yipe, I'm old enough to remember the articles saying Wayne will get killed in the NHL if he trys this or trys that, I think it was Jerry Korab who said his skating style has his head being knocked off before he gets 10 points.
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The Flames fanbase has been conditioned to expect disappointment with prospects.
I think with Monahan, Gaudreau, Granlund, Brodie, Backlund, Reinhart, Baertschi, Ortio, Gillies, Wotherspoon, Poirier, Klimchuk, Bouma etc. all proving to be NHLers, or are trending in that direction, we should feel elation in a few years rather than disappointment.
Soon the 4th overall pick this year can soon be added to this list!
We should stop and actually enjoy this instead of fighting over being worried about Gaudreau getting physically destroyed at the next level...
Good times ahead friends, good times ahead!!!
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I have to believe Johnny walks right onto the Flames out of training camp this year with what he's showing at the Worlds. He's doing things with the puck at full speed that very few are capable of, and he's been doing it consistently for 2+ years.
It's approaching levels that Flames fans aren't used to because it's been a very, very long time since the Flames organization had a player with this much promise.
It's infuriating to see posts like this when what is being talked about as POSSIBLE isn't at all over the top.
If Gaudreau was a Kings prospect the world would be going nuts and nobody here would suggest that there was anything outlandish being said.
Such an inferiority complex we have as a fanbase. It's disgusting.
Actually, if Gaudreau was a Kings prospects and Kings fans were talking about him being a generational talent, I would point and laugh at them.
If people enjoy getting delirious about this stuff, that's cool. But I hope those people have the decency not to mock Oilers fans who do the same thing. If wild-eyed projections look goofy on them, they look goofy on us.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fotze
If this day gets you riled up, you obviously aren't numb to the disappointment yet to be a real fan.
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I think people keep confusing generational/elite "talent" with generational/elite "player". Being the former doesn't mean he will turn into the latter...but I'm not sure most here are really implying that.
I've watched the Flames since 89, and don't recall anyone pulling off these kinds of smart creative moves since Sergei Makarov. Nylander had his moments, and Huselius had his moments...but I don't remember the raw skill to be quite this high with those two. Kent Nillson or Hakan Loob sounded like that too, but honestly, I never really saw them play, so I can't say.
Will he turn into a star? Who knows...but even if he never plays another NHL game, from a purely talent level, I can't think of anyone to compare him to in the last 2 decades.
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My only concern with regard to Gaudreau is whether he can do this for 82 games in the NHL. He is a spectacular prospect and I hope that the coaches see when he may need a game off or here or there. When his body develops more and he becomes better adjusted to the NHL grind I don't see this being an issue, but first season...maybe? We won't know until the season is underway and we see how well he adjusts to the bigger stronger men on a regular basis, he could be so slick that he doesn't get hit very often and thus not need to take a game off every so often.
Actually, if Gaudreau was a Kings prospects and Kings fans were talking about him being a generational talent, I would point and laugh at them.
If people enjoy getting delirious about this stuff, that's cool. But I hope those people have the decency not to mock Oilers fans who do the same thing. If wild-eyed projections look goofy on them, they look goofy on us.
No, we wouldn't. We acknowledged the high end talent of Toffoli and respected potential acquisition costs in trade proposals. Gaudreau is miles ahead of Toffoli in potential. He is one of the most talented prospects to come along in a decade and he has show that at every level. Nothing to be ashamed of, unless you have embraced that inferiority complex DFF referenced.
When the Oilers have a player of this skill AND character we will let them talk smack. Until then there is nothing goofy going on.
Living here in Oiler land, I have to put up with a lot of smack talk from these fans. After this past season, I had said that we would make the playoff ahead of the Oilers.
With what we have now, what we are able to acquire (Free agency and trades), what this kid brings plus what we fetch at the draft, I'm thinking I might start putting some money where my mouth is.
That skill level is freaking nuts! I love the quote from Kermitology and the other one, "redonkulous", says it all.
Actually, if Gaudreau was a Kings prospects and Kings fans were talking about him being a generational talent, I would point and laugh at them.
If people enjoy getting delirious about this stuff, that's cool. But I hope those people have the decency not to mock Oilers fans who do the same thing. If wild-eyed projections look goofy on them, they look goofy on us.
Get over yourself.
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I'm as big a fan of Johnny Hockey as anyone. I just want to avoid disappointment if he doesn't make the team next season, doesn't finish top ten in league scoring and doesn't lead his team to a magical playoff run.
I still wanna love you, Johnny!
While I think its important to rationalize things it's equally important to feel good when something good happens; Nothing wrong with getting excited just like when we get excited when the Flames make the playoffs, and disappointed if they get knocked off.
For example our kids might be excited at something they are doing in their favorite game, sports or at school but being over protective can make it so they don't want to try things. People learn from experience and most people here on CP have experienced so many ups and downs and they want to be excited!! Let them.., most of us would rather excited and disappointed rather than always being told to temper our feelings. Give us a little credit we can handle it and thanks for looking out for us and being concerned.
Looking at some of Johnny's plays in slow motion has me very excited, it has been one play after another! I logged in today to get the latest and left wondering how the heck Johnny made that play behind the net... Does anyone have a video of another player making that play!?
May I suggest you throw those tempered expectation away and have a little fun!
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