[News] With the 104th overall pick, the Flames select LW John Gaudreau

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by codynw

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I agree the Flames are turning it around. But at the time of the Gaudreau selection, that wasn't apparent.

To some of us that followed the drafting closely, it seemed to be apparent. Also, if you were to look back at some of Button's comments about the drafting methodology starting from the last few years under Darryl Sutter and continuing, it kind of lines up with what some of us have been observing. Wasn't so apparent because the Flames didn't have any players that 'made it' yet, but the drafting did seem to be evolving somewhat.

Nothing is proven as of yet - Backlund, Brodie and Monahan aside, but there definitely is much more reason to be optimistic.

[FBI]

Can anyone summarize that sportsnet.ca link for me? The video doesn't seem to play here in the US.

[dash_pinched]

Interesting piece on how the Flames did their best to hide their interest in Johnny Hockey...

Button convinced him to leave Gaudreau and Russian winger Nikita Kucherov as wild cards. In other words, don’t include them in the team’s in-house rankings of prospects.

“I said to Jay, ‘I’d like the latitude of not putting them on the list. Then when it’s time to make the call, let me make the call,’ ” recalls Button.

The Flames merrily made their second-round shouts — Markus Granlund, 45th; Tyler Wotherspoon, 57th — then groaned when the Tampa Bay Lightning nabbed Kucherov at No. 58.

“I turned to Jay and said, ‘We’ve got to take Johnny with the next pick,’ ” recalls Button. “Jay said, ‘Go ahead. Take him.’ ”

Unfortunately for the Calgarians, Darryl Sutter had already peddled their third-round choice to the Edmonton Oilers in the Steve Staios deal.

So Button perspired his way into the fourth round and got his man, 104th overall.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/...624/story.html

[combustiblefuel]

Just read the entire thread again. I bet a lot of people who doubted him are feeling pretty sheepish now.

[Gaskal]

Man we sure struck gold in 2011, assuming Baertschi pulls a Nyquist in the AHL.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by DionTheDman

http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/...624/story.html

The kid’s marks — for skill, for smarts — matched anyone’s in the top 10. At the Flames’ pre-draft powwow, Gaudreau’s high-end assets had been enthusiastically touted by Button and fellow scouts Rob Pulford and Duane Sutter.

For some reason, I thought Duane Sutter was a pro scout, not amateurs...?

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

Just read the entire thread again. I bet a lot of people who doubted him are feeling pretty sheepish now.

Why would they be?? Gaudreau is the biggest long shot ever still where he was drafted, its a win already with how far he has gone and bonus from here on out. There was a reason Johnny went where he did, others thought he would go later, we took a very smart, calculated risk on the kid and it's looking to pay off so far. Hindsight is always 20/20 though and I am sure the people who doubted are basking in the current glory that Johnny Hockey is showing along with the very few who suggested he would get this far at 5'6 137 lbs when he was drafted.

I didn't necessarily doubt him I was just more or less shocked by his size at the time yet intrigued by his numbers. I loved the poster who was a player from the Saints, he knew all about Johnny and he obviously had a good idea about him. So glad we have Johnny, he still has a road ahead of him but it's looking brighter by the day.

[getbak]

From the Draft day...

Originally Posted by getbak

If he makes the team, people will confuse him with the Scotiabank Skater.

Hey, Conroy stole my joke.

[AC]

I hope Ferland and Wilson fight immediately after coming out of the box. I love when that happens following coincidental penalties.

[foshizzle11]

The PBP guy on the flames feed, not Steinberg, said that the Canucks have a lot of high skilled prospects and the flames have lots of young promising prospects.

Really, after that butt kicking, he still says that? I take that as a shot at the flames and a lack I high end talent. Silly comment to make on a dual broadcast.

[lanny9]

Don't know if this had been posted yet, comparing Gaudreau to McDavid...http://frozenfutures.com/2014/09/14/...onnor-mcdavid/

[Point Blank]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Hahahahaha! ... Really?

Gaudreau has played one more game in the NHL than St. Croix, who turned pro a full season earlier. Even though St. Croix has a full year's head start, Gaudreau has more NHL goals and points than St. Croix has scored in 13 games played in the AHL. "Bust" is a bit strong, but I think it is safe to conclude that at this point, Gaudreau is almost certain to be a better player in the long run.

...yeah really.

The key word is -almost- certain. To me calling hindsight means something more substantial than one NHL game, you don't say something in hindsight unless you've actually seen conclusive results at the NHL level.

[JMN]

Nice little article on TSN regarding Johnny:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=461898

[Igster]

My favourite part of watching Gaudreau is when the opposition players kind of hover back and wait for him to make his move. It's almost like they don't want to bite and look stupid if they try to attack and he just dances past them. I've only ever seen that with a few select players in the NHL.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Point Blank

...yeah really.

The key word is -almost- certain. To me calling hindsight means something more substantial than one NHL game, you don't say something in hindsight unless you've actually seen conclusive results at the NHL level.

I think it's fair to call hindsight even if Johnny doesn't work out at the NHL level. Johnny could be a superstar, possibly as early as this season. St. Croix had 0 points in 13 AHL games, and spent most of last season in the ECHL. Who would you rather have as a prospect?

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Point Blank

...yeah really.

The key word is -almost- certain. To me calling hindsight means something more substantial than one NHL game, you don't say something in hindsight unless you've actually seen conclusive results at the NHL level.

There is a sizeable sample size now from St. Croix's career to suggest that he likely will never play in the NHL, and Gaudreau already has an NHL goal to his credit. It's not just Gaudreau's one game. It is combined with the fact that St. Croix has played in 0, and the fact that that number doesn't look at all likely to change.

There is little room for doubt here. Gaudreau is pretty clearly the better player.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by JMN

Nice little article on TSN regarding Johnny:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=461898

God, I love this kid.

Originally Posted by Johnny Gaudreau

"With every small player you definitely need to show people you can play. Because you're a smaller guy you're at a disadvantage and you need to be better offensively, defensively, at making plays and stuff like that. It's every small guy's problem."

Originally Posted by Leon Draisaitl

"He's small, tiny, and probably one of the most skilled guys I've ever seen. That game we played against him he had four points against us and was by far the best player on the ice."

Originally Posted by Johnny Gaudreau

"I got cut when I was younger a lot ... it sucks but it's something you need to overcome. Every player's been there, whether you're playing in bantam or in the NHL. Everyone needs to overcome it at some point."

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Igster

My favourite part of watching Gaudreau is when the opposition players kind of hover back and wait for him to make his move. It's almost like they don't want to bite and look stupid if they try to attack and he just dances past them. I've only ever seen that with a few select players in the NHL.

The way he dangles the puck in front of him, trying to bait the opposition into going for it, so that he can pull it back and make a move around them reminds me of Lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown. Charlie knows he is being set up but can't help himself.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Igster

My favourite part of watching Gaudreau is when the opposition players kind of hover back and wait for him to make his move. It's almost like they don't want to bite and look stupid if they try to attack and he just dances past them. I've only ever seen that with a few select players in the NHL.

I remember having that impression with Huselius. Feels great to experience it again with Johnny Hockey.