Reaction To No Gaudreau/Arnold Combo

[Massonite]

Just wanted to throw this out there and get your thoughts

I'm a little shocked that Gaudreau and Arnold didn't play together in the preseason. I realize the team sees them as totally different types of players (top 6 vs. 3/4 liner), but given their history and unquestionable chemistry together I am surprised they didn't get a look together.

Now that Arnold is down in NY and Gaudreau is still here, we might not get to see them play together this year, if at all. But if Johnny does go down for whatever reason do you think they will be reunited at all?

Just seems funny to me that they played together, scored together, signed together but now they've been split up.

[edn88]

Although it is great to think that they two could play together in the NHL, the real talent of the duo is Johnny.

The two are going to have different paths and jobs in the NHL.

[albertGQ]

Arnold is not in Johnny's league. I'm fine and actually happy about it.

Arnold needs to play in the minors and get better. Johnny may be ready for the big show now.

[CsInMyBlood]

They did play together at times in the Penticton rookie tourney, didn't amaze anyone and were split up.

Gaudreau deserves better linemates than Bill Arnold.

[ComixZone]

Arnold projects as a 3rd/4th line centre.

Gaudreau can't play on those lines in the NHL/AHL and expect to succeed. So no, unless Anrold's development takes an unexpected turn, I find it unlikely Gaudreau and Arnold will be linemates.

I do however think they'll be teammates. I think Arnold will end up being a good depth centre for us in the coming years.

[Poe969]

If Arnold can only play well with Johnny then is it fair to play them together to other players? Give the best players the best spots and go form there. It's not like they had the most amazing chemistry of all time or anything....

[Clever_Iggy]

I would be disappointed to see them playing together other than Gaudreau being double shifted. Their college-level chemistry isn't going to drag Arnold up to being an NHL-ready talent, preseason or not, let alone a top 6 forward.

Gaudreau is on the cusp of starting the season with the Flames and getting PP minutes. Arnold is a nice depth prospect that might see some NHL time if enough guys in the bottom 6 get hurt.

[foshizzle11]

I don't think this is a surprised. I don't see Arnold playing 1st or 2nd line minutes in Addy either so even if Johnny is down there, I doubt they play together.

As others mentioned, their paths to the NHL will be quite different. IMO Johnny is ready now and Arnold needs a few years. Maybe he can replace Stajan, Billy kind of reminds me of him when he plays, well the few times that I have seen him play and I wouldn't be sad if that is what he turned into at all.

[dino7c]

I think I would have had good chemistry with JG in the NCAA he is a pretty easy guy to play with

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Chemistry at one level of hockey rarely translates to higher levels.

Junior teammates usually don't have the same shine together when they make the NHL. Same goes for AHL combos. NHL line mates tend not to click at the Olympic level. Keith and Seabrooke were the top NHL defence pairing in 2010, and had chemistry for miles, but at the Olympics Keith thrived while Seabrooke was completely lost.

I'm not surprised that Gaudreau and Arnold haven't played much together, nor do I mind.

[Massonite]

I agree with everyone. Just thought they'd get more of a look together that's all. Get the right guys together on a line and you never know what can happen. It would be kinda cool to see them play together here at some point just to see what happens. Obviously they're 2 different kinds of players but you can't teach chemistry, that's all I'm saying.

I'm sure Arnold will end up here eventually but I really don't see Johnny going anywhere but up. Really hoping he makes the opening night roster.

[BChockeyJunkie]

Agree, they NEEDED to be together in BC, they were the leaders, top skilled, top line. Their skill set worked well in college because of BA's strength and JG's stick skills. But now that they are in the next level, Gaudreau needs to play with more skilled teammates and Arnold needs to play with more grinders.

[RyZ]

No problem at all.

Gaudreau is on another level from Arnold and I'm not sure that Arnold is any more of a prospect than an Agostino or Knight. Guys that more than likely will never make a mark on the NHL.

[stemit14]

I also thought they would get a look on the same line at some point. But I guess it was smart to separate them in order to assess each of them on their own. If Arnold seemed that much better playing with Johnny it would be be even more of an indication that Johnny made Arnold better rather than Arnold elevating Johnny's game.

[djsFlames]

Meh.

And they did play together in Penticton, and didn't look particularly great together.

[Rick M.]

I see Arnold as having good NHL potential as a checking center and penalty killer. These are critical roles but not the same as a 1/2 center which is what Johnny will need.

[wretched34]

Chemistry is built by spending time playing together.
Johnny and Bill didn't have chemistry in the first practice, or game they ever played together at BC, it took time, learning about one another on and off the ice to become what they did.
Which is exactly why they weren't lined together in the pre-season. Hartley and crew want to evaluate the players based on where they project them to play, and also give them the ability to start working on chemistry with new line mates.
Putting Johnny on Bill's wing through pre-season would have done more harm than good, to both players, and the ability to be evaluated fairly.

[wretched34]

Sorry - Double post.

[Vinny01]

No surprise or shock at all. Johnny is being given a chance to prove he is a top 6 forward playing with the Flames best. Arnold was playing more a checking role which is what he hopes to become at this level.

[skudr248]

My personal opinion -

Don't care. Johnny has been a treat to watch regardless of who he is playing with. Once his linemates adapt to his passing ability it will generate a lot more offense. Many of the guys seem not ready for those type of passes which is on them to work through