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

[djsFlames]

World Cup, obvs.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Strange, I was hearing in the 4-500 range

So, the arena announcement will be 'soon soon' or 'far soon'.

[Robbob]

back to deals taking on 20 million. I wonder what else the flames were to take on because Ward and Riberio amount to 11ish. Almost sounds like a couple anchor contracts from each team or maybe there was another team. NYI?

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Camronius

The bold sums it up. I watched the entire game, every time Johnny touched it, he created space or put the puck into space. His linemates did nothing to give him options and for whatever reason didn't pass to him when he was open. I kept thinking Johnny was wide open in certain scenarios but the puck wouldn't get to him. Extremely frustrating game to watch. Backlund also showed ok in that game... would have like to see them put together as they were the only 2 making things happen.

Thanks for this. Down the road I see Johnny and Bennett playing together because Bennett can both finish and find Johnny with crisp passes. Bennett's wheels, stick handling and mean streak are just an added bonus.

[FBI]

I was watching Johnny very close in the last game and he made a ton of really good little plays. Just nothing big. For example one play, he get a pass on the boards in his own zone totally covered, chips it out right on to the stick of our rushing player despite being bear hugged.

The problem was he didn't get the puck to carry it in, Colborne didn't seem to pass it to him, and Raymond was trying to impress by holding the puck in the corners the whole time... Was a weird game but Johnny still played well. If we had an AC video summary of JG for that game I think Burke would have to take back those comments.

[Rick M.]

That's interesting, FBI, and like what happened in the World Championship. Johnny hardly handled the puck at the start of the tournament but once his teammates discovered what he could do they started looking for him. Perhaps the coaches told them too, who knows.

[FBI]

Yeah I'm a little worried that the veterans will like to carry it in all the time, but I'm sure they will figure it out soon enough.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by pylon

I said it at the CP draft last night when I took him.

65 points in his rookie season.

Let the mocking begin, but I believe he will score 25+ in his rookie campaign. It may be the rose coloured glasses, but his raw talent hasn't been seen on this team in 2 decades. The Flames learned their lesson with what became of Martin St. Louis, and Marc Savard to a certain extent. I have to believe they will not make the same mistake a third time.

I took him in my pool too, but with the last pick of the draft (snake) and he was player 140 taken which in my list had me down to 55 point players. My rankings had two rookies ahead of guys like Franz Nielsen and James Wisniewski. Went with the upside (knutzseov was already gone)

[PeteMoss]

Its a fair point by Burke. If Gaudreau ends up being the top offensive threat on the team, home teams will match-up their best defensive guys against him which is a challenge for any rookie.

Even MacKinnon had Duchene (and others) shielding him for a good portion of the year and then once Duchene got hurt MacKinnon showed he could deal with it.

[Bingo]

On his jersey number ...

that's a tough one. You have Burke's no high number rule clashing with the NHL mantra of camp number until you're told you're staying forever.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by Robbob

back to deals taking on 20 million. I wonder what else the flames were to take on because Ward and Riberio amount to 11ish. Almost sounds like a couple anchor contracts from each team or maybe there was another team. NYI?

I think it's just those two. Both have multi years remaining on their contracts.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Its a fair point by Burke. If Gaudreau ends up being the top offensive threat on the team, home teams will match-up their best defensive guys against him which is a challenge for any rookie.

Even MacKinnon had Duchene (and others) shielding him for a good portion of the year and then once Duchene got hurt MacKinnon showed he could deal with it.

That's why Johnny has to play with top players so we can counter punch if opposing teams try to smother him. He has to have someone skilled to pass to.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Bingo

On his jersey number ...

that's a tough one. You have Burke's no high number rule clashing with the NHL mantra of camp number until you're told you're staying forever.

Baertschi?

Edit: I know you're referring to Gaudreau, I am just pointing out Sven

[Bingo]

good example the other way ...

I was thinking of Lombardi and Moss in the previous regime, but yeah Baertschi was moved this summer with no promise of a NHL gig.

But then why didn't they move Gaudreau then?

Hayes on Twitter pointed out that they are running out of numbers so a guy like Bennett will probably be able to wear 39

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Hayes on Twitter pointed out that they are running out of numbers so a guy like Bennett will probably be able to wear 39

If that's true, does Burke give on his 35 and under rule, assign the same number to multiple players (ie. 27 not being reserved for Baertschi) or open up #2, #12, #14, etc...?

If Burke wants lower numbers, he should open up to 40 to avoid this situation... but he's stubborn as a mule, so this should be interesting.

[calumniate]

I really think it should be Trelivings' call. So annoying

[sureLoss]

Gaudreau got his #13 per the Calgary Flames opening day roster

[getbak]

I wonder if they'll have the jerseys at the FanAttic tomorrow?

[jg13]

Nice to see my gamble back in June paid off

@getbak i'd expect they will, they know this kid is going to sell a ton of jerseys why not have them for the opener!?

[Coach]

I almost had mine changed during one of the preseason games. I think I'll wait until the Flames have a more awesome jersey though. Or if they end up wearing the retros this year.