Are Hudler & Gaudreau legitimate first line wingers?

[Dime_On_Flames]

I'd say no for Hudler and as of right now, no for Johnny as well. Gaudreau needs to add the threat of scoring to is arsenal. As of right now, he's more of a playmaker. He's definitely starting to shoot more which is a very positive sign. If he learns how to finish in this league then he'd be a legit superstar.

Maybe it's unfair, but I expect JG be a lot like P. Kane. So YES I do think he's 1 LW capable.

[T@T]

Currently Gaudreau is 12th for LW's ahead of players like Neil, Hartnell and Steen.

Hudler would be 9th for RW's ahead of players like Hossa,Simmons,Doan and Eberle.

So far their both first line wingers. lately both are getting the most ice time as well. Can't wait to see Gaudreau on the PK, he was scary good in Boston.

[GGG]

If Hudler is the best winger on your team you could make the playoffs but you won't win a cup. He could be your second best winger if you have really good center depth. That probably puts him on the second line though.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by T@T

Currently Gaudreau is 12th for LW's ahead of players like Neil, Hartnell and Steen.

Hudler would be 9th for RW's ahead of players like Hossa,Simmons,Doan and Eberle.

So far their both first line wingers. lately both are getting the most ice time as well. Can't wait to see Gaudreau on the PK, he was scary good in Boston.

I think he'd do ok on the PK, but is it really the best use of his energy? If you only have so many minutes to dole out (and those are tough, tough minutes), I'm not sure they're well spent on the pp. He got PK time in BC because the coach needed to give quality pp time to younger players to get them puck touches.

[Arya Stark]

Hudler is definitely a first line winger. Way too early to know with Gaudreau but he's definitely on his way.

[Neeper]

I would say Hudler is, and Johnny will be one day.

[EldrickOnIce]

Hudler, no - good second line winger.
Gadreau, no - could be one day

[Itse]

Originally Posted by GGG

If Hudler is the best winger on your team you could make the playoffs but you won't win a cup.

Oh I don't know. I think if you have genuine stars at center, defense and goal, good depth on wings is enough.

Example: 2009 Penguins. Nothing special on wings.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

I think he'd do ok on the PK, but is it really the best use of his energy? If you only have so many minutes to dole out (and those are tough, tough minutes), I'm not sure they're well spent on the pp. He got PK time in BC because the coach needed to give quality pp time to younger players to get them puck touches.

I think he got PK time at BC because he had 8 shorthanded points more than anything. And it might be just me but I find his play gets better the more minutes he plays.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Hudler, no - good second line winger.
Gadreau, no - could be one day

Could be? There is zero doubt Gaudreau will be a star forward. Zero.

[StrykerSteve]

I think the question would be better phrased "Are these guys All-Stars?"

The answer to which is no. Gaudreau could be one day though.

[Yrebmi]

This thread reminds me a lot of the what is a "star" or "elite" player thread from a while ago. It's a definitions game.
To me a first line player is a player that would not look out of place on a playoff teams first line. So yes, as of right now, both are first line players.

[4oh3]

Huds would be a really really good number 2 on a good team. Can be a 1st liner. johnny not yet. Be patient he's getting better each time he laces them up.

[Mitch]

Hudler is a 2nd line forward, Johnny the same. Neither are first line wingers but if Johnny keeps progressing he could be one in the future.

[jg13]

To those people saying no, how many first line LW and first line RW in the league do you think there are in your opinion?

[Iggy Snipe]

I would say yes, they both are. The way they are playing, by the end of the year they both might be around 70 points. They are just starting to click. It has been fun watching them play together.

[calumniate]

Nope, not yet anyways. We're the team without a first line lol, reason for us being trashed in the preseason predictions. David Jones is our highest paid forward.

However I'd say monahan is the closest to being a first liner right now. Hudler is a good nomination though and gaudreau could definitely become one. Hudler and gaudreau are awesome btw

[Hackey]

Originally Posted by jg13

To those people saying no, how many first line LW and first line RW in the league do you think there are in your opinion?

I don't think it's a numbers thing. Just because there are 30 teams doesn't mean there are 30 first line RWS. Pascal Dupuis is not a first line player in my opinion. Matt Belesky is not a first line player. First line player to me is someone who undoubtedly deserves to be on the top line of any team. So saying that I think the number changes all the time.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Hackey

First line player to me is someone who undoubtedly deserves to be on the top line of any team.

In which case there can be only three first-line players in the league. The second-best player at a forward position does not undoubtedly deserve to be on the top line of any team, because you would not kick the best player off his line to make room for him.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Hackey

I don't think it's a numbers thing. Just because there are 30 teams doesn't mean there are 30 first line RWS. Pascal Dupuis is not a first line player in my opinion. Matt Belesky is not a first line player. First line player to me is someone who undoubtedly deserves to be on the top line of any team. So saying that I think the number changes all the time.

This isn't a legitimate allstar thread.