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

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Calm down. I've done plenty of praising for Todd and his crew for the job they did while Feaster was running things, and continue to do. But Feaster was running things and allowing his staff to do their jobs, which itself is a great quality in a manager. To say Feaster never saw a single game of Gaudreau's is likely false though.

I forgot that Weisbrod wasn't with the team during that draft.

I would be surprised if Feaster saw Gaudreau heading into the 2011 draft. Tod Button has been pretty open now about how secretive the Flames were going after Johnny, doubt they sent their GM in to get a look, that would have made it obvious.

[Coach]

That's a fair point. Word is most teams were looking to nab Gaudreau but didn't want to spend to high a pick on him for obvious concerns over his bust potential. My understanding is most of the draft floor was pretty choked when the Flames took him.

[polak]

That draft pick could possibly be one the biggest blessings in Flames history. If they waited another round, he'd probably be gone. I can't imagine this team is any where near as exciting without Johnny on it.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

John who? Weisbrod wasn't working for the Flames when we drafted Gaudreau.

Strange that you try to praise everyone except the guys that actually drafted Gaudreau, Tod Button and his scouts. They deserve the vast majority of the credit for the Gaudreau pick. Chances are Feaster had never seen a single game of Gaudreau's.

Would you like it if your boss was praised for your work? Scouts scout and draft, GM's manage. Most GM's have little to no say outside of the first round. They trust their head scout to run the draft.

Good job Mr. Button and the scouting crew.

I think in general, part of what you're talking about is just a lack of knowledge of who the behind the scenes guys are. I for one couldn't name a single scout besides Button.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by heep223

I think in general, part of what you're talking about is just a lack of knowledge of who the behind the scenes guys are. I for one couldn't name a single scout besides Button.

This is a good point. The only one I can name just offhand is Tom Webster, and he's retired now.

[Mony]

Yeah, the Bruins were knocking their knuckles on the table when Johnny was taken, said they should have taken him a round earlier than the Flames. Coyotes also had interest. Thank god we took him 104th.

If the Flames weren't so hush-hush about their interest in Gaudreau, we're probably looking at ourselves wondering why we didn't take him when we had the chance.

[sureLoss]

Another Guy Gaudreau article. You should really go read the article... good stuff from Gilbertson.

http://www.calgarysun.com/2015/02/07...n-sons-success

“We talked to John on that Thursday night until about three in the morning,” recalled Guy Gaudreau. “He really wanted to go. We knew that his heart was set on going, but he wouldn’t go unless his mother said she was alright with it. But she understood that he really wanted to go, and he thought he was ready.

“Every time he’s made a move with his hockey career, he always told us, ‘I’m ready,’ ” Guy continued. “When he went to Dubuque, I didn’t think he was ready. But he said, ‘I’m ready to go play USHL, Dad. I know I can make it.’ So we let him go. Didn’t think he was going to make it, and he did fine there.

“After his first year in the USHL, he wanted to go right to college. We still didn’t think he was ready, but he said, ‘I’m ready to go play college hockey, Dad.’ So he went, and he was right.

“He told us he was ready (to turn pro), so that next morning, we signed with Calgary. We got probably three hours of sleep before we had to get back to Philadelphia. That’s where we met Craig Conroy and signed.”

Johnny was right again — he was ready.

“He didn’t even realize when he made the all-star team that he got paid a bonus for that,” Guy said with a laugh. “He just goes, ‘Oh, I did? That’s cool.’ He didn’t even ask how much. He just thought it was cool he got to go on the ice with (Ryan) Getzlaf and all those big names.

“If Calgary said, ‘We’re not paying you,’ he’d say, ‘Can I still play?’ That’s all he’d care about.”

Gaudreau’s proud pop was headed Saturday to Cowtown for the Flames annual fathers’ trip. The dads will have seats on Sunday’s charter flight to San Jose, stay in the five-star team hotels on this two-game trek to California and be rooting for their kids in both Monday’s meeting with the Sharks at SAP Center (8:30 p.m., Sportsnet West/Sportsnet 960 The Fan) and Thursday’s clash with the Los Angeles Kings.

“I never thought in my entire life that John would play in the NHL, if you want me to be honest with you,” Guy said. “As he turned 14, 15, 16, his skill-set was pretty good, and the USHL was looking at him, and I thought, ‘Oh, maybe he’ll play college hockey somewhere. That would be good.’

“And then he got a full-ride, and I thought, ‘That’s great — he’ll get a four-year education for free, and he’ll walk out of there, and he won’t have any loans or anything like that.’ That’s probably as far as I thought he’d go.

“Even when he got drafted by Calgary, I didn’t think there was much of a chance. Of course, for him, it kind of gave him another boost that he was drafted in the fourth round. He had spoken to other teams, and they were going to draft him in the sixth or seventh round, so he was pretty excited when Calgary drafted him in the fourth round. We were, too. We thought that was pretty neat to be drafted as high as he was, because of his size. I don’t think his skill-set had anything to do with it.

“Even when he was in college, I thought he was doing pretty well, but I still thought his size would hold him back. I thought he’d play in the American Hockey League for a while or maybe go to Europe and play.”

[googol]

So Johnny is now listed as 162lbs?

[Trailer Fire]

Johnny weighs more than me and is several inches shorter...

[tvp2003]

Funny -- I was just thinking this morning that in the course of less than a year, we've gone from

"will he sign with the Flames, this year or at all"

to

"yeah, he signed, can't believe he'll be a Flame"

to

"wow, he's really playing well at the world championships... must temper expectations"

to

"awesome, he made the team"

to

"omg, I can't believe he's playing this well at the NHL level"

to

???

[AcGold]

Whatever soothsayer decided he was worth drafting deserves a raise.

[Scoreface]

And just a very humble family who believed in him but always thought it was best to be supportive in case things didn't work out. His parents always knew he was small so they just wanted him to have fun and do all they could to help him succeed. They were a bit surprised at every level, which speaks to Johnny's character if his parents were a bit surprised at each rung he climbed..and quickly he did.

Since his own parents (or at least Dad in the column), were taken a bit aback by all this, I suppose we are too! And we are. Through all the growing pains into the NHL, much more of what we wlll hear after season's end, this young man is a delight to have in so many ways. Down the road I can see how he will help younger players. That's awesome. Great article.

[united]

St. Louis, like Crosby and Datsyuk, is in the very top tier of lower body strength and balance in the league. It would hinder Gaudreau? LOL! It doesn't hinder any player's game getting stronger both strength and balance wise.

Marty:

[Scoreface]

Yeah, that pic has been posted many times. Although tree trunk thighs and an Arny type build would be nice, it just doesn't fit Johnny's frame, nor the type of game he plays. I believe he has attacked the slow twitch muscle fibres through high rep/endurance training (cross training) to get him to where he is now.

I do agree heavier squats and benches etc. will help, but it has to be be mostly mid-higher reps, as his on ice pedigree is that of a shifty/spinoff a check player given his slightness and foot speed. Sure, Marty is some of that too, but he has a different build where he can put on more weight for a shorter athlete, but he plays a different style and while his foot speed is great, Johnny's is exceptional, not to mention hockey IQ. Both are great, just that Gaudreau has a built in ability/necessity to be where there isn't contact and also make a play/see a play ahead of his opponents. Maybe splitting hairs a bit, but there is a difference IMO.

Are Datsuyk's thighs are that big?

[DeluxeMoustache]

^ this

Gretzky was a slight wiry guy that had vision that set him apart. Gaudreau has some P Kane like shiftiness and neither of those two are hulking specimens

Just because St Louis is short and successful doesn't mean he is the only guy against which to gauge Johnny

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

to

???

Making a decent case for the Calder, of course

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Scoreface

Yeah, that pic has been posted many times. Although tree trunk thighs and an Arny type build would be nice, it just doesn't fit Johnny's frame, nor the type of game he plays. I believe he has attacked the slow twitch muscle fibres through high rep/endurance training (cross training) to get him to where he is now.

I do agree heavier squats and benches etc. will help, but it has to be be mostly mid-higher reps, as his on ice pedigree is that of a shifty/spinoff a check player given his slightness and foot speed. Sure, Marty is some of that too, but he has a different build where he can put on more weight for a shorter athlete, but he plays a different style and while his foot speed is great, Johnny's is exceptional, not to mention hockey IQ. Both are great, just that Gaudreau has a built in ability/necessity to be where there isn't contact and also make a play/see a play ahead of his opponents. Maybe splitting hairs a bit, but there is a difference IMO.

Are Datsuyk's thighs are that big?

I agree, there are many different types of physiques that can be successful. Just because St. Louis does it one way, it doesn't mean that Gaudreau can't do it another. They play different styles.

[GreenLantern]

Getting my Gaudreau jersey framed finally, trying to figure out what to throw in there. Wanted to have some stats along with it from his college career.

So far I've got

Games Played 119
Goals 78
Points 175
2012 NCAA Championship
NCAA 31 game point scoring streak record
Hobey Baker 2013-2014

Anything else I am missing from his college days?

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

Getting my Gaudreau jersey framed finally, trying to figure out what to throw in there. Wanted to have some stats along with it from his college career.

So far I've got

Games Played 119
Goals 78
Points 175
2012 NCAA Championship
NCAA 31 game point scoring streak record
Hobey Baker 2013-2014

Anything else I am missing from his college days?

2011-2012
NCAA (Championship) Winner
NCAA (Hockey East) All-Rookie Team
NCAA (Hockey East) Champion
NCAA (Hockey East) Reg. Season Champion
NCAA (Hockey East) Tournament MVP
2012-2013
NCAA (East) First All-American Team
NCAA (Hockey East) First All-Star Team
NCAA (Hockey East) Player of the Year
NCAA Top Collegiate Player "Hobey Baker Award" Finalist
U20 WJC All-Star Team
U20 WJC Gold Medal
U20 WJC Most Goals (7)
U20 WJC Top 3 Player on Team
2013-2014
NCAA (East) First All-American Team
NCAA (Hockey East) First All-Star Team
NCAA (New England) Walter Brown Award
NCAA (Overall) Most Assists (44)
NCAA (Overall) Most Goals (36)
NCAA (Overall) Most Points (80)
NCAA Top Collegiate Player "Hobey Baker Award"
NCAA Top Collegiate Player "Hobey Baker Award" Finalist

I think he also got a bunch of honors at the beanpot tournament too.

[MrMastodonFarm]

2014 IIHF World Championship - Gold