Prediction 14/15: Who makes the jump?

[GoJetsGo]

I also thought Gaudreau was the best Flames in his pro debut vs. Vancouver. He was all over the ice, chasing down pucks, back checking and making plays.

There's also the recent Worlds where he was continuously one of Team USA's best players in games that featured a lot of quality NHLers.

There's nothing wrong with preaching patience, and if he doesn't continue to stand out in camp there's no problem with him spending time in the AHL.

But at this point, I think there's a lot of reason for optimism and think there's a good chance he forces their hand and starts in the NHL.

[saXon]

Johnny did very well in his first game, I'll give him that. He played a very sound rookie game. However, if this were a game from a typical NHL vet, it would have been considered an average game. I get it, turning a pro like Burrows inside out, and scoring on his first NHL shot in his first NHL game is exciting.

I'm as excited as the next over this kid. He's a success story at every level. That being said, this is the big show, and to maintain an 80 game schedule with the same intensity is going to be no small feat.

I'll reserve my expectations until he proves he can remain with the big club. This way if he doesn't stick, the disappointment won't be such a hard pill to swallow. If he does exceed expectations, then it's icing on the cake.

[gargamel]

Originally Posted by saXon

Johnny did very well in his first game, I'll give him that. He played a very sound rookie game. However, if this were a game from a typical NHL vet, it would have been considered an average game. I get it, turning a pro like Burrows inside out, and scoring on his first NHL shot in his first NHL game is exciting.

I'm as excited as the next over this kid. He's a success story at every level. That being said, this is the big show, and to maintain an 80 game schedule with the same intensity is going to be no small feat.

I'll reserve my expectations until he proves he can remain with the big club. This way if he doesn't stick, the disappointment won't be such a hard pill to swallow. If he does exceed expectations, then it's icing on the cake.

Isn't that really just an argument to build some pressbox days into his schedule? I think he'd be better off staying with the Flames and getting a night off whenever he needs rest and/or the matchups call for a guy like Wolf to be in the lineup than he would be playing against lesser competition in the AHL. He's one of our 6 best forwards right now, and he's only going to get better. I just don't see what he'd learn in the AHL that he couldn't learn in Calgary, and he's pretty clearly good enough already.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by gargamel

Isn't that really just an argument to build some pressbox days into his schedule? I think he'd be better off staying with the Flames and getting a night off whenever he needs rest and/or the matchups call for a guy like Wolf to be in the lineup than he would be playing against lesser competition in the AHL. He's one of our 6 best forwards right now, and he's only going to get better. I just don't see what he'd learn in the AHL that he couldn't learn in Calgary, and he's pretty clearly good enough already.

How is he clearly good enough? He has never been in a Flames main camp. He has one NHL game in a throw away game where he was riding on adrenaline. Every other game is against kids.

I keep hearing people talk about how he is good enough and how he has proved himself. Let's just throw him in the NHL. Right now if he doesn't make the team out of camp and he isn't an impact player right away he is going to be failing to live up to many fans expectations. That is just not fair. Given the Baertschi situation you would hope fans have longer memories.

Let's see how he does against other NHL players in main camp and the preseason. If he shows he is ready and he out plays players like Granlund then good for him. Put him in the NHL. But if he needs some games or even a season in the AHL to adjust to the pro game (speed, size, travel, # of games, lifestyle, etc) so be it.

That is what the AHL is for. Given how different college is from pro and given Gaudreau's extra challenge in overcoming his size there are lots of reasons the Flames may take advantage of the adjustment opportunity the AHL provides.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Remember when he went to the WC and played against NHL players?

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Remember when he went to the WC and played against NHL players?

Also in comparison to Monahans WC. If he was good enough to make the squad what does that make Johnny? People say what they think should happen and they're not wrong to say so, but what Will happen (in all likelihood) is Johnny will play his way onto the team and then some. He's too far above, and the maturity and defensive game will just solidify it.