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

[dammage79]

From an Oiler lover like Spector, I am impressed with the praise and the belief he wrote in that article.

[djsFlames]

Pat and Loubo on the fan now saying they're 100% sure he's an NHLer and should be on the team. Pat thinks he was the best player on the ice in Sylvan yesterday and that he's shown enough now. Loubo says his ability on the PP may be reason enough to keep him up. Both agree that he's proven again and again that he can take hits and not get phased by it. Loubo then added at the end that a short stint in the A couldn't hurt, but would be shocked if he's not on the roster opening night.

I agree. Thoughts?

[AC]

I agree, but I still have a hard time believing management sticks to their word about going with the best 12 forwards regardless of age/contract/etc.

[Poe969]

I agree that he's shown enough to warrant a roster spot but is it worth it? It sounds weird but I think he'd do well in the NHL but not great. I think he'd do great on the heat and then do even better next year or after his first call up to the Flames. I'd let him dominate this year in the A and next year have him as a full timer on the Flames. I also would be happy as a pig in $hit if he made the Flames though....

Overall, I'm just excited he's a part of the Flames.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Pat and Loubo on the fan now saying they're 100% sure he's an NHLer and should be on the team. Pat thinks he was the best player on the ice in Sylvan yesterday and that he's shown enough now. Loubo says his ability on the PP may be reason enough to keep him up. Both agree that he's proven again and again that he can take hits and not get phased by it. Loubo then added at the end that a short stint in the A couldn't hurt, but would be shocked if he's not on the roster opening night.

I agree. Thoughts?

I have been thoroughly impressed with his work in Penticton and last night against the Coyotes. He's ready... as is Granlund (who I would argue has been as impressive through the preseason thus far). Bennett is up tonight. A good chance to continue the momentum he built up in the Young Stars tournament.

[kirant]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Pat and Loubo on the fan now saying they're 100% sure he's an NHLer and should be on the team. Pat thinks he was the best player on the ice in Sylvan yesterday and that he's shown enough now. Loubo says his ability on the PP may be reason enough to keep him up. Both agree that he's proven again and again that he can take hits and not get phased by it. Loubo then added at the end that a short stint in the A couldn't hurt, but would be shocked if he's not on the roster opening night.

I agree. Thoughts?

I'd probably lean closer to Loubardias' thoughts. Gaudreau is looking like a real gem and I'll openly admit I way undersold his potential at the point of draft. I think there's enough data to show that he'll make the NHL based on his ability to read plays so much better than other players. He finds open slots even when being pushed around against preseason squads and I think given his age, he'll find a way to improve that as he gets older to make this skill possible against full NHL teams.

Gaudreau absolutely is an NHLer on the PP. He already has NHL calibre skills when given time and space. And you can see flashes of brilliance in his game. There were plays in the Sylvan Lake game whee I was surprised that a Flame even saw the play develop. Almost every time it was Gaudreau just sneaking past a defender or moving to a spot which seemed intuitive to me. But, again, they were flashes. He isn't dominating, nor do I expect him to dominate at his age.

A stint in the AHL would let him hone his 5v5 skills via heavy minutes and adjust to the pro schedule intensity. But I also think it's quite possible he earns a spot on the starting roster and will, like Monahan, learn on the fly. If he learns the same way Monahan does and a player takes Gaudreau under his guidance (Hudler in Monahan's case), it might make sense.

[djsFlames]

I don't think I'd have the patience to wait until next year for Johnny full time. Yes it's selfish, but I couldn't watch another roster of veteran players with the one bright spot being Monahan, and I guess our work ethic, for another year. At least one of Granlund, Johnny or Baertschi should have a roster spot with his name on it.

My opinion aside, he has proven enough that we know he can be a player in this league, but at the same time you do want him to develop in the best possible way. Maybe he can be just that much better with some pro adjustment time. It's hard to say.

[jg13]

I think he starts with the Flames, not only has he proven in camp that he is ready for the NHL but Hartley's face lights up everytime he gets a chance to talk about Johnny. Seeing as a lot weighs on Hartley's decision I think he starts in Calgary.

The question is if Gaudreau + Granlund start on the Flames who's spots are they taking come opening night?

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by jg13

I think he starts with the Flames, not only has he proven in camp that he is ready for the NHL but Hartley's face lights up everytime he gets a chance to talk about Johnny. Seeing as a lot weighs on Hartley's decision I think he starts in Calgary.



The question is if Gaudreau + Granlund start on the Flames who's spots are they taking come opening night?

Granlund will be taking an injured Backlund spot, move Raymond to the right and Johnny can have his spot. A 3rd line combo with Granlund and Gaudreau: drool.

[442scotty]

The flames need to make room for some of the newcomers. Jettison some of the older guys newly signed or not , contracts or not (seto) (Jones). If not now then at least by Xmas once guys like Agostino, Sven, Granlund, Poirier, Johnny, Ferland and more are ready...Starting to get crowded...time for the young bloods to sweep out the old rot....

[albertGQ]

So who will have a better season out of Johnny, Sven or Markus?

[djsFlames]

But Colborne is now supposed to move back to center.

Glencross - Stajan - Jones
Raymond - Monahan - Hudler
Gaudreau - Colborne - Granlund
Bollig - Bouma - McGrattan

To start without Backlund?

Setoguchi, Byron are extra forwards and can rotate in every odd game

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

So who will have a better season out of Johnny, Sven or Markus?

Johnny will easily put up the best point totals, but I can see Markus being the most reliable player of the three and get used in different situations.

I think my point total prediction for Johnny might be a bit overblown (62) judging by his lack of 'dominance' (yet proficiency) against these larger players so far, though that could change as I think he'll find ways to adapt and still make players look stupid. But 50 might be the realistic high end for Johnny, with 40 pts being very reachable. We'll see..

[TheDebaser]

Trade time's a coming up!

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by 442scotty

The flames need to make room for some of the newcomers. Jettison some of the older guys newly signed or not , contracts or not (seto) (Jones). If not now then at least by Xmas once guys like Agostino, Sven, Granlund, Poirier, Johnny, Ferland and more are ready...Starting to get crowded...time for the young bloods to sweep out the old rot....

I disagree to an extent.

There are no indications that those prospects you listed are ready for the NHL for certain. A couple of them look like they're on the verge of landing a full-time NHL job, but it wouldn't hurt to send them to Glens Falls either.

Granlund looks the most ready of them all and I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the wing come opening night given Backlund's injury.

Gaudreau has looks good in the pre-season so far, but a little seasoning in the AHL wouldn't be the end of the world. He's never been through the rigours of an NHL schedule. He needs to learn that.

Ferland played about a 1/3 of a season last year. He could stand to dominate a bit in Addy before a call-up.

Sven only just showed last game that he's finally learned a complete game, but I wouldn't mind him showing management that he can do that on a consistent basis before sticking with the Flames.

Poirier's been hurt and will be a very important/exciting player in Addy, but not even close to NHL ready yet. I would imagine he's taken a set back because of his injury.

And Agostino looked 'meh' last season in a bottom 6 role.

No need to push the vets out yet until there's zero doubt in Treliving's mind that it needs to be done.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by kirant

I'd probably lean closer to Loubardias' thoughts. Gaudreau is looking like a real gem and I'll openly admit I way undersold his potential at the point of draft. I think there's enough data to show that he'll make the NHL based on his ability to read plays so much better than other players. He finds open slots even when being pushed around against preseason squads and I think given his age, he'll find a way to improve that as he gets older to make this skill possible against full NHL teams.

Gaudreau absolutely is an NHLer on the PP. He already has NHL calibre skills when given time and space. And you can see flashes of brilliance in his game. There were plays in the Sylvan Lake game whee I was surprised that a Flame even saw the play develop. Almost every time it was Gaudreau just sneaking past a defender or moving to a spot which seemed intuitive to me. But, again, they were flashes. He isn't dominating, nor do I expect him to dominate at his age.

A stint in the AHL would let him hone his 5v5 skills via heavy minutes and adjust to the pro schedule intensity. But I also think it's quite possible he earns a spot on the starting roster and will, like Monahan, learn on the fly. If he learns the same way Monahan does and a player takes Gaudreau under his guidance (Hudler in Monahan's case), it might make sense.

Plus, after rewatching the game to focus on other things, I noticed a few other things. Not the least of which, Johnny is easily the best possession player on the team. While Granlund was great on defence and in the offensive zone, Johnny's line either had the puck, or quickly turned it back up ice without allowing many shots. I didn't keep track exactly, but his Corsi for that game was easily the highest on the team. The same was true in his only regular season game

[CliffFletcher]

At this point, the only thing Gaudreau has to prove is that he can handle an 82 game grind. The most games he has ever played is, what, 60? He will wear down as the season goes on - almost all rookies do. Granlund spent a season in the NHL to prove he could handle the grind. I still think Granlund is more likely to play the whole season in Calgary than Gaudreau.

[polak]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

So who will have a better season out of Johnny, Sven or Markus?

Calgary.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by 442scotty

The flames need to make room for some of the newcomers. Jettison some of the older guys newly signed or not , contracts or not (seto) (Jones). If not now then at least by Xmas once guys like Agostino, Sven, Granlund, Poirier, Johnny, Ferland and more are ready...Starting to get crowded...time for the young bloods to sweep out the old rot....

We're only a few million over the cap floor, we can't just start dumping vets and bringing up rookies even if they were ready. Unless you mean bury several vets in the AHL, that would trash our reputation for future UFA signings.

[DOOM]

Originally Posted by Jacks

We're only a few million over the cap floor, we can't just start dumping vets and bringing up rookies even if they were ready. Unless you mean bury several vets in the AHL, that would trash our reputation for future UFA signings.

Sign Diaz, 1 year - 10 million