[News] Gaudreau excited to be part of the Flames

[4oh3]

Coaching staff isn't really with baertschi but still I'm excited to see this guy play

[cannon7]

I won't be surprised if he plays out his college career. If he intended to sign before he graduated, he would have done so this summer.

[jg13]

This is the best news I could have heard today after losing my sportselect card due to Chicago finding a way to lose despite outshooting dallas 50-18

[DOOM]

Originally Posted by cannon7

I won't be surprised if he plays out his college career. If he intended to sign before he graduated, he would have done so this summer.

No, he really wouldn't of.

Ugh.

[Delthefunky]

Awesome to hear. My favourite prospect right now by far.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

With a link, otherwise it is just hearsay.

And Judge Judy hates hearsay.

[vilzeh]

Welcome Johnny!

[dying4acup]

Fact: any US college hockey player who signs a pro contract, collects money or compensation for any hockey related activities, including signing autographs or accepting a car loan to buy his mother a car due to his fame, or hires an agent licensed by the NHLPA, is no longer legible to play hockey in the US college system.

Source: DYING4ACUP

[djsFlames]

Johnny's awesome, he's my favorite

I just don't understand the unsure-ness.

You're exceptionally talented, really good. You're in an organization that has talented youth currently at the top of its priority list. You've dominated the league you're in for a while now, to the point where it's just not even a competition anymore. You've now had the chance to play with your brother. You have the option to return to school to finish if you desire later on. You can go from the lowly student life to cashing in on a 6 figure contract with a simple thumbs up. You can have your first game in the big league probably within a year. The city and fans are so eager to see you play.

Does this guy want to be a pro or what? It's a dream of all players and fans alike. And he has only to reach out and take it right now, yet he seems so strangely and firmly on the fence. I know patience is important too, especially when your frame isn't quite up to what you probably want and will need it to be to be a regular player. But it's time to move up to the next level. He can survive in the AHL fine I'm sure, and train with the pros and guys in Abbotsford while challenging himself with some far better competition. It's only logical at this point. I hope it's not friends and a comfortable/familiar situation that's holding him back. Change can be tough, but in Johnny's case, it's for the better. There's no doubt. He's got the tools, now it's time to use them.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Johnny's awesome, he's my favorite

I just don't understand the unsure-ness.

You're exceptionally talented, really good. You're in an organization that has talented youth currently at the top of its priority list. You've dominated the league you're in for a while now, to the point where it's just not even a competition anymore. You've now had the chance to play with your brother. You have the option to return to school to finish if you desire later on. You can go from the lowly student life to cashing in on a 6 figure contract with a simple thumbs up. You can have your first game in the big league probably within a year. The city and fans are so eager to see you play.

Does this guy want to be a pro or what? It's a dream of all players and fans alike. And he has only to reach out and take it right now, yet he seems so strangely and firmly on the fence. I know patience is important too, especially when your frame isn't quite up to what you probably want and will need it to be to be a regular player. But it's time to move up to the next level. He can survive in the AHL fine I'm sure, and train with the pros and guys in Abbotsford while challenging himself with some far better competition. It's only logical at this point. I hope it's not friends and a comfortable/familiar situation that's holding him back. Change can be tough, but in Johnny's case, it's for the better. There's no doubt. He's got the tools, now it's time to use them.

Don't really understand your question here. What makes you think that he doesn't want to be a pro? That he isn't one already?

It is no big secret that Gaudreau is on the smaller side. Players like him typically need to physically mature before going on the ice with guys much bigger and much more developed - especially at the NHL level.

In this past off-season, when the media was grilling him about signing in Calgary, he made a point of stating so himself - that he needs to get a little bit bigger before he can make the jump.

I don't think he has given anyone doubts about his desire to turn pro. He is developing along very nicely, and putting on some weight. I think he has been very professional up until this point, and don't see a reason to question him or his intentions at all.

[neo45]

He will sign around the same time this year that Hanowski did last year. Probably a contract similar to Corban Knight's in structure and cap hit

[dying4acup]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Johnny's awesome, he's my favorite

I just don't understand the unsure-ness.

You're exceptionally talented, really good. You're in an organization that has talented youth currently at the top of its priority list. You've dominated the league you're in for a while now, to the point where it's just not even a competition anymore. You've now had the chance to play with your brother. You have the option to return to school to finish if you desire later on. You can go from the lowly student life to cashing in on a 6 figure contract with a simple thumbs up. You can have your first game in the big league probably within a year. The city and fans are so eager to see you play.

Does this guy want to be a pro or what? It's a dream of all players and fans alike. And he has only to reach out and take it right now, yet he seems so strangely and firmly on the fence. I know patience is important too, especially when your frame isn't quite up to what you probably want and will need it to be to be a regular player. But it's time to move up to the next level. He can survive in the AHL fine I'm sure, and train with the pros and guys in Abbotsford while challenging himself with some far better competition. It's only logical at this point. I hope it's not friends and a comfortable/familiar situation that's holding him back. Change can be tough, but in Johnny's case, it's for the better. There's no doubt. He's got the tools, now it's time to use them.

After he was drafted, there was no question he should go back to school. I doubt the flames even offered him a chance to turn pro. Same the following year. He is small and needed to develop his small frame and game. He is becoming a star south of the border, but there is still guarantee he will be able to cut it in the NHL. All this time, attending Flames developmental came, and bonding with flames prospects.

This summer was a reasonable time to expect Jonny to go pro, but at the same time, it was probably best, developmentally, for him to go back to school, and continue to be a superstar, while improving his body. He also got a chance to play high level hockey with his brother at his side, for the 1st and only time in his life.

If Jonny isn't under contract within 6months, go ahead and worry. But I will bet me left shoe he plays AHL games, if not NHL games before May.

Nothing to see here

[Red Ice Player]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Johnny's awesome, he's my favorite

I just don't understand the unsure-ness.

You're exceptionally talented, really good. You're in an organization that has talented youth currently at the top of its priority list. You've dominated the league you're in for a while now, to the point where it's just not even a competition anymore. You've now had the chance to play with your brother. You have the option to return to school to finish if you desire later on. You can go from the lowly student life to cashing in on a 6 figure contract with a simple thumbs up. You can have your first game in the big league probably within a year. The city and fans are so eager to see you play.

Does this guy want to be a pro or what? It's a dream of all players and fans alike. And he has only to reach out and take it right now, yet he seems so strangely and firmly on the fence. I know patience is important too, especially when your frame isn't quite up to what you probably want and will need it to be to be a regular player. But it's time to move up to the next level. He can survive in the AHL fine I'm sure, and train with the pros and guys in Abbotsford while challenging himself with some far better competition. It's only logical at this point. I hope it's not friends and a comfortable/familiar situation that's holding him back. Change can be tough, but in Johnny's case, it's for the better. There's no doubt. He's got the tools, now it's time to use them.

Geez...what unsure-ness? Let him finish his season. Why should he abandon his teammates mid season? What college player does that? It just doesn't happen.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Marty St Louis wasn't a full-time NHLer until he was 27. He had his first PPG season at 29.

So even if we are to assume that this kid is the next St Louis, he's got a very long way to go before before he's an impact player at the NHL level.

I think he should finish college, because it's a lot easier to train, spend time in the gym, and most importantly REST when you're in college. This kid needs to put on a stupid amount of muscle if he wants to make it in the big show, and college is probably the best place for him to do that.

Then spend a couple of years in the AHL, learning how not to get murdered by professionals (who will be trying to murder him). He's going to be a natural target, and guys are going to try to injure him on a routine basis. At least in the AHL he'll be better and faster than a lot of the guys trying to kill him.

Then move up to the NHL. Around 2017-18 or so.

Slow and steady. He has the talent. It just needs to be developed properly. No need to rush him.

[TjRhythmic]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Johnny's awesome, he's my favorite

I just don't understand the unsure-ness.

You're exceptionally talented, really good. You're in an organization that has talented youth currently at the top of its priority list. You've dominated the league you're in for a while now, to the point where it's just not even a competition anymore. You've now had the chance to play with your brother. You have the option to return to school to finish if you desire later on. You can go from the lowly student life to cashing in on a 6 figure contract with a simple thumbs up. You can have your first game in the big league probably within a year. The city and fans are so eager to see you play.

Does this guy want to be a pro or what? It's a dream of all players and fans alike. And he has only to reach out and take it right now, yet he seems so strangely and firmly on the fence. I know patience is important too, especially when your frame isn't quite up to what you probably want and will need it to be to be a regular player. But it's time to move up to the next level. He can survive in the AHL fine I'm sure, and train with the pros and guys in Abbotsford while challenging himself with some far better competition. It's only logical at this point. I hope it's not friends and a comfortable/familiar situation that's holding him back. Change can be tough, but in Johnny's case, it's for the better. There's no doubt. He's got the tools, now it's time to use them.

I don't get this.

He said this summer that he wants to go back to school, he wants to get stronger, and he wants to play with his brother. And he also mentioned several times that he looks forward to one day playing for the Flames... is even excited.. I've never really got the impression that he is "on the fence" with regards to turning pro, to me he knows exactly what he wants and is doing what he feels he needs to, and wants to.

I'm looking forward to this kid. I know a lot of people are worried about his size, but what eases me is that he's always been the smallest guy. He's adapted in each situation, and found ways to produce regardless. It's not like he's going from being the biggest guy in his respective league to the smallest... He's had to deal with size issues his whole hockey career up to now... taking the next step to pro is no different. He'll be fine, might even be great

[stemit14]

He's 20 years old, he's a superstar on a college team in a huge sports town, he's a lock to be a millionaire within a few years, and he can sign that contract whenever he wants... I think life feels pretty good for him right now so I can understand if he doesn't want to rush it.

I 100% believe he will sign with Calgary but I also understand why he hasn't signed yet and why he's not guaranteeing that he will sign. Two years ago he was a low probability prospect who needed to prove a lot to even get offered a pro contract. By playing as much college hockey as he has, he is now a highly valuable prospect who will be able to negotiate his rookie contract from a position of strength. Even more so if the team is nervous that he might leave cause he hasn't outright guaranteed he will sign.

[FlameZilla]

Johnny is going to be fun to watch in the Flaming C. He had some great chemistry with Monahan in dev camp.

Calgary is a great place for him to make his name.

[GreenLantern]

Weird. There’ll be me playing Xbox

So we finally have our answer. We now know which side the Gaudreaus are on.

[FBI]

That article totally puts my mind at ease.
Also I literally get butterflies reading about this guy and watching him play.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

Johnny is going to be fun to watch in the Flaming C. He had some great chemistry with Monahan in dev camp.

Calgary is a great place for him to make his name.

Do you get the feeling Baertschi is keeping Gaudreau's spot in the lineup warm for him? Bartschi better start thinking about being a nice complimentary player to Jankowski or Colborne. I think that's where he ends up slotting in, as Monahan and Gaudreau are our go-to pair up front.