QOTD: Are you changing your Gaudreau ceiling?

[Hugh Jahrmes]

PPG baby, which is pretty huge these dags

[Tron_fdc]

So who is the straw that stirs the drink on that line? All 3 are having career years.

All I know is our payroll is gonna get REAL expensive in the next 5 years....

[Enoch Root]

Like Parallex, I was always thinking, if he can make it, he's going to be a star. SO I am not changing expectations.

I don't like ceiling numbers, I think that's a bad way to look at it. Also, the league ebbs and flows with respect to points - right now, 80 points would lead the league but we could be back to 100 or even 120 point seasons in a few years.

So my answer is: I see him as being a perennial first page guy. In other words, top 5 or 10 in scoring on good years and top `0 to 20 in other years.

It's hard to believe, but he's still a kid playing with men.

[united]

Not really. I expected 60-65 points in his rookie season, so he's met expectations. I still see him as having the potential for a 30-60-90 season but settling in the area of 25-55-80 barring injury.

[Inferno099]

From watching some games online since he went to BC....
I thought he could be an excellent player for the Flames if given a chance.

My thinking based on that he played his years at BC and wasn't a 17/18 Yr old rushing into league too early.

He isn't my top guy of the pool I'm in but took a gamble the flames would keep in NHL rather than sending to AHL.

I truly believe he will be the flames big point player for years to come...
And with Bennett and Monahan and few others I think we're in for a good treat of exciting hockey for a number of years!!

[troutman]

Very few players score more than a point a game these days. 80 is likely the limit.

[442scotty]

I also expected 60-65 points this year and voted this way in the first poll. I don't see why he cant do 90 pts if he stays healthy

[Cflames_12.5]

Once he reaches his full potential. He could be dropping like 30+ goal and 50+ assists. I think he is just scratching the surface.

[Dr. Doom]

It’s funny, I’ve watched pretty much all of the Flames games this season with an emphasis on JH (hard not to but…)

For a player with his small size but skill, I always worried about the Jeff Skinner factor, where his skill leads him to tough high traffic areas and he gets ploughed often. Making for a short stint at the top of the leaderboard, let alone NHL potentially.

Instead from what I’ve seen he likes to break into the zone – and instead of going straight to high traffic areas – he makes a move or two to either stop and seek a pass or every-so-often like we saw last night he’ll try to deke out a defender (not so common that the opposition EXPECTS it) and he dazzles them. I’ve seen him get ‘close’ to finishing on a number of these this season, but not quite for the majority. Again like last night where Mason put out the right pad to make a good toe save on his dangle.

What I’m trying to say is that these dangles are going to be buried more often in years to come. That and he seems like he will have longevity because he’s unpredictable in what he will do. He scurries defense and creates a lot of open ice out there, making passes/creativity a given when he’s on the ice.

I see him a PPG player. He is literally a Kane 2.0.
I don’t doubt in his prime he could hit 90 playing with a (hard-to-believe) more seasoned Monahan or Bennett.

[DoubleF]

Dangerous proposition to have too high an expectation. I'll vote for sky instead of outer space.

I'm just worried we will put too much pressure on him if he slumps.

[Imported_Aussie]

Originally Posted by flylock shox

I don't think Monahan is a natural linemate for Gaudreau. In a few years, with Bennett and a power forward as linemates, I think he tops out at 90 points with around 30 goals. That's assuming he stays injury free and plays 82 games.

Gaudreau - Bennett - Poirier

That could be a killer line - speed, forechecking, skill, hands.

[HotHotHeat]

Dangerous level of motivation when you tell a kid with this much talent he's going to fail over and over again.

That on ice interview after the game last night was nothing shoft of a '**** you haters'

Freaking awesome.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I think another poll we should have is resigning Hudler. What a career he's had here.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

~70 points seems reasonable, and wouldn't be in the least bit disappointing. Very few guys break the 80 point barrier. A few 70 point seasons would be pretty damned good.

[A Shot Wide]

I'm not as big a believer as some in this thread. I think I'll wait and see how he does against NHL defencemen.

...

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I quietly had him leading the Flames in scoring this year, and to be honest he would be if not for such a great season by Hudler.

But even I am starting to think I need to move the ceiling on this guy from the 20 goal 60 point view I had of him. You'd have to think he'd get better after a rookie season and learning the ropes.

You? Have you adjusted his ceiling based on his rookie season?

Sure, sure. NOW you have him as quietly leading the Flames in scoring this year. Where were you the first 5 games of the year?!

Just jokes man.

It's hard to pinpoint a guy like this. Such a unique talent. I was one of the ones who thought his size would hinder him, not because he'd be getting crunched every game, but rather because he would never be able to muscle a guy off a puck. Well, he's got 56 points, so he's doing something right out there.

I certainly don't see him as Stamkos goal scorer, or a pure assists machine either.

I suppose I will predict him as a 30 goal scorer in his prime years, 70 point guy. He'll have one or 2 seasons of 80+ points.

Remember folks, for a 4th rounder, we are lucky he's played more that 25 games

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

Dangerous level of motivation when you tell a kid with this much talent he's going to fail over and over again.

That on ice interview after the game last night was nothing shoft of a '**** you haters'

Freaking awesome.

I was shocked he gave that answer since he is Mr Soft Spoken. That was kind of a bad question from Hallet though, just sets him up for ridicule from Healy later

[foshizzle11]

From HF Oilers:

Posted by CornKicker

i see more flames games then i would like to admit but im positive that you wont even notice johnny hockey when the playoffs start (if they make it).

I just can't believe how blind these people are. He won't slow down, Johnny Hockey isn't an 18 year old and I don't see him regressing next season.

I love oiler fans and I love the entertainment they provide us. I just had to share this quote.

[Coach]

Honestly had him pegged as a top player after his first year at BC.

He does things I've never seen anyone else do.

[troutman]

Right, Oiler fans have so much "playoff" wisdom to offer.