NY Times Gaudreau article. Update: response from Johnny

[saXon]

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/03/29...stay-in-school

Eric Francis with an opinion most Flames fans don't want to hear.

Calgary Flames fans don’t want to hear or read this, but Jane Gaudreau may just be right.
Her son, young Johnny, probably should play one more year at Boston College.
He probably should graduate.
He probably should take the time to get bigger and stronger.
And he probably should enjoy one final year as little big man on campus.

It would certainly be exciting to have a young speedster who tied Paul Kariya’s Hockey East-record 31-game point streak in Calgary as part of the rebuild.
All Flames fans want that.
Not many in Calgary want to risk losing him by admitting moms usually know best.
But deep down most observers probably know that having patience — and listening to his mother — is probably what will serve him best in the long run.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by saXon

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/03/29...stay-in-school

Eric Francis with an opinion most Flames fans don't want to hear.

Francis and his source are both just wrong, and here is why:

Originally Posted by Eric Francis

“He may not grow but he can put on muscle. He’s certainly not going to hurt himself by playing another year down there.”

And, as other hockey experts point out, he can refine his defensive game. Offensively, he can’t get much better.

Gaudreau isn't going to do much to refine an already pretty impressive defensive game, and he isn't going to improve AT ALL playing in a league that he has clearly completely outgrown.

Has there ever been a 2.00 point/game player in the NCAA who returned to college?

[Day Tripper]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Has there ever been a 2.00 point/game player in the NCAA who returned to college?

Marty St. Louis.

[Day Tripper]

“My inclination with these guys is always to stay there another year,” said one NHL GM when asked what was best for the left winger long term.


“You get an education and time to grow and train. They play Fridays and Saturdays and train the other five days.


“He may not grow but he can put on muscle. He’s certainly not going to hurt himself by playing another year down there.”

So was it Craig MacTavish who said that, or was it Mike Gillis?

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Day Tripper

Marty St. Louis.

I think this actually argues my point in my favour, considering how much different the NCAA game is today from when St. Louis played. Any players from the past decade? The past 15 years even?

Furthermore, when St. Louis went back for his senior year at Vermont, his numbers took a big hit. It may not have affected him long-term (or, perhaps it did, considering how long it then took for him to break out in the NHL upon his graduation), but it looks to me like he might have just simply run out of room in college hockey to continue his development with that extra season.

Gaudreau would run a similar risk: He has outgrown the NCAA, and I believe now has more to lose with an extra year than he stands to gain.

[FBI]

This from Eric Francis "mark my words Cammalleri WILL be traded"?
So we're looking good on signing Johnny then!

[Racki]

I haven't heard it mentioned but I think the fact that his linemates will be moving on may be a factor as well. Does he really want to go back and play one more year with inferior, younger guys on his line? I doubt it.

[Vinny01]

I read rumblings on hf that Hayes might not sign with the Hawks. Instead of getting Wheelered by Johnny maybe we will benefit from Hayes wanting to join his BC line mates in Calgary?

[albertGQ]

^^^

Not this again.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I read rumblings on hf that Hayes might not sign with the Hawks. Instead of getting Wheelered by Johnny maybe we will benefit from Hayes wanting to join his BC line mates in Calgary?

Considering Arnold and Hayes are more likely to end up in Abbotsford than Calgary and the history of linemates, let alone whole lines, working in the NHL is basically zero that would be a pretty dumb decision by him to make.

[stemit14]

I don't think Hayes would turn down the chance to be on the hawks... However, he might look at the flames as being a team he would have a better shot at cracking the lineup.

[MissTeeks]

I read this earlier in the week:

“@MarkDivver: Hawks source tells me team is @ 48 contracts -- 50 is NHL limit. Last 2 will go to draft picks Kevin Hayes (BC) & Stephen Johns (ND).”

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by saXon

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/03/29...stay-in-school

Eric Francis with an opinion most Flames fans don't want to hear.

I don't give a #### what Francis has to say. He goes against the grain for the sake of going against the grain and getting attention. If you're near the game and not associated with a rival team, you must have spent this past year in a hole to be telling a kid with a 15 point lead on the nation's scoring race who can single handedly sink a playoff team in half a game to go back and play there again for a year. Defensive game? Does Francis really think he's going to develop a better defensive game in the NCAA or Abbotsford where Sven is apparently making huge strides with the coaching staff there.

Everybody else in the Flames media who isn't a ##### said it this week, it's time to move on.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by saXon

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/03/29...stay-in-school

Eric Francis with an opinion most Flames fans don't want to hear.

It's more that Flames fans just don't want to hear Francis's opinion in general. He always writes contrary opinion articles to get attention and ruffle feathers. This is nothing new.

[$ven27]

Is the Boston game on TV anywheres? Or just online?

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by $ven27

Is the Boston game on TV anywheres? Or just online?

ESPNC as soon as the Kentucky/Vanderbilt baseball game wraps up.

[saXon]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

I don't give a #### what Francis has to say. He goes against the grain for the sake of going against the grain and getting attention. If you're near the game and not associated with a rival team, you must have spent this past year in a hole to be telling a kid with a 15 point lead on the nation's scoring race who can single handedly sink a playoff team in half a game to go back and play there again for a year. Defensive game? Does Francis really think he's going to develop a better defensive game in the NCAA or Abbotsford where Sven is apparently making huge strides with the coaching staff there.

Everybody else in the Flames media who isn't a ##### said it this week, it's time to move on.

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

It's more that Flames fans just don't want to hear Francis's opinion in general. He always writes contrary opinion articles to get attention and ruffle feathers. This is nothing new.

Oh I never said I agree with him. In fact I'm of the belief Francis should get a job at McDonalds. It would certainly showcase his skills much better.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by getbak

How many Skittles would it take to lay a path from Carneys Point, NJ to Calgary?

Wait, back the trolley up a moment. 'Carneys Point' is not only a real place but its in New Jersey? Thats fantastic!

Originally Posted by saXon

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/03/29...stay-in-school

Eric Francis with an opinion most Flames fans don't want to hear.

I dont disagree with him. I dont think its the best decision for various reasons, but it wouldnt be the worst decision either.

[PeteLFan]

@SUNRandySportak: #Flames prospect Johnny Gaudreau has set up the game's first goal for Boston College in their Frozen Four semifinal.

[Buck Murdock]

Gaudreau better be the second coming of Gretzky or allot of people are going to be disappointed, the hype is getting out of control.