Thoughts: A second stint for Gaudreau in Calgary?

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

The dweeb on the PP alone would be worth bringing him back.

Contract is the ONLY argument

Gaudreau has obviously mailed it in. Highly doubt he would come back anyway. He is probably taking more heat in Calgary for his poor play in Columbus than there.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

The only reason you would make this trade is so you can buy out the contract.

Johnny is not a better player.

Strong disagree. For Johnny to be as productive as he is at his size, with his speed - that does make him better.

[Jaydee]

Past his prime traitor no thanks

[TheSquatch]

It's conceivable that although the contract number for Huberdeau is worse, he's less toxic, more of a leader, has a better influence on lifestyle and personal decisions for young players, etc. That's worth something. Flames culture has been a little hollow since Iggy. Gio was okay, but didn't have Iggy's talent or charisma. It would be good to have a stable veteran leader in the room year over year, and I'm hoping Huberdeau can be it. That's silver-lining talk for sure, this whole thing sucks... but I don't want JG back at all, for any reason. The fact he signed in a nowhere destination like Columbus shows how bad he wants to win. Meh.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

And he doesn’t look after himself

They have such a wider variety of Skittles in the States than we do up here.

[Classic_Sniper]

Ok, so got around to finally watching Johnny Gaudreau play and boy was it an eye opener.


Gaudreau
So first of all, all the traits that make Johnny great, he still has them:
• Elite Acceleration
• Superb edgework
• Sharp lateral movement
• High end vision, instincts and anticipation
• Quick feet
• Deft hands

Everything is still there from what I can remember. He still has the ability to play and think the game at a high pace. He still executes nifty plays at high speeds (i.e. no look passes, passes through defender’s legs). He can still bend and manipulate the rush to his will and find open linemates joining the play. Still has a knack for gaining the offensive zone with possession and he still has the ability to attack defenders one on one, backing them up and making plays without breaking stride. There’s no doubt in my mind that the same Johnny exists.


Columbus
Secondly, even though my sole focus was on Gaudreau, I couldn’t help noticing the play of the Blue Jacket’s Dmen and centers, or the lack there of. If I was a consultant for Jarmo Kekalainen, I would use one word to describe his team’s play down low: DISASTER.

• Defensemen are soft, soft in front of the net, soft down low, are easily stripped of pucks and lose all kinds of one on one puck battles and 50/50s along the boards with ease
• They can’t kill plays, can’t stop the cycle, thus team is hemmed into their zone for entire shifts +
• They can’t execute basic passes to alleviate pressure
• Not enough poise, even from top guys like Werenski, Provorov, Severson
• So they struggle mightily to cleanly breakout of their own zone
• Their centers offer very little support down low and have trouble turning up ice, they also have trouble driving play, team plays like they have lots of young and/or inexperienced players
• They offer very little resistance in terms of transition defense
• Their most common play is try to flip pucks out of the zone, change lines, give up possession and restart the process of defending again
• If I’m the opposition coach, I’m telling my guys to put as much pressure on their defensemen as possible and crowd their crease, they’ll wilt, cough up pucks and give you all day in front of their net

Honestly, watching the Blue Jackets play has given me a new sense of appreciation for the Flames’ defensemen and centers, especially Backlund and Lindholm.

Even though the Flames don’t have a lot of high end game breaking skill per se, what they do have is a lot of guys who pull up their sleeves, work hard, play the right way, pay attention to details and do the little things well that win 50/50s, puck battles and forward play up ice.

It’s honestly very easy to take those little things for granted as if it’s just simple and expected which isn’t the case when you’re a fan of a bad team.


Verdict
In conclusion, I would absolutely take Gaudreau back 100%. He hasn’t lost a step or his abilities. He’s probably the least of the worries from what I saw. I’m not going to excuse his lack of passion and effort that his coach probably isn’t seeing, that’s on him to show up every game/shift, but I can see why he’s frustrated and becoming resigned watching the gongshow that is his team behind their net

Ultimately, I think Gaudreau would still do very well here because the team’s strengths would cater more to his strengths. Do i see it happening though? Probably never will. But all I know is if he ever goes to a different team that can defend/break out more efficiently and make more use of his elite skillset, then I think Gaudreau would be highly productive again.

That’s what he had here in 21-22, his line spent very little time defending which gave him plenty of opportunities to get on the rush and create whereas with Columbus, he barely had a handful from the game I watched.

Right now, I’d compare him to a Ferrari stuck in traffic everyday. If you can get him out in the open road, I still think there’s a lot there. So If I’m a GM of a good team, I’m actively pursuing him because he’s still a special player who can help transform your offense.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

Ok, so got around to finally watching Johnny Gaudreau play and boy was it an eye opener.


Gaudreau
So first of all, all the traits that make Johnny great, he still has them:
• Elite Acceleration
• Superb edgework
• Sharp lateral movement
• High end vision, instincts and anticipation
• Quick feet
• Deft hands

Everything is still there from what I can remember. He still has the ability to play and think the game at a high pace. He still executes nifty plays at high speeds (i.e. no look passes, passes through defender’s legs). He can still bend and manipulate the rush to his will and find open linemates joining the play. Still has a knack for gaining the offensive zone with possession and he still has the ability to attack defenders one on one, backing them up and making plays without breaking stride. There’s no doubt in my mind that the same Johnny exists.


Columbus
Secondly, even though my sole focus was on Gaudreau, I couldn’t help noticing the play of the Blue Jacket’s Dmen and centers, or the lack there of. If I was a consultant for Jarmo Kekalainen, I would use one word to describe his team’s play down low: DISASTER.

• Defensemen are soft, soft in front of the net, soft down low, are easily stripped of pucks and lose all kinds of one on one puck battles and 50/50s along the boards with ease
• They can’t kill plays, can’t stop the cycle, thus team is hemmed into their zone for entire shifts +
• They can’t execute basic passes to alleviate pressure
• Not enough poise, even from top guys like Werenski, Provorov, Severson
• So they struggle mightily to cleanly breakout of their own zone
• Their centers offer very little support down low and have trouble turning up ice, they also have trouble driving play, team plays like they have lots of young and/or inexperienced players
• They offer very little resistance in terms of transition defense
• Their most common play is try to flip pucks out of the zone, change lines, give up possession and restart the process of defending again
• If I’m the opposition coach, I’m telling my guys to put as much pressure on their defensemen as possible and crowd their crease, they’ll wilt, cough up pucks and give you all day in front of their net

Honestly, watching the Blue Jackets play has given me a new sense of appreciation for the Flames’ defensemen and centers, especially Backlund and Lindholm.

Even though the Flames don’t have a lot of high end game breaking skill per se, what they do have is a lot of guys who pull up their sleeves, work hard, play the right way, pay attention to details and do the little things well that win 50/50s, puck battles and forward play up ice.

It’s honestly very easy to take those little things for granted as if it’s just simple and expected which isn’t the case when you’re a fan of a bad team.


Verdict
In conclusion, I would absolutely take Gaudreau back 100%. He hasn’t lost a step or his abilities. He’s probably the least of the worries from what I saw. I’m not going to excuse his lack of passion and effort that his coach probably isn’t seeing, that’s on him to show up every game/shift, but I can see why he’s frustrated and becoming resigned watching the gongshow that is his team behind their net

Ultimately, I think Gaudreau would still do very well here because the team’s strengths would cater more to his strengths. Do i see it happening though? Probably never will. But all I know is if he ever goes to a different team that can defend/break out more efficiently and make more use of his elite skillset, then I think Gaudreau would be highly productive again.

That’s what he had here in 21-22, his line spent very little time defending which gave him plenty of opportunities to get on the rush and create whereas with Columbus, he barely had a handful from the game I watched.

Right now, I’d compare him to a Ferrari stuck in traffic everyday. If you can get him out in the open road, I still think there’s a lot there. So If I’m a GM of a good team, I’m actively pursuing him because he’s still a special player who can help transform your offense.

I have watched more then a few Jackets games this year and I strongly disagree with a lot here. Gaudreau looks checked out and out of shape to me. He looks gassed halfway through a shift, he throws pucks away, and he doesn't drive play or has that spark he had here. Unlike Huberdeau who clearly gives effort every night I rarely see that from Gaudreau. He doesn't even remotely look like the Gaudreau that was here. I don't know if that is because he is unhappy with the team or he just does not prioritize hockey anymore but I would not trade anything for him at this point including Huberdeau.

[browna]

Gaudreau needs a solid linemate, as he did here to unlock his individual skill.
First Monahan. Then Tkachuk.
Never mind a third, first Ferland, then Hudler, then Lindholm.

He doesn't have that chemistry with any one in CLB from what I can tell.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by browna

Gaudreau needs a solid linemate, as he did here to unlock his individual skill.
First Monahan. Then Tkachuk.
Never mind a third, first Ferland, then Hudler, then Lindholm.

He doesn't have that chemistry with any one in CLB from what I can tell.

He should not have any issues putting up points with Laine and Marchenko.

[Spurs]

ideally we won't have either but as much as I wasn't a big Johnny fan even when he was here you take him 100 times out of 100 if you can move Hubredeau for him.

Better contract, for less term and while both are struggling this year Gaudreau had a much better year last season and is more likely to be good going forward.

All talk of course because no way Columbus or Johnny agree to the deal anyways.

[Bonded]

Huberdeau is looking… good

[Paulie Walnuts]

So Gaudreau has a better year last year and has pretty much quit on his team and is embarrassing himself.

Huberdeau looks to be bouncing back. Care's a lot and his teammates love him.

So the better bet is Gaudreau going forward being the better player?

Spurs is unbelievable, can always count on him to dump on a Flame and pump up someone else who sucks.

[Flamesfan05]

Both are struggling putting up points

Question is who is just having a slump? Or on his way to become the next James Neal.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Had the most vivid dream of Gaudreau scoring as a Flame for a second time. Maybe this is happening!

Still rooting for Huberdeau to turn it around.

[Spurs]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

So Gaudreau has a better year last year and has pretty much quit on his team and is embarrassing himself.

Huberdeau looks to be bouncing back. Care's a lot and his teammates love him.

So the better bet is Gaudreau going forward being the better player?

Spurs is unbelievable, can always count on him to dump on a Flame and pump up someone else who sucks.

You are going off a 5-7 game sample size? That is about how long it has been since Hubredeau has been better this year than Gaudreau, before that they were similar in points. Last year Gaudreau had clearly the much better year.

Not sure why it is crazy to look at the 80-ish game sample size over 5 games.

I also love how saying I don't want Gaudreau on this team is now "pumping up"

[dino7c]

Gaudreau had more points last year...he was also -33
not sure he was better...Huberdeau was actually decent defensively last year Sutter had him playing both ways

Huberdeau is better this season so far...not 5 games, the entire season

[Paulie Walnuts]

Up until last season Huberdeau was the more consistent performer from the 3-100 point players changing teams.

Like I said before of Florida offered is Huberdeau in the summer of 21 for Gaudreau straight up most people would have ran with that deal.

[Spurs]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Gaudreau had more points last year...he was also -33
not sure he was better...Huberdeau was actually decent defensively last year Sutter had him playing both ways

Huberdeau is better this season so far...not 5 games, the entire season

Gaudreau put up 20 more points playing with Laine for 55 games and Boone Jenner as the top scorers outside of him. He led the team in scoring by 20 points.

Hubredeau had better players to play with and was 5th on his team in scoring.

Plus/Minus, even if it was a useful stat, doesn't outweigh all that. I can't see any argument outside of Hubreadeau being a Flame for him having a better season than Johnny.


On November 10th Gaudreau had 6 points, Hubredeai had 7 not exactly a massive difference. Both we struggling and had been benched. Hubredeau has turned it around since then but hardly a long period of good play from him so far this year.

[Flamesfan05]

Assuming both can still play and want to play here (big assumptions), I would take Gaudreau over Huberdeau without blinking.

Johnny at least has proven that he can play well here, Huberdeau hasn’t.

[Vinny01]

Laine a healthy scratch tonight I wonder if Johnny is not far behind?