I like John Gaudreau

[iamca]

Originally Posted by AC

I like Gaudreau too but his 5v5 playoff stats are as embarrassing as anything else with this franchise.

He and Monahan have both been playoff ghosts historically.

I can't imagine he'd re-sign with us, nor do I think that would be the right move for the franchise. We should trade him and recoup some assets. Monahan too. Why hold onto them if they can't get it done when it matters?

I completely agree, but will the GM do it without getting the correct assets?

[Classic_Sniper]

It’s too bad this is likely the last we see of Johnny Gaudreau in a Flames jersey. He was the most dynamic player I’ve ever seen live and always had me out of my seat. I’ve never really understood why he’s been so polarizing to this fanbase. I always thought his try and give a **** meter was present. I get the turnovers, but when you’re expected to drive most of the offense for the team and make something out of nothing happen, turnovers are inevitably going to happen.

If the Flames do trade him, this organization better tread carefully because you still need guys who can get you to the playoffs. Gaudreau can do that. This team has barely made the playoffs throughout in this era and the changes made need to benefit both sides of the playoff race and the playoff run.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I am fine with trading Gaudreau - whenever there is the possibility of improving the team, then do it. However, I do think that the current system is stifling. Today was a good look at that - the Flames did very well early on moving the puck quickly out of their zone, and Gaudreau was phenomenal. Then they got rattled, and started slowing the transition down, and Gaudreau stopped being noticeable at all.


He has performed well in the playoffs when Hartley employed that fast transition - 9 points in 11 games was good. Since then, I haven't liked the way that Calgary plays with respect to the transition, especially recently in trying to play along the boards. If that's the way that Calgary really wants to play from here on it, then yes, please trade him. If not, then I think the Flames should keep him as he is the most purely talented Flame since Iginla.


I am on the fence. He just doesn't fit-in with the style of play. Hire a new coach that wants a quick transition, and Gaudreau will light it up. I don't even think it is about him being 'the guy' or not. He just can't generate off the cycle much, so stop trying to make him. I don't think it has anything to do with effort - you can see him trying and getting angry at times, and then he tries to do too much and it hurts his game.

[djsFlames]

Wish we could have gotten him an Ovechkin/Tarasenko/Laine

Just as I wish we could have gotten Jarome a Johnny Gaudreau.

Things just haven't lined up for us. Always half the puzzle.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Most people here have already nailed it.
It's not about liking Gaudreau; it's about whether we can build a team with him as the main piece which we clearly can't.

The solution may be trading him or the solution may be trading others to support him with elite talent (somehow).
But the status quo is dead.

We had this same argument after the last playoffs and I'm pleased to see most people here on CP have finally come around to the reality that Monahan and Gaudreau aren't going to cut it.

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I am on the fence. He just doesn't fit-in with the style of play. Hire a new coach that wants a quick transition, and Gaudreau will light it up. I don't even think it is about him being 'the guy' or not. He just can't generate off the cycle much, so stop trying to make him. I don't think it has anything to do with effort - you can see him trying and getting angry at times, and then he tries to do too much and it hurts his game.

Nail, meet hammer. Totally agree.

One of the big problems is that when the Flames, as they are today, get rattled, they totally lose their composure, and the fast transition game - like tonight - goes to hell in a handbasket.

As well, watching the PP at the end of the 2nd period, they hesitated, they thought, they passed the puck around...almost everything but pound shots at Khudobin.

That hesitation goes to...what?

Coaching?
(Where should I be? Am in the right place? Should I take my shot from here? Will it rebound somewhere awful?)

Slow thinking? (Uh....oh....puck....must....do....something....do n't....wanna....do...the...wrong....thing.....oops )

Or just simple lack of trust in your instincts?
(Funny thing, when they're firing on all cylinders, the instincts are fine.)

This team is plagued with this mentality. Don't know why.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

I concur.

I think JG takes too much of the blame.

Can you imagine JG with a high end play driving center, with speed, like Mackinnon or Brazal driving up the ice with him.

When he is moving his feet he is an elite player, playing with a guy like Monahan causes him to float at times.

100% correct

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

It's time Bennett is 1C for an entire season.

On another team.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

On another team.

Hell no.

This is one of the few (very few) players who gets it.

You keep that, and you demand it from everyone else who comes onto this roster.

[Mr.Coffee]

One memorable Gaudreau play was against Winnipeg. He got slashed and looked hurt. Milked it and agonized, wandered over to the bench and got off. Clear agony. Looked painful!

A short few moments later, Calgary power play and poof, Johnny back on the ice ready to play no issue whatsoever.

That kinda summed him up for me. Time to move on from Gaudreau. Kid allegedly cares but not in the right way, not through commitment, not as a professional, enough. He doesn’t want to be here, it’s obvious, let’s move on.

[KipperFaNaTic]

My favorite play of the night was Johnny skating full speed down the middle for that penalty when down 6-3... showed me a lot about his character.

I do think he will be traded and I wish him nothing but the best.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Hell no.



This is one of the few (very few) players who gets it.



You keep that, and you demand it from everyone else who comes onto this roster.

He gets it. For 6 games a year.

It's the other 82 that is the problem.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

He gets it. For 6 games a year.

It's the other 82 that is the problem.

Hire a real coach so that Bennett gets to play his natural position and doesn't get slammed with sub-NHL talent.

[Itse]

The Monahan-Gaudreau connection that looked so promising didn't pan out..

To make meaningful changes you basically have to trade one of them, or maybe both.
And that's really all I have to say about that. I don't hate either, I don't think either of them sucks.

Maaaaybe if you get another coach you give them some time, but...

The difficult part is getting returns that make things better instead of worse.

[FireGilbert]

Yeah I like Johnny. He’s created some of the most exciting moments in recent Flames history.

Maybe he could succeed in Calgary under or new coach or retooled roster but it’s time to move on from strictly an asset management perspective. I just hope he leaves in a good hockey trade and is not run out of town undervalued.

What happened though? 5 years ago the Flames were on the verge of going down 3-0 to Anaheim when Gaudreau took over, tying the game with 20s left. Nothing but downhill from there.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Hire a real coach so that Bennett gets to play his natural position and doesn't get slammed with sub-NHL talent.

300+ NHL games and it's the coach who is the problem or the linemates or the deployment.

A playoff beast who has but one series win to his name.

And on and on and on.

Good NHL players don't need excuses.

[browna]

I like him and wish he had some more individual and team success, but it may be time to move on because he isn't re signing here.

The issue may well be that you don't trade him when value is this low.

He's going to allow to move to a select few Eastern Conference teams and the Flyers most likely (see Hayes, Kevin), if he had his choice, so that makes it tough as well to fit with a flat cap etc.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

300+ NHL games and it's the coach who is the problem or the linemates or the deployment.

A playoff beast who has but one series win to his name.

And on and on and on.

Good NHL players don't need excuses.

Good NHL organizations don’t do what the Flames do.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

One memorable Gaudreau play was against Winnipeg. He got slashed and looked hurt. Milked it and agonized, wandered over to the bench and got off. Clear agony. Looked painful!

A short few moments later, Calgary power play and poof, Johnny back on the ice ready to play no issue whatsoever.

That kinda summed him up for me. Time to move on from Gaudreau. Kid allegedly cares but not in the right way, not through commitment, not as a professional, enough. He doesn’t want to be here, it’s obvious, let’s move on.

Cares, but not in the right way? He doesn’t want to be here?

I’m not sure how anyone can tell other than Johnny himself. A lot of people get on Brodie’s case for allegedly looking like he doesn’t care, but I thought he was the Flames’ best defenseman this series along with Andersson.

For me, one play that spoke to me in this game was in second when he had the puck in the corner, drew 2 defenders with him, kicked it out to the open man Monahan. Monahan makes a pass to Giordano which is picked off by Perry, then Gaudreau races down to break up the Perry’s breakaway opportunity.

I think Gaudreau cares. I just think he has a hard time especially in games like this. He was the 104th pick overall for a reason. He has warts in his game, but he also does something no one else on this team does on a regular basis. Makes plays out of nothing, creates his own shot, draws defenders which opens up space for his linemates and etc. I truly believe he needs a play driving centerman to truly unlock his playoff potential. I think this team will miss him if and when he gets traded.

[bax]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

Yeah I like Johnny. He’s created some of the most exciting moments in recent Flames history.

Maybe he could succeed in Calgary under or new coach or retooled roster but it’s time to move on from strictly an asset management perspective. I just hope he leaves in a good hockey trade and is not run out of town undervalued.

What happened though? 5 years ago the Flames were on the verge of going down 3-0 to Anaheim when Gaudreau took over, tying the game with 20s left. Nothing but downhill from there.

Yeah he just went on to score 380 points in the next 383 games. Nothing but downhill for sure...


Does this fan base have any idea how hard it is to find a player that good? What’s the measuring stick here?