Johnny Hockey At WC

[Freeway]

Hartley's a fan of "dartboard" or "blender" lines, so a lot of the line combo discussion is probably moot anyway...

[DoubleF]

Let the kids learn a bit. Keep them as jack of all trades for now and in half a year or a little longer, then begin to specialize them. I'm sure JG has more to learn (exciting yet scary at the same time).

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Freeway

His middle name is Michael.

Ask the best people have name

[Tinordi]

Exciting but the mentions of "Wayne" and "Mario" should probably stop for fear of reprisal.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Exciting but the mentions of "Wayne" and "Mario" should probably stop for fear of reprisal.

Fair enough. Fixed.

[Tinordi]

Cool, posts like that are like catnip for opposing team fans/trolls.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Exciting but the mentions of "Wayne" and "Mario" should probably stop for fear of reprisal.

I agree only in part. It is true, such statements as:

"Johnny Gaudreau could be as good as Wayne Gretzky" or "he will be the next Mario Lemieux" are best avoided.

However, I see nothing wrong with making accurate observations with regards to his skill and specific style of play that are reminiscent of these other players:

"Johnny Gaudreau's pass behind the net on the Abdelkader goal was comparable to similar plays occasionally made by Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky."

There is no problem with this sentence, and this is because there are some things that Gaudreau does that really don't compare to anything done by other players since Lemieux—or, at most very few players since then. Simply put: Gaudreau has a skill set that is so high that it comes out in flashes that prompt comparisons to things once done by Gretzky and Lemieux. I see nothing at all wrong with DoubleF's post because what Gaudreau did yesterday REALLY DID REMIND PEOPLE—and I think quite a few people at that—of things they used to see when Lemieux and Gretzky played, but which have not been seen with any consistency since then.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Soliak

To the people suggesting JG should play with Monahan / Colby this year, I honestly think that would be a mistake, at least initially.

I think his progression would be better playing with someone like Backlund. A great 2 way forward on the upswing who has the speed and skill set to score/setup goals, whilst also being an excellent mentor for JG. With someone like JG on Backs wing, we could see 30 goals out of Backlund. Monahan is going to be great, but let's not pretend he dominated defenses last year. Backs is the better option IMO.

I think you are wrong here. Backlund could very well be the forward group that is matched up against top lines and I am not sure that is the best spot for Johnny. I think putting him with a couple of bigger players is the right call.

Also Monahan was considered a great 2 way player coming out of junior and it is not unrealistic to think his play will improve next year however his minutes should still be somewhat sheltered like Johnny.

[PeteMoss]

My guess would be relatively limited ice time 5 on 5 (3rd/4th line) and then a lot of the PP. If they needed a goal he'd play more as well.

[Wastedyouth]

Any legal streams for the game today?

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

Any legal streams for the game today?

no games today

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Ask the best people have name

Maybe it's time to stop working in a pharmacy

[ComixZone]

Sweet jeepers, can we please not call Colborne "Colby"

I'm all for nicknames, but Colby is dreadful. Call him Big Joe, Joey Joe Joe Junior Shabadoo, Sky Captain of Tomorrow, The Joeman, or whatever - but Colby is an awful name/nickname.

[Gaskal]

Colby is what his teammates call him, so it stays.

[Since1984]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Sweet jeepers, can we please not call Colborne "Colby"

I'm all for nicknames, but Colby is dreadful. Call him Big Joe, Joey Joe Joe Junior Shabadoo, Sky Captain of Tomorrow, The Joeman, or whatever - but Colby is an awful name/nickname.

I agree.

I already call him Joey Joe Joe Junior for lack of a better nickname.

Sent from my SGH-T989D using Tapatalk

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by fotze

The Gretzky comparison is nothing new either, we have been saying that for a while. Why can't you compare a style of play to Gretzky. Thats who I am constantly reminded of when watching him, and we saw Gretzky burn us more than any other fanbase. I and others saw this in the development camp and still see it.

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showpos...postcount=1474

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showpos...postcount=1501
So you don't mention the comparison because some boob can't read? Fata that.

Completely agree. I am never going to suggest that he's the next Gretzky or anything - that is stupid.

However, when I watch him play (and I have watched him a lot over the last 3 years), the player he reminds me of most with respect to style, playmaking, vision, etc is Gretzky. I hate to even say his name. But that's who he reminds me of most often.

He-who-should-remain-nameless, and Datsyuk.

Doesn't mean I think JG is as good as them (or even will be)

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by nik-

Maybe it's time to stop working in a pharmacy

All the best people have that name. Perhaps it's best I stop testing my wares...

[Cheese]

FFS come in to read some stuff on Johnny and see references to Wayne and Mario?


Folks...if Johnny is a 20-20 guy next year and doesnt get slaughtered by bigger/faster/meaner players, be HAPPY...he is not the NEXT coming.
Can we NOT be like Oiler and canuck fans!
Hell he may start in the AHL!!

[Igster]

[sureLoss]

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?...medium=twitter

Gaudreau is fifth in tournament scoring with 10 points in seven games, leads all skaters with eight assists, and leads the USA in scoring.

Simply put, he has been a force to be reckoned with in Belarus.

"It's a unique year, with the World Championships being in an Olympic year. You're seeing a different base. It's a lot younger and, in a lot of instances, there's not as many of the Olympians participating. That being said, it's a great tournament," Flames general manager Brad Treliving told CalgaryFlames.com. "It's a high level of hockey and Johnny has excelled at that level.

"We know he's a skilled guy and he's an intelligent player. But to be able to produce the way he has, at that level of competition speaks volumes to where his game is at. We've been really pleased with what has taken place and for me personally, he's overshot the expectations I had."