John Frickin Gaudreau!

[Ashasx]

I think the Flames will give it a good look this off-season, but send him back for one more year and he'll make his debut in 2014.

[Johnny Rotten]

Originally Posted by kehatch

The guy still had a long ways to go to make the NHL. If I am him I stay in school to get bigger and have a plan B. But I am not him. It will really be up to him.

I also think with the brutal schedule and travelling the Heat have in Abbotsford another year of growing and maturing wouldn't hurt him. Little time to practice in Abbotsford is a problem that was mentioned about a dozen times it seemed during last Saturday's game on Sportsnet.

(If Abbotsford is where he'd be next year if he turns pro, and I get the impression from what Weisbrod said a couple weeks ago that could be the place for him; check what Weisbrod says at about 14:20 below).

http://www.sportsnet.ca/960/2013/01/..._the_big_show/


Three assists for Johnny tonight so far, btw.

He ends up with 4 assists, and I totally forgot that the game was online tonight!

[edslunch]

21 points in last 10 games

[devo22]

if he wants to play a year in Abby, then he turns pro in the summer. If he wants to go directly to the NHL, he stays another year in BC ... that's what I think. If he wins the Hobey Baker this year, I don't think he has anything left to prove in the NCAA, so he might feel ready to take the pro jump. In that case, book the Heat winning the Calder Cup because winning is just what Johnny does

[GreenLantern]

I would be shocked if he doesn't play out all four years in college.

He needs time to put on size and mature. He will never be a big player, but the longer he stays there the more he will fill out.

No reason to rush this guy, he will be here eventually to help the team out.

[kmart]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

I would be shocked if he doesn't play out all four years in college.

He needs time to put on size and mature. He will never be a big player, but the longer he stays there the more he will fill out.

No reason to rush this guy, he will be here eventually to help the team out.

There is only so much you can prove at the college level. He was one of the best players at the world juniors, USHL, and college.

If you're the best player at your level (which he easily is) I think its a must to move on to playing against better talent in order to make yourself a better player.

[Husky]

Would be nice if the Flames had a big body sniper to go along with Gaudreau.

[Freeway]

Had the chance last week to have a pretty long conversation with Johnny Hockey.

http://thehockeywriters.com/one-on-o...hnny-gaudreau/

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by Husky

Would be nice if the Flames had a big body sniper to go along with Gaudreau.

Jankowski?

[Freeway]

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

Jankowski?

I think the Flames will look at the Miller/Vesey/Gaudreau line as an example of how to create optimal conditions for Gaudreau to thrive 5-on-5.

You ideally need two bigger guys to create time and space.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Had the chance last week to have a pretty long conversation with Johnny Hockey.

http://thehockeywriters.com/one-on-o...hnny-gaudreau/

Excellent interview. Nice work.

Loved this part:

YOU’VE EMERGED AS A HOBEY BAKER CONTENDER. FLAMES FANS HAVE UNITED WITH BOSTON COLLEGE FANS ONLINE TO PUSH THE FAN BALLOTING. YOU’RE NECK-AND-NECK WITH NORTH DAKOTA’S CORBAN KNIGHT AS THE TWO TOP VOTE-GETTERS. IS IT FLATTERING TO SEE FLAMES FANS BEHIND YOU ALREADY?

It’s awesome to see. I’m not even playing for the Flames yet. I’m just a drafted prospect and it’s awesome to see how into it they are. Especially college hockey. Canada’s more of an OHL or WHL kind of thing, but to see how involved they are with college hockey in the United States, it’s awesome to think. I want to thank them alot, I appreciate all the help I’m getting from them. It really excites me that I’m drafted to Calgary from all the fans and how close they are to hockey and how involved they are.

[Seguin's Laundry]

Gaudreau just seems like a class act and a great kid from every interview I've read or watched on TV. As if we needed another reason to cheer for him.

[HighLifeMan]

Originally Posted by Freeway

I think the Flames will look at the Miller/Vesey/Gaudreau line as an example of how to create optimal conditions for Gaudreau to thrive 5-on-5.

You ideally need two bigger guys to create time and space.

I don't necessarily agree with that. Gaudreau plays on a line with 5'11" Pat Mullane, and 5'7" Steven Whitney at BC. He is the type of player that is smart enough and elusive enough to find open space for himself and his teammates.

With that said, it never hurts to have a bigger body on the wing to help accommodate for the lack of size that Gaudreau brings.

[Ashasx]

Ideally, you'd have the 6'4" centre like St. Louis has (had) in Tampa.

I hope Jankowski can be that guy.

[868904]

Originally Posted by HighLifeMan

I don't necessarily agree with that. Gaudreau plays on a line with 5'11" Pat Mullane, and 5'7" Steven Whitney at BC. He is the type of player that is smart enough and elusive enough to find open space for himself and his teammates.

With that said, it never hurts to have a bigger body on the wing to help accommodate for the lack of size that Gaudreau brings.

Yeah, just don't put a stupid puck hog on a line with him and he should be fine.

[Tyler]

On the FAN 960 they just said that Gaudreau could play in the NHL this year if he wanted to.

Is this true???

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Tyler

On the FAN 960 they just said that Gaudreau could play in the NHL this year if he wanted to.

Is this true???

well they'd have to sign him to an ELC, meaning his college career would come to an end immediately. So yeah, it's possible, but I think it's unlikely.

[killer_carlson]

When do we think he will be signed to his ELC?

[nik-]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

When do we think he will be signed to his ELC?

I'd assume after next year is when he seriously considers it, assuming he blows up the NCAA again.

[Roof-Daddy]

I highly doubt the Flames would sign Gaudreau this season, even if Johnny wanted to.

They'd burn a year of his ELC for barely a partial season if they did.

Hopefully he wins the Hobey, and another Beanpot, and another National Championship, and then turns pro in the fall and signs then.