Video: Johnny Gaudreau - 2014 World Championships Highlights

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by bluck

Johnny Hockey also scored his first NHL goal in his first NHL game. Gotta love that.

It wasn't even a shot, his stick was just there and the puck just grazed off it. It was brilliant though - right place, right time, so calm he didn't whack at it, didn't even move his stick.

[polak]

How are we not supposed to get hyped on this kid?

Can we somehow squeeze "the franchise" into his nick names?

Johnny "Hockey" "The Franchise" Gaudreau?

Seriously. He is elite. He makes plays that make full time NHL'ers jaws drop and they play with the best players in the world on a daily basis. He is that good.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Agree with the fact Gaudreau seems to have had great success with any teammate but Grimaldi in his professional career. Grimaldi thought he was the second coming of Gretzky and did nothing but dangle and lose the puck. Not sure he even once passed to Gaudreau who was wide open as usual.

J.T Miller definitely shot more then he should of, but he also created room for Gaudreau and assisted on several goals.

[jg13]

I can't wait to watch this guy play a few pre season games.

It's going to be nearly impossible to send him down if he's at a PPG which I can't see not happening.

[TheDebaser]

I really can't wait to see our squad in Penticton. Johnny is going to crush lots of nhl dreams.

[Stay Golden]

Johnny hockey has the majority of Flames fans pulling for him to make the Flames fulll time and beating the physical odds. Personally I think he could be a great role model for kids. I'm really hoping he can impress the hell out of the coaches, Burke and Treliving to the point they can't deny him being on the Flames.
I think it all comes down to 2 things can Johnny overcome his undersized physical stature like he has since he was 10 and if so will management and coaches agree we are better with his kids high skill level.
It may be a fools gamble but I think if given the chance Gaudreau makes the team and doesn't look back.

[stemit14]

I would say he would be a great bet for winning the Calder if he makes the team out of camp but the Flames' coaching staff seem to follow the protected minutes philosophy with young players. Which is a good thing for the most part. But because of that, someone like Drouin in Tampa is more likely to win the Calder cause he'll probably be inserted into the top six... Maybe even with stamkos.

[Vulcan]

To me it looks like the competition he'll have for the one or two spots open at forward are Granlund, Byron, Bennett, Baertschi, Reinhart and Wolf. That's a 7 player competition, so anything can happen although I'd give Gaudreau an inside track. Byron should make the team but it's a question whether he'll be a starter or not. I'd say Granlund, Bennett and Gaudreau need to take a starting spot to make the team. Baertschi, Reinhart or Wolf could be kept as extras as they are a bit older and experienced. If they decide to go with a more physical team and Wolf makes it on the 4th line that could bump Bollig up to the third line.

Colborne is putting on muscle for next season and it's probably to be more physical, so I could see him on a line with Monahan and Gaudreau if they decide to go with Johnny.

Those 7 players aren't the only ones with a shot either. Knight, Agostino, Hanowski, Klimchuk, Arnold and Poirier all may have a chance as well. It could depend on how management want to approach building the team. One more small player may be one too many.

[djsFlames]

Byron will be the 13th forward to start the season. Bet on it.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by stemit14

I would say he would be a great bet for winning the Calder if he makes the team out of camp but the Flames' coaching staff seem to follow the protected minutes philosophy with young players. Which is a good thing for the most part. But because of that, someone like Drouin in Tampa is more likely to win the Calder cause he'll probably be inserted into the top six... Maybe even with stamkos.

It may help Gaudreau's cause that he helped out at Hartley's hockey camp. Not in the sense that Hartley owes him anything, just that he will have really gotten to know him and (presumably) seen his character and willingness to learn first hand. Not that it's Hartley's call either though

Edit: not sure why I quoted this particular post

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by edslunch

It may help Gaudreau's cause that he helped out at Hartley's hockey camp. Not in the sense that Hartley owes him anything, just that he will have really gotten to know him and (presumably) seen his character and willingness to learn first hand. Not that it's Hartley's call either though.

It's the second year in a row that Gaudreau has done this.

[stemit14]

I think the added pressure to gaudreau is that he needs to light it up in the preseason to make the team. 6 points in 8 preseason games will not cut it I believe... He needs ppg or better and needs to not be a liability defensively. He probably also has to make sure he isn't manhandled by anyone too bad... Not that I've ever seen that happen to him... He's very strong on his skates it seems. I totally believe he can accomplish all of those in camp and make the team.

For guys like wolf, granlund, Reinhart, and maybe even baertschi... I believe they will have a little more forgiveness in their selection because they have put time in the AHL/DEL. They will still have to work hard to have a chance at earning a spot.

[djsFlames]

He'll score a point a game at least. I don't see him doing any less, as it's the preseason and they'll give him ice time and different situations to see what he can do, and he'll run with it. Not too worried about Johnny Point-Per-Game Hockey's performance. I think he's faced a fair amount of pressure over the past year and it doesn't affect him much. Look what he did in the frozen four semi finals game. Was the most hyped kid going into the game and almost carried the team to back tie it up in the final seconds. Baertschi and Granlund will have to work very hard to get ahead of Johnny on the shortlist for the team, as they will be pushing for a similar role (top 6).

[codynw]

If Johnny isn't 2 points per game in pre-season I'll consider him a bust.