Will Gaudreau win the Calder?

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

As good as Gaudreau is, what makes him extra special is his "big game" accountability. He is making it count when it counts the most.

I hear what you're saying but we haven't had any "big games" yet. He is playing well and imposing his will during key times of the games so far, as you point out. But I don't think you can really come to the conclusion that he plays his best during big games since we haven't had any.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by herashak

Just like baertschi and monahan did?

Regardless of your troll comment, Monahan actually was in the conversation league-wide a few times but a) he was hurt for a while which hurt his chances and b) there was no way anyone was winning it except that guy who plays for the Avs. He was head and shoulders the best rookie. I think the votes were 130-5 or something for Mackinnon vs everyone else.

Anyways I'm assuming you're implying that it's way too early to come to any conclusions. I think around Christmas we should have a good idea of how ultimately JG will pan out this year, my personal opinion is that he will only get better as he adjusts to the speed and timing of the NHL based on what I've seen to date.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I think Johnny is done adjusting to the NHL.

I think the rest of the Flames need to adjust to Johnny now. They aren't used to seeing passes connect that accurately and that fast.

You are going to start seeing all the players just start shooting even if they don't have the puck the moment Gaudreau has the puck. 4 guys with constant shooting motions all over the ice, all the time, and it is up to Johnny to decide who he wants to score.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by heep223

I didn't notice this, is this really true? If so, wow. He's certainly being taken seriously by other teams and that more than anything speaks to how he's playing.

Against Nashville we had last change, so it was more a function of Weber being on the ice and Hartley saying 'go get him, kid'.

Last night on the road, we didn't have last change. And Therrien was definitely trying to have Subban out against Gaudreau. 12 games in, opposing coaches are already sending Norris winners to deal with him.

Said it another thread, but this kid truly is the Mongol horde unto himself. The league has no idea what is to come.

[calumniate]

What I can't wait for is when Johnny sucks in 4-5 Oiler defenders down low and makes them pay, producing the best 'no good' still image of all time!

[HelloHockeyFans]

If Bennett can make the big club next year, while it would be tempting to put him and Johnny together, I'd love to see them spread that kind of high-end talent across two lines and put Gaudreau with Monahan on one and have Bennett with Colborne or something on the second.

If an opposing team matches their top defenders against JG, their second pairing gets eaten up when Bennett's line comes out or vice versa. Great times.

[FlameZilla]

NHL 15 nerd question: What sort of CP Jihad would it take to get EA to add Johnny Gaudreau to Hockey Ultimate Team? I'm perplexed as to why he isn't anywhere to be found on there.

[Gaudfather]

One of the things that really impresses about Johnny H is he is presently leading the NHL in takeaways - he just never gives up on a puck.

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nhl/st...atistics/2014/

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Gaudfather

One of the things that really impresses about Johnny H is he is presently leading the NHL in takeaways - he just never gives up on a puck.

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nhl/st...atistics/2014/

I'm afraid I'm always unclear about this stat. Last game only Brodie had a takeaway (and a giveaway) and Gio had two giveaways. Surely there were more than that. I recall a bunch of times Flames knocked a Hab d-man off the puck and took it. That's not a takeaway I guess. Is it only a pocket picking?

Should add that Oil fans are always pointing to Hall's takeaways as evidence of his fine defensive play. I'm more impressed by good position in the d zone.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I'm afraid I'm always unclear about this stat. Last game only Brodie had a takeaway (and a giveaway) and Gio had two giveaways. Surely there were more than that. I recall a bunch of times Flames knocked a Hab d-man off the puck and took it. That's not a takeaway I guess. Is it only a pocket picking?

As I understand it, takeaways and giveaways, like hits, are counted by an employee of the home team. Therefore, there is considerable variation in how they are counted from one arena to another.

The rule in Montreal appears to be that nobody takes the puck away from Les Glorieux; they occasionally do not choose to maintain possession.

Sort of like how a Rolls-Royce never breaks down, it just fails to proceed.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I'm afraid I'm always unclear about this stat. Last game only Brodie had a takeaway (and a giveaway) and Gio had two giveaways. Surely there were more than that. I recall a bunch of times Flames knocked a Hab d-man off the puck and took it. That's not a takeaway I guess. Is it only a pocket picking?

Should add that Oil fans are always pointing to Hall's takeaways as evidence of his fine defensive play. I'm more impressed by good position in the d zone.

Shocking Gaudreau didn't add to his lead, I remember one absolute theft against Desharnais and another pick-pocket from Gallagher.

Montreal will be Montreal I guess...remember Iggy's snub?

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

If Bennett can make the big club next year, while it would be tempting to put him and Johnny together, I'd love to see them spread that kind of high-end talent across two lines and put Gaudreau with Monahan on one and have Bennett with Colborne or something on the second.

If an opposing team matches their top defenders against JG, their second pairing gets eaten up when Bennett's line comes out or vice versa. Great times.

Johnny is already messing the top defenders up. As someone pointed out, the Norris-type defenceman are on Johnny now. Weber during Nashville's visit and Subban in Montreal last night. Johnny makes great plays anyway in both games - even though teams are zeroing in on Calgary's deadliest offensive weapon right now.

Putting Bennett as Gaudreau's pivot is essentially a massive force multiplier and would rightly make sense as they are both first line players. Bennett also plays like Gaudreau - the smarts, the puck skills, defensive responsibility and the distinct ability to make plays at top speed and in close quarters.

I am predicting we'll see a line of Gaudreau - Bennett - Poirier tried out sometime in future, potentially even next season and sticks as they'll be able to:

-Drive possession
-Zone entry
-Get back in time to help out D

But mostly:

-Odd man rushes at insane speed

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Johnny is already messing the top defenders up. As someone pointed out, the Norris-type defenceman are on Johnny now. Weber during Nashville's visit and Subban in Montreal last night. Johnny makes great plays anyway in both games - even though teams are zeroing in on Calgary's deadliest offensive weapon right now.

Putting Bennett as Gaudreau's pivot is essentially a massive force multiplier and would rightly make sense as they are both first line players. Bennett also plays like Gaudreau - the smarts, the puck skills, defensive responsibility and the distinct ability to make plays at top speed and in close quarters.

I am predicting we'll see a line of Gaudreau - Bennett - Poirier tried out sometime in future, potentially even next season and sticks as they'll be able to:

-Drive possession
-Zone entry
-Get back in time to help out D

But mostly:

-Odd man rushes at insane speed

I'd prefer a big cornerman to dig the puck out and maybe be a net presence. Colborne maybe. Though Emile does have OK size and I hear he plays with some sand, and is really good defensively.

[schteve_d]

Conn Smythe or Bust!

[FlamesFanStrandedInEDM]

I dont know how you could go against Tanner Pearson at this point.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by FlamesFanStrandedInEDM

I dont know how you could go against Tanner Pearson at this point.

He seems to be slowing down a bit. Only a two goals in his last six, and no points in his last four.

[Madrox]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

He seems to be slowing down a bit. Only a two goals in his last six, and no points in his last four.

The guy's shooting percentage is over 30%. You have to figure that's going to come down.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Madrox

The guy's shooting percentage is over 30%. You have to figure that's going to come down.

The line was unsustainably hot

[doctajones428]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

NHL 15 nerd question: What sort of CP Jihad would it take to get EA to add Johnny Gaudreau to Hockey Ultimate Team? I'm perplexed as to why he isn't anywhere to be found on there.

I read that if a player doesn't have an in game portrait, they don't get added to HUT.

Unfortunate, but he would of only been a low-mid 70 overall player, which is fine because 94 overall Gaudreau's will be tearing up HUT next year

[sureLoss]

bodog is giving 7/2 odds that Gaudreau will win the Calder

Frosberg and Pearson have 11/4