[News] Gaudreau missed team bus in NYC

[dammage79]

Eh, it's the life of a celebrity. It wouldn't be celebrity status if there weren't rampant under breath rumors of them living it up and what not. Libel or not, if you're out and about, people will see you, they will form opinions on your actions. So while there may necessarily not be proof of shenanigans, it certainly does not mean it is not happening.

I can recall numerous testimonies of more than a few former flames social habits, even witnessed a few myself. So if things come bubbling about players in Calgary from Calgarians. There is likely a reason why it's being brought up.

It's why I hate celebrity status. These people live under a microscope. I couldn't fathom living in a fishbowl where everyone is watching you.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Eh, it's the life of a celebrity. It wouldn't be celebrity status if there weren't rampant under breath rumors of them living it up and what not. Libel or not, if you're out and about, people will see you, they will form opinions on your actions. So while there may necessarily not be proof of shenanigans, it certainly does not mean it is not happening.

I can recall numerous testimonies of more than a few former flames social habits, even witnessed a few myself. So if things come bubbling about players in Calgary from Calgarians. There is likely a reason why it's being brought up.

It's why I hate celebrity status. These people live under a microscope. I couldn't fathom living in a fishbowl where everyone is watching you.

I have a few stories I could tell myself. Most players hate the celebrity status and would prefer to be left alone.

[Rejean31]

Piss off with your bull#### fake news Spector. What a tool. He writes this article about a team he doesn't even cover and has the audacity to say this in the article...

A few years ago in Edmonton the kids were running the show, and management failed to build a proper veteran support group. Rumours flew about that group being out on the town too much, though I should say, as someone who chased those rumours, I never found enough concrete evidence to write the piece.

Yet you're falling all over yourself to write this one. You clown Spector. You probably never wrote the piece because you didn't want to find any evidence you freaking Oiler fanboy. How about you stick to covering the team that you wave the pom poms for.

[vanisleflamesfan]

Originally Posted by Anduril

I'm inclined he just derped and messed up.

And also... he is only 14 and so he uses words like "derped" in incomplete sentences. Cut him some slack... yo.

[curves2000]

I am of the opinion that this isn't necessarily a BIG story but it definitely a unique one in a lot of ways for a variety of reasons.

For almost all practices and road games there are 2 team bus's that leave the hotel to go to a rink that's generally fairly close by. In some markets where the weather might be really nice players sometimes even opt to walk to practice or to the game, no need to wait around for a bus to a game when a 5 minute walk in sunny Florida during a February road trip is quite nice.

What makes THIS scenario a little bit different is the fact that the team all got changed into their practice gear in a conference room at the team hotel and that everybody took the team bus to the rink. Keep in mind how rare it is to be practicing outdoors and all the unusual logistics involved for both the team and equipment managers/ NYC traffic etc.

Johnny reportedly taking a taxi to practice although not a bad thing, probably wouldn't have been recommended by ANYBODY on the Flames side due to the potential for things to go wrong. When it comes to being a PRO on and off the ice there are certain scenarios you need to examine and put yourself into the best position to succeed.

As for the recent bye week, you may have heard a little bit of chatter of how the team players arrived in Calgary on Saturday so that everybody could be ready to go for a 4:01 pm practice on Sunday. Although the CBA mandated break didn't allow teams to start practicing until 4 p, nobody would have advised flying in from Mexico or wherever at 1 pm for a 4 pm practice. Cam Talbot in Edmonton ended up getting stuck in San Diego and wasn't able to fly in until game day which caused a little stir. It just isn't advisable BECAUSE of the potential for things going wrong.

As for Johnny's fitness, I can't ever recall hearing anything negative in the news outlets and the eye test doesn't show anything in terms of fatigue during shifts, goal production aside. In player interviews and videos from multiple outlets the players are always bugging Johnny about his diet which could be a concern later on, sooner or later it's the care of your body that distinguishes a lot of players as they get older.

One of the biggest issues with young players in general is they don't need to EARN the big time contract in sports today. Players are signing huge contracts with massive signing bonus's with super large guaranteed dollar values, sometimes before they have even played a single game in the pro's (NFL, NBA etc)

Wayne Gretzky I believe was earning a million dollars a year during the 80's run which in today's dollars might be $2.5??? His production and winning success is of course legendary but today's players are signing 50, 60, 70 million dollar deals and sometimes without having ever won anything. At least with guy's like Towes, Kane, Kopitar etc the argument can be made that they contributed heavily to multiple championships which inflated franchise values, brought back the fans to historic franchise's etc etc

Sorry about the long post, just my $.02

[Manhattanboy]

When the off ice problems started people denied Fleury had issues. Denial is always the default position.

[vanisleflamesfan]

Players who are "good" in a season get checked harder the following season. If they respond to that increased level of scrutiny, and produce at an even higher rate, they get elevated to the level of "great". If, instead, they respond by falling back, they get relegated to the level of "flash-in-the-pan". Guess which ones are paid ground-breaking money and guess which ones are paid like 'end-of-their-career' has-beens. Johnny is 'good' but he is not 'great'. The Flames are currently hoping like crazy that Monahan picks it up, that Sammy is not the player we have seen all year, and that Tkachuk is as good as his dad; because betting the farm on Johnny isn't going to pay off.

The 'Powers That Be' of this team (ownership) signed off on the belief that this team was actually good. Now they are finding out that the best they can hope for is to scrape into the playoffs... Just like every other year. The players that they banked on are not as good as the players that other 'rebuilding' teams (Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa) banked on. As a result, all they can hope for is to blow it up again and hope for better draft picks. This team, as it is currently constructed can only hope to squeak into the playoffs based on the injuries of other (better) teams. Such is being a fan of the Flames. But hey, keep filling the 'Dome.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by vanisleflamesfan

Players who are "good" in a season get checked harder the following season. If they respond to that increased level of scrutiny, and produce at an even higher rate, they get elevated to the level of "great". If, instead, they respond by falling back, they get relegated to the level of "flash-in-the-pan". Guess which ones are paid ground-breaking money and guess which ones are paid like 'end-of-their-career' has-beens. Johnny is 'good' but he is not 'great'. The Flames are currently hoping like crazy that Monahan picks it up, that Sammy is not the player we have seen all year, and that Tkachuk is as good as his dad; because betting the farm of Johnny isn't going to pay off.

What a brutal take / attitude, and it seems to be one gaining steam with a very vocal minority here.

Gaudreau has shown what he can do over two seasons. And he, like the rest of the team, is finding it challenging to put up points this season.

He's still a very young player. Making a concrete conclusion like he's "'good' but he is not 'great" is beyond ignorant at this point.

Just an insufferable take.

[vanisleflamesfan]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

What a brutal take / attitude, and it seems to be one gaining steam with a very vocal minority here.

Gaudreau has shown what he can do over two seasons. And he, like the rest of the team, is finding it challenging to put up points this season.

He's still a very young player. Making a concrete conclusion like he's "'good' but he is not 'great" is beyond ignorant at this point.

Just an insufferable take.

Yeah... You're right... it's all sunshine and roses. Johnny is leading the league in scoring and the Flames are a shoe-in for the playoffs...

Oh wait... I'm closer to the truth with my "insufferable take".

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by vanisleflamesfan

Yeah... You're right... it's all sunshine and roses. Johnny is leading the league in scoring and the Flames are a shoe-in for the playoffs...

Oh wait... I'm closer to the truth with my "insufferable take".

Yea, concretely concluding the career potential of a 23 year old is certainly "closer to the truth" for sure.

Keep up the great work. That was a much less insufferable post for sure.

[vanisleflamesfan]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

What a brutal take / attitude, and it seems to be one gaining steam with a very vocal minority here.

Gaudreau has shown what he can do over two seasons. And he, like the rest of the team, is finding it challenging to put up points this season.

He's still a very young player. Making a concrete conclusion like he's "'good' but he is not 'great" is beyond ignorant at this point.

Just an insufferable take.

'Great' players don't find it 'challenging' to put up points. 'Great' players just put up frippin' points. I'm sorry but Johnny is good... but he is NOT 'great'. The quicker you get over that and stop insulting those who point it out, the less painful it will be.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by vanisleflamesfan

'Great' players don't find it 'challenging' to put up points. 'Great' players just put up frippin' points. I'm sorry but Johnny is good... but he is NOT 'great'. The quicker you get over that and stop insulting those who point it out, the less painful it will be.

He's put up 178 points in his first 206 games.

You just keep sounding more and more ignorant. Step away from the keyboard.

He's still a young player, and just because you're upset the Flames aren't in a better playoff position doesn't anoint you as someone who's able to foretell the career potential of young players.

You and a few others need to find a better outlet for your frustrations than making hollow ignorant statements because you're frustrated.

[vanisleflamesfan]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

He's put up 178 points in his first 206 games.

You just keep sounding more and more ignorant. Step away from the keyboard.

He's still a young player, and just because you're upset the Flames aren't in a better playoff position doesn't anoint you as someone who's able to foretell the career potential of young players.

You and a few others need to find a better outlet for your frustrations than making hollow ignorant statements because you're frustrated.

He's not even in the top 100 scorers in the NHL this season... step away from the keyboard.

How many of those 100 players are younger than him? Step away from the keyboard...

[vanisleflamesfan]

There are at least 100 players who have outscored him this season. There are at least, on average, two (2) players on EVERY SINGLE TEAM who have outplayed him this year. Face it... he is good... but not great.

He would be, at best, the third best player on EVERY SINGLE TEAM in the league.... step away from the keyboard.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by vanisleflamesfan

He's not even in the top 100 scorers in the NHL this season... step away from the keyboard.

How many of those 100 players are younger than him? Step away from the keyboard...

I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were 11. Great job continuing sounding insufferable though.

Besides, I'm sure everyone here was already aware that anyone not in the top 100 scorers of this season at this moment in time will clearly never be great.

[Geeoff]

Patrick Kane has a ton of off-ice issues. If Johnny plays well enough, they don't matter. His biggest problem is that he's not playing well.

[vanisleflamesfan]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were 11. Great job continuing sounding insufferable though.

Besides, I'm sure everyone here was already aware that anyone not in the top 100 scorers of this season at this moment in time will clearly never be great.

Actually... I'm 10. And also... your mother.

[White Out 403]

and so the witch hunt begins. jesus.

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by vanisleflamesfan

There are at least 100 players who have outscored him this season. There are at least, on average, two (2) players on EVERY SINGLE TEAM who have outplayed him this year. Face it... he is good... but not great.

He would be, at best, the third best player on EVERY SINGLE TEAM in the league.... step away from the keyboard.

Ok... and he was 6th... in the entire NHL last year -- that would put him first (1) on T-W-E-N-T-Y-F-O-U-R teams last year... 24 frippin teams!?!!?!

What an absolute train wreck the quoted post is.

Players go on slumps - even star players. I have no doubt Johnny will be on track and back to flirting with a PPG average or even more than in no time. People need to seriously chill out when it comes to Johnny and his production there's no denying how much he cares and it's gonna come.

[vanisleflamesfan]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

Ok... and he was 6th... in the entire NHL last year -- that would put him first (1) on T-W-E-N-T-Y-F-O-U-R teams last year... 24 frippin teams!?!!?!

What an absolute train wreck the quoted post is.

Players go on slumps - even star players. I have no doubt Johnny will be on track and back to flirting with a PPG average or even more than in no time. People need to seriously chill out when it comes to Johnny and his production there's no denying how much he cares and it's gonna come.

Okay... please... let me know when Johnny is 6th in the league in scoring again. I will be waiting... and growing old, and eventually dying. But hey... you know what also happened IN THE PAST?