Where does Johnny Gaudreau rank among the most talented Flames players ever?

[blankall]

Johnny was the best at what he did, possibly ever. When he was on, his edge work and ability to skate in tight spaces was unmatched.

He was far from the best Flames player ever though. Personally, I found him to be one of the most entertaining though.

[EVERLAST]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

People under 50 can't grasp it but for pure talent Kent Nilsson was probably top 5 in NHL history. I would put Johnny #2 for the Flames though.

My top 5

1-Nilsson
2-Gaudreau
3-Loob
4-Fleury
5-Mullen

This. And the Mullen , Fleury, Loob teams were tough as nails. Seriously.

Mullen had the ability to get crushed ALLOT and that Lil MFugger would be back up on his feet with the puck again somehow and be going thr other way. Always in position and getting the puck back. So so so underrated .

Loob was incredible. A money player with Neiwendyk. He made Joe and Gary look incredible. Those 2 were as CBL would say absolute beasts . Loob was a mini beast.
I'll never ever forget him hoisting the cup!!! Pretending it was too heavy.

Fleury..wow....GAF meter pegged. A competitive little s who had moves and was dynamic and dynamite .

We've had some beauty's for sure but that list by Snuff ....bang on.

Honorable mentions ....Gary Suter and Chopper....what a pairing. To bombs from the point who QBd a PP and were dangerous always....could be mean too.

Man those were the days ....

Those days are coming back thanks to Craig

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I think he would have set records if he had his head on straight. Kid had speed, moves, a great shot and grit. His point totals in the dead puck era were awesome and he was a fit in the Olympics.

Bur I don't think you have the skill and ferocity he had if his head was on straight. He was crazy due to circumstances beyond his control and he channeled that into the player he was.

Take away the trauma and I don't know if a player his size would have played the rough way he did in that era where small guys got clobbered and were typically out of thw league pretty quick.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Top 5 frustrating skilled players:
1. Nilsson
2. Makarov
3. Nylander
4. Housley
5. Bob Reichel
HM: Andrew Cassels, Alex Tanguay, Kari Eloranta, Marc Savard

[Paulie Walnuts]

I would have Iggy and Juice over him.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Also might be fun to do a list of the top players who had little skill but squeezed as much out of it as humanly possible.

Such as:
Ron Stern
Clunk Wilm
Chris Clark
Stephen Yelle
Colin Patterson
Chris Tanev
Kris Russell

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Top 5 frustrating skilled players:
1. Nilsson
2. Makarov
3. Nylander
4. Housley
5. Bob Reichel
HM: Andrew Cassels, Alex Tanguay, Kari Eloranta, Marc Savard

I've never heard anyone say "Bob" Reichel before.

I'd add Bourque, Phaneuf, maybe Jokinen and Setoguchi.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Also might be fun to do a list of the top players who had little skill but squeezed as much out of it as humanly possible.

Such as:
Ron Stern
Clunk Wilm
Chris Clark
Stephen Yelle
Colin Patterson
Chris Tanev
Kris Russell

Add Frank Musil.

[FlamesAddiction]

The thing I remember most about the Housley days is that as mediocre as those teams were when he was on the roster, the powerplay was at least fun to watch.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I've never heard anyone say "Bob" Reichel before.

When he was in Toronto, some Leaf fans called him Bob when complaining about his disappearing act. I think it was an attempt at condescension.

[Hockey-and_stuff]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Cooney Weiland was a good one.

I'm not going to look it up and just assume Cooney Weiland played in the 20s, because that is the most 1920s name I've ever heard.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Hockey-and_stuff

I'm not going to look it up and just assume Cooney Weiland played in the 20s, because that is the most 1920s name I've ever heard.

You are absolutely correct. Would you like a cigar or a coconut?

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

When he was in Toronto, some Leaf fans called him Bob when complaining about his disappearing act. I think it was an attempt at condescension.

For me Bob Cole just randomly called him Bob for one game and I thought it was hilarious

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Top 5 frustrating skilled players:
1. Nilsson
2. Makarov
3. Nylander
4. Housley
5. Bob Reichel
HM: Andrew Cassels, Alex Tanguay, Kari Eloranta, Marc Savard

Could put Rene Bourque in the HM. He could be a force when he wanted to. Maybe not the most 'skilled' but I think he left a lot in the tank and could have been a staple top line forward in the league.

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Top 5 frustrating skilled players:
1. Nilsson
2. Makarov
3. Nylander
4. Housley
5. Bob Reichel
HM: Andrew Cassels, Alex Tanguay, Kari Eloranta, Marc Savard

Zarley Zalapski is #1 for me.

Guy literally had it all except for hockey sense.