[News] Gaudreau one of 3 Hobey Baker Finalists. UPD: LeBlanc wins

[timbit]

With 76 goals...Selanne had no competition.

[Table 5]

Nm old hat.

[dying4acup]

Fwiw if Jonny plays the rest of the year in the NHL or AHL on a PTO, it would not blow a year of his entry level contract. It would just stop him from going back to college. If he wants to go pro, have him practice with the big club. If he's ready, throw him into game action, like they did Sven last year. See how he handles it.

[GettinIggyWithIt]

Originally Posted by #-3

That's 923 points in the late 80's early 90's. Today that translates into like 700.

To be fair, in his prime (80's), Broten was averaging about a point per game. The Stars team he was on had a few other pretty good players (Bellows, Ciccarelli, Gagner) that he outscored during many of those seasons. I think if Gaudreau is as productive as Broten was for his team, we should be very happy.

But yeah I agree, goals and points were a lot easier to come by in those days.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by #-3

That's 923 points in the late 80's early 90's. Today that translates into like 700.

Which would still make him as having an outstanding career, and being a great pick in that spot.

[GettinIggyWithIt]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

You are right - the old memory is getting foggy.

Broten fought with Hawerchuk in 81-82

I cannot remember who fought with Selanne - but I'll figure it out

Edit: Joe Juneau was runner up to Selanne

funny how memory works

No problem...I had to double check my memory when I saw your post. I thought maybe I had my wires crossed about when they played

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by timbit

With 76 goals...Selanne had no competition.

Yeah, but that's just looking back at the stats.

I read a great article that year - mid-season - a writer described how he had just written an article suggesting Juneau deserved the Calder (they were only a few points apart and Juneau was great defensively, etc). Just as he was going to run it in the weekend paper, Selanne went on a streak where he had back-to-back hat-tricks and scored 10 goals in 10 periods, breaking Bossy's rookie record in the process. Needless to say, he never ran with the article.

However, for 2/3s of the season, there was a conversation, and Juneau was in it.

This is coming from a Jet STH who was obviously rooting for Selanne. And I have said many times, that season was one of the most amazing I have experienced, until 2004.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

I'd like to see Gadureau at World Hockey Championship, see how he does against men. That should really tell us how far he is.

Assuming he keeps his amateur status, what are the odds of him even being invited to the World Championships?

Former Hobey finalist 5'9'' Ryan Lasch was invited last year so there's definite a chance but he was also in his mid 20's. While last year players like Ryan, Pacioretty and Okposo are in the playoffs currently.

Probably depends on how the playoffs shape up as a lot of fringe teams have American connections:
Stepan, Callahan, Boyle and Miller from the Rangers
Okposo, McDonald Aucoin, and Reasoner from the Islanders
Wheeler and Tangradi from the Jets
Backes, Oshie and Langenbrunner (injured) from the Blues
Dubinsky. Umberger, Atkinson, M. Foligno and Boll from the Jackets

Not that Gaudreau would be in direct competition with a lot of those players anyways.

Some of the other American NHL forwards in no particular order:
Stempniak
Legwand
Stastny
Wilson
Mueller
Gaustad
Thompson
N. Foligno
Moss
Dwyer
Stafford
Skille
Shore
Cole
Crombeen

Far from incredible depth, bad enough that I think they would have to look at Gaudreau, but still decent enough that he ultimately gets left off.

[flames_fan_down_under]

I am sure this has been posted already by another poster but I thought I would whip together a list of notable Hobey Baker finalists over the past few years, so even if Johnny doesn't win this is to just to give us an idea of past finalists who didn't win:

2012: Justin Schultz
2011: Justin Schultz again
2010: Blake Geoffrion, Ben Scrivens
2009: Jamie McBain, Viktor Stalberg
2008: Ryan Jones, T.J. Oshie
2007: no one notable
2006: Matt Carle, Brian Elliot
2005: Patrick Eaves
2004: Keith Ballard, Zach Parise
2003: Chris Kunitz, Zach Parise, Chris Higgins, Tom Preissing, J.M. Liles, R.J. Umberger

Brian Gionta, Dany Heatly, Jason Blake, Shawn Horcoff, Ryan Miller, Marty St. Louis, Brendan Morrison, Jay Pandolfo are all other guys who were Hobey Baker finalists.

Some pretty good names. Once again 2003 stands out.

[saskflames69]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Which would still make him as having an outstanding career, and being a great pick in that spot.

Let us all agree that Johnny Hockey is a stud, and will probably win the Hobey Baker every year for the remainder of his collegiate days, and the Hart Trophy in each of the 20 magnificent seasons that will compose his Hall of Fame career.

Are my expectations not high enough?

[sureLoss]

Gaudreau unsure if he will play pro next year:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/...787/story.html

“I know I really enjoy it here at BC,” said Gaudreau, a fourth-round pick, 104th overall, from the 2011 NHL draft. “I know Calgary is a really awesome place to be, a really fun hockey city. So both of my options are win-win. But I really want to get education, so that’s something I’m really taking into consideration. But I’d really like to get a chance to play for the Flames.

“So I’m not really sure right now. I’m just kind of playing it by ear.”

Another factor is Gaudreau’s little brother (who, yes, is actually smaller). Matthew Gaudreau, currently skating for the USHL’s Omaha Lancers, is committed to BC next season.

“I’d really like a chance to play with him,” said Gaudreau, listed at five foot eight and 153 pounds, “so I’m not really sure what to do.”

But he did add that the Flames aren’t being pushy.

“I’m thankful that they’re being so kind about it.”

[Da_Chief]

No need to rush into a decision and no need for the Flames to push him. As much as I'd like to see him sign I think another year playing with his brother will fully satisfy him and he'll be ready to turn pro. No regrets all the way.

I dont have a twitter account (dont wana make one), would someone ask Johnny about his actual height and weight right now on behalf of Flames fans. https://twitter.com/johngaudreau03

[gargamel]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Gaudreau unsure if he will play pro next year:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/...787/story.html

That pretty much confirms what I've been saying about him only considering going pro if he'll be playing for the Flames. If you notice, he's not talking about how Abbotsford and Utica are awesome places to be and really fun hockey cities.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Gaudreau unsure if he will play pro next year:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/...787/story.html

I wonder how Gaudreau's mind might be made up if they flash some benjamins. Staring at a large sigining bonus can help a lot.

The Flames should also just promise to draft his brother with a late pick. Maybe he'd take a discount.

Not that there is a rush or anything, but I am always a little nervous about university prospects, especially ones that drastically increase their value from where they were drafted.

[#-3]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I wonder how Gaudreau's mind might be made up if they flash some benjamins. Staring at a large sigining bonus can help a lot.

The Flames should also just promise to draft his brother with a late pick. Maybe he'd take a discount.

Not that there is a rush or anything, but I am always a little nervous about university prospects, especially ones that drastically increase their value from where they were drafted.

We've seen that happen before. The worst Staal is Carolina property. We gave Richie a PTO when nobody else would. Just as some examples.

[kyuss275]

As of right now i think Gaudreau would be better of staying in school, continuing with his education, and gaining an extra 10 pounds. No need to waste a year off of his eventual ETC.

As of right now the flames have a lot of work to do to get bigger and grittier for next season. 2 of the 3 guys the flames traded were some of the very few that like to use their body. No need to throw a young, small kid, into a team that can not even protect a goalie.

[Parallex]

No need to worry, he's never said anything that's indicated that he's anything less then stoked to play for the Flames one day (Heck, I saw a picture of him with a banner on his front lawn bragging about it) and he's still an underclassman I figure he plays his junior year at least it'll be good for his physical development and I imagine he wants to play a year with his brother.

The younger Guadreau has Johnny's size (or lack thereof) but does not appear to have anything approaching his skill. I don't think we ought to be using a draft pick on him but if we want to give him a training (Rookie) camp invite (don't think anyone will draft him with his small size and 16 point season in the USHL) I think that would be fine. Some free professional grade skill development, the chance to experience an NHL training camp, and extra time with his brother should be more then enough of a friendly nod at the Gaudreau family.

[landshark]

I would advise EVERY 18 year old kid to stay in school and graduate.

There is no hurry...

[Fire]

Originally Posted by landshark

I would advise EVERY 18 year old kid to stay in school and graduate.

There is no hurry...

He will be 20 in May. There is a limited number of years you can play in the NHL, you can always go back to school after his career.

[Da_Chief]

We're not going anywhere for years so if he can stay in school and really gain core strength that would be the perfect scenario. He's going to take a lot of beating in Calgary if he's one of the main guys right away. I'd rather have Sven, Mackinnon already being the focus and him just sliding in there on the 2nd line and tearing it up.