Gaudreau to stay at Boston College for 2013-2014

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by transplant99

I actually somewhat agree with Rhett...not the whole "its easier" stuff but that this is a huge red flag moving forward.

Once his season ends next year the Flames have a very small window to sign him, and should he decide not to ink a deal...will be a FA and free to go where he likes.

RW points out that had he decided to go pro this year, he would have little competition for a starting spot. He's right. And the whole "let the kid get his degree" stuff is non applicable at this point, because even if he goes back this season, he still wont be graduating for another year after that. Not to mention he can go play pro and get his degree at any point in the future.

Not real good news here IMO.

Pretty sure the Flames hold his rights for another year after that - 4 total, not 3.

Rhett is an idiot anyways. This is not something unexpected for anyone that knows anything about Gaudreau. The guy is a high-end prospect whose biggest adversity to making it to the NHL is size. Really not a surprise that he needs to work on his size a bit.

I think this is a much safer choice for both him and the Flames. Last thing anybody wants is to have him come in and get injured right away because his body wasn't physically prepared.

[JiriHrdina]

I don't think there is a wrong choice here for Gaudreau - there are strong arguments to be made on either side.
The one thing I think the Fan guys didn't address is that by playing college hockey he has less games, meaning he should be able to spend more time in the gym to add some weight to his frame. Of course he actually has to do that - but it is hard to put on weight and build some mass when you are in the rigors of a pro hockey schedule. Easier to do in college I think.

Caveat: All of this is probably as uneducated decisions as Rhetts is. Ultimately I think only the player and his family no all the factors closely enough to make a decision.

ADDITION: I'm not really worried about him becoming a FA, I think he's the kind of kid that will want to stay with the organization that took a shot on him and has treated him quite well.

[bubbsy]

I noticed that his twitter pic is of him at flames camp in the flames practice jersey, hopefully there's a hint that he has intentions of being a flame one day.

Going back to college for another year or two is a possibility for the kid, and really upto him on whether he wants that degree. Good for him either way.

Now, wrt to Warrerner's comments. Boy he seems like sour grapes against the flames. I don't listen to the fan much (don't live in CGY), but does he ever have anything positive to say??

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by gargamel

BC isn't Ivy League, but I agree with your point. Rhett is way off base here. It's unfortunate that the sports talk format rewards strong opinions more than intelligent ones.

Sorry about that, brain fart, for some reason was thinking Cornell.

While BC isn't Ivy League, there are other reasons to do post secondary than taking it easy. I'm not saying I have any insight into the situation, but this was a doushy thing to say, imo.

@FAN960Jason: Agree or disagree, more Rhett: "Don't kid yourself. He's staying for the fun of it, and for the ease of his college life." #Flames

[gargamel]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

While BC isn't Ivy League, there are other reasons to do post secondary than taking it easy. I'm not saying I have any insight into the situation, but this was a doushy thing to say, imo.

Agreed, and BC is still a good school and a degree from there is worth a lot. Or at least it better be for the amount that I paid for mine.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Why does Rhett get any air time?

Because he offers a unique opinion and unlike most of the radio guys on there isn't scared to speak his mind at risk of getting his hand slapped for not towing the party line about the Flames.

What he said isn't bad at all and isn't surprising coming from a guy that gave it his all on the ice and has always seemed to be a very competitive hard nosed guy. I am not surprised at all to hear these types of things from Rhett as it seems to fit in with his personality.

He may be wrong and it may not apply as well to Gaudreau but I am fairly certain if Rhett were in the same position he would want to go to camp and fight for an NHL spot.

[UKflames]

I don't have an issue with the kid staying and it sounds to me like Rhett is just trying to justify his air time by saying something contraversial.

Next year there is a good chance that we are going to suck again, is that really the right environment to bring this kid into. Better he stays at college, dominates again and puts on more size to be able to handle the rigours of the pro game.

just my 2c worth.

[jwags]

Pretty big talk from a guy who's only time in college saw him trying to crash frat parties at the ripe old age of 36.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by moon

Because he offers a unique opinion and unlike most of the radio guys on there isn't scared to speak his mind at risk of getting his hand slapped for not towing the party line about the Flames.

What he said isn't bad at all and isn't surprising coming from a guy that gave it his all on the ice and has always seemed to be a very competitive hard nosed guy. I am not surprised at all to hear these types of things from Rhett as it seems to fit in with his personality.

He may be wrong and it may not apply as well to Gaudreau but I am fairly certain if Rhett were in the same position he would want to go to camp and fight for an NHL spot.

He complains about Iginla and the veterans, now he complains about Gaudreau and the rookies. He never says anything positive and is always looking to stir the pot.

He's the Ray Ferraro of the Fan.

Personally, besides all the other reasons mentioned, I see no need to rush Gaudreau (especially if he doesn't think he's ready) just to burn a year on his ELC on the worst team in the league next season.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by gargamel

Agreed, and BC is still a good school and a degree from there is worth a lot. Or at least it better be for the amount that I paid for mine.

My ex went to BC, and after some of the conversations we had I have to question their admission standards. I also have to question MY admission standards

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

He complains about Iginla and the veterans, now he complains about Gaudreau and the rookies. He never says anything positive and is always looking to stir the pot.

He's the Ray Ferraro of the Fan.

There is not much to be positive with this team in terms of veterans or prospects. Not sure why Rhett has to say anything nice about a bad situation?

[Fire]

I'm not too worried now, but if he stays for his final year I will crapping my pants and nobody wants to see that.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I don't think there is a wrong choice here for Gaudreau - there are strong arguments to be made on either side.
The one thing I think the Fan guys didn't address is that by playing college hockey he has less games, meaning he should be able to spend more time in the gym to add some weight to his frame. Of course he actually has to do that - but it is hard to put on weight and build some mass when you are in the rigors of a pro hockey schedule. Easier to do in college I think.

Caveat: All of this is probably as uneducated decisions as Rhetts is. Ultimately I think only the player and his family no all the factors closely enough to make a decision.

ADDITION: I'm not really worried about him becoming a FA, I think he's the kind of kid that will want to stay with the organization that took a shot on him and has treated him quite well.

I've read interviews and he's well aware of the 'Johnny Hockey' name and that Calgary fans are excited about him becoming a member of the Calgary Flames. I'm hoping he wants to go to a place where the fans care and where he will be appreciated. I really hope he's not going down the path of those guys that shafted the teams that thought enough of them to draft and invest in them.

[JiriHrdina]

Another point - having a back up plan in terms of an education isn't a bad thing. People should watch Broke (30 for 30) - far too few athletes have a Plan B or a plan for what happens after hockey.

Johnny G is no guarantee to be an NHLer - in fact some would say his size still makes him a long shot. I would say he's a sure-fire bet to be able to make a living as a pro player for a number of years - but he isn't going to set himself up for life making AHL dollars.

An education gives him options down the road for life after hockey.

Absolutely nothing wrong with that.

[gargamel]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Man, the knives come out pretty quick for Warrener here...

I'm not sure what is worse though, a guy having an opinion or ripping a guy for having an uneducated opinion, based on your own equally uneducated opinion.

Warrener is ripping Gaudreau based on Warrener's own assumptions about the kid's motivations for staying in school. We're ripping Warrener for spouting off without having any idea about Gaudreau's real motivations. There's a huge difference there.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Another point - having a back up plan in terms of an education isn't a bad thing. People should watch Broke (30 for 30) - far too few athletes have a Plan B or a plan for what happens after hockey.

Johnny G is no guarantee to be an NHLer - in fact some would say his size still makes him a long shot. I would say he's a sure-fire bet to be able to make a living as a pro player for a number of years - but he isn't going to set himself up for life making AHL dollars.

An education gives him options down the road for life after hockey.

Absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Personally I believe given his stature that he's probably not physically ready to play in the NHL or possibly even AHL. I think this is the right decision. I do hope that the Flames turn things around somewhat next season and improve their standing around the league off the ice as I believe as of right now you could make a case for parents and agents looking at the Flames as a bad place to go based off media negativity surrounding the team. It's important that the franchise is looked at as a good place to be not the circus it has been at times this season.

[Cheese]

@FAN960Jason: Agree or disagree, more Rhett: "Don't kid yourself. He's staying for the fun of it, and for the ease of his college life." #Flames

Ya so? What is wrong with that? He has many years left to be serious. You only live once.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Another point - having a back up plan in terms of an education isn't a bad thing. People should watch Broke (30 for 30) - far too few athletes have a Plan B or a plan for what happens after hockey.

Johnny G is no guarantee to be an NHLer - in fact some would say his size still makes him a long shot. I would say he's a sure-fire bet to be able to make a living as a pro player for a number of years - but he isn't going to set himself up for life making AHL dollars.

An education gives him options down the road for life after hockey.

Absolutely nothing wrong with that.

What I never understand is why people feel top tier athletes can't get an education after they finish playing sports (or in the offseason).

An entry level contract will provide an athlete with the flexibility and money to be able to pick up his education after his playing career is over or during the summer.

Plenty of athletes finish their degrees in the off-season in other sports, Vince Carter comes to mind specifically due to the backlash of him attending the ceremony to get his degree during the playoffs.

If you are a player that may never get the opportunity in the NHL and don't have teams offering you max ELC's then I recommend staying the four years and making sure that you get that education.

But if you are a young player that has a team offering you 900k on a ELC I say you should take that opportunity, nothing prohibits you from going back and finishing your degree if your career does not go as planned.

[MissTeeks]

And I don't understand why some fans and the media think they know what is better for the kid than him and his family do. This is his choice, not much you can do about it.

[looooob]

Originally Posted by Cheese

@FAN960Jason: Agree or disagree, more Rhett: "Don't kid yourself. He's staying for the fun of it, and for the ease of his college life." #Flames

Ya so? What is wrong with that? He has many years left to be serious. You only live once.

agree and given many of Rhett's anectodes over the years it doesn't sound as if his time as a pro hockey player was void of fun itself

he's making a decision to enjoy a certain time in his life and grow physically and otherwise--