Johnny should be a Calder candidate this season with how productive he has become. I don't even think we've seen him at the top of his game yet.
For 2 games we did, then he got the flu. We saw a glimpse of his potential, wheeling and dealing in the offensive zone while drawing defenders out of position, waiting to the last moment to dish the puck off while spinning away from checks simultaneously creating a 4 on 3 while 2 defenders are chasing him into the corner and he doesn't have the puck anymore. At his best he creates an odd man scoring chance pretty much every shift. He does things nobody else in the NHL does.
The most impressive thing he does is his passing, he pivots the stick with his wrists and creates passes that seem impossible because his stick is so small he can pass to areas other players wouldn't even dream of. When he's on the ice the game changes, he'll be the front runner for the Calder if he can reach his potential as no other rookie has the impact he does on a shift by shift basis. Aside from the best 2 dmen in the league he's the best player on the ice.
Worked out the projections. JG is on pace for 16G 49A 65PTS assuming he plays 81 games (1 game scratch). Considering the claims that he's never been injured, I'd say 60+ points and 80GP could very well happen.
If he doesn't have the most points as a rookie then he might not win, but I think by Christmas he will be leading and then not look back.
I think you need to look at the team expectations and the supporting cast he has to play with as well. The other positives he does have going for him is his small size against other rookies and the dynamism he brings to the game. Everyone gets excited when he has the puck because you know he'll do something special but no one knows what it will be.
I'd need to think about the last time there was a rookie in the league that had the skill and excitement potential he does. Johnny being American, the route he took to get into the league, and him having that underdog factor throughout his hockey career may also affect some voters positively.
Worked out the projections. JG is on pace for 16G 49A 65PTS assuming he plays 81 games (1 game scratch). Considering the claims that he's never been injured, I'd say 60+ points and 80GP could very well happen.
Johnny has never played more than 50 some games in a calendar year, so I'm hopeful, but not sure it's totally realistic
Every time someone has tried to put a limitation on Johnny - he blows through it and makes nay sayers look silly. I think he is going to be a lock for the Calder.
Johnny has never played more than 50 some games in a calendar year, so I'm hopeful, but not sure it's totally realistic
You could say the same for every other rookie coming from junior. You really think he'll just drop off a cliff production wise after 50 games just cause it's more than he's used to? Yeah, I don't think so. This kid lives and breathes hockey.
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You could say the same for every other rookie coming from junior. You really think he'll just drop off a cliff production wise after 50 games just cause it's more than he's used to? Yeah, I don't think so. This kid lives and breathes hockey.
WHL plays 72 games. I assume O and Q are the same.
You could say the same for every other rookie coming from junior. You really think he'll just drop off a cliff production wise after 50 games just cause it's more than he's used to? Yeah, I don't think so. This kid lives and breathes hockey.
Most college kids do hit that wall. But it's usually not that BIG of an issue. They might struggle for several games, then they'll get their second wind and continue on.
Ward was talking about it last year in Abbotsford with all the college kids he had. He was prepared for it, and helped the kids work through it. Although most hit it early, just because they aren't used to playing 3 games in 4 nights type of schedules where you have more games then practice time. Once they physically and mentally adjust to it they are usually fine
Johnny I think hit it during training camp and the first part of the season. He played more hockey in a month then he did his last year of college... Lucky for us he is a determined young man who loves hockey and worked through it.
I think Johnny has a leg up on Forsberg for the Calder. If it is somewhat tied come voting the fact that Johnny played college hockey on the east coast, and the fame he had during his time there, will sway the vote a bit IMO.
Plus I'm biased and I wear my rose colored glasses proudly... it's Johnny ####in Hockey
I look forward to Johnny winning the rookie scoring race and panelists bugging Healy about it. Healy should have to wear a Gaudreau jersey and quit working for any form of media.
Hells yeah. If conditioning does become an issue, JH has already shown us that watching a game from up top will only reinvigorate him. If he sits 4-5 more through the season to stay fresh so be it.
Awesome time to be a Flames fan. Everyone i talk to is buzzing and can't really question me beaking them as I was just as passionate when we were horrible.
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Long time listener, first time caller.
We are going to be incredibly good in 3 or 4 years
The way this team is playing, it could actually be sooner than that. I know it's still early, and they have yet to play some of the elite teams in the west. But if they can continue to play consistently strong hockey for the remainder of the season, I think this team has the potential to be battling for a playoff spot in April. And if not this year, then next year for sure...especially with Bennett coming into the fold.
