Prediction 14/15: Who makes the jump?

[c.t.ner]

Originally Posted by kermitology

c.t.ner, I'm not certain what difference it makes if Gaudreau can't handle the increase in games.. he'll have to be prepared to play in 70-80 games this season regardless. Practicing with the NHL team is going to be better for his skill set anyways as well.

The biggest difference I would say is media and fan expectations. We all saw the media circus that erupted when Baertschi and Backlund were sat last year and criticized. There's more flexibility in Andirondack to sit Gaudreau or let him run out a slump without having to deal with a mini circus.

[c.t.ner]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

You don't think maybe that Burke told Gaudreau and his parents that he would be given a near golden opportunity to be making $925k next year with a shot at some of the other 925 K in bonuses ...... rather than $70k playing in the AHL??

If it was the signing bonus of 185K (2 years) and AHL contract of 70 K Gaudreau would have stayed in BU and been able to pick his team this time next year.

If that's the case then it would pretty much go against everything Burke/Trevling/Hartley have been saying since day one of the new regime.

[firebird]

The jet was there so they could play the game against Vancouver, burning a year on their ELC.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by c.t.ner

The biggest difference I would say is media and fan expectations. We all saw the media circus that erupted when Baertschi and Backlund were sat last year and criticized. There's more flexibility in Andirondack to sit Gaudreau or let him run out a slump without having to deal with a mini circus.

Johnny Hockey doesn't have slumps.

[Hackey]

Originally Posted by c.t.ner

If that's the case then it would pretty much go against everything Burke/Trevling/Hartley have been saying since day one of the new regime.

Exactly. Burke and Treliving will do what is best for the development of the player. Some monetary promise to his parents seems silly. Let's think long term. Players are investments. Everyone is better off if Gaudreau plays when he is ready and has a long successful career. If he's ready he will play. If he's not some development time is fine.

[Monahan23]

It's not the worst thing if Gaudreau plays in the NHL and sits a couple games. He played 40 games last year, 35 the year before. The most games he's ever played was 60.

[djsFlames]

People talk about sitting a rookie as the worst thing ever. They make it sound borderline insulting to the player.

Except if they sat Wotherspoon or Gaudreau for a dozen games over the NHL season, they'd still play as many as they probably would in the AHL. It gives players a chance to sit back and gain some perspective on the game watching it from afar. You can see plays unfold, the pace, and tendencies of veteran players. They'll be told what to observe in order to apply it to their own games in practice and subsequent games. It's all a part of the adjustment process. They're not twiddling their thumbs watching cartoons in the press box. I'll leave it to Bob and co. to decide how to handle Gaudreau and Wotherspoon if they're playing NHL hockey this year. If they're not getting top minutes, then they probably haven't earned it yet. But their time is better spent around NHL hockey learning the ways of the game if they are truly ready for it..But we're not going to Oiler it up in here.

[To Be Quite Honest]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

People talk about sitting a rookie as the worst thing ever. They make it sound borderline insulting to the player.

Except if they sat Wotherspoon or Gaudreau for a dozen games over the NHL season, they'd still play as many as they probably would in the AHL. It gives players a chance to sit back and gain some perspective on the game watching it from afar. You can see plays unfold, the pace, and tendencies of veteran players. They'll be told what to observe in order to apply it to their own games in practice and subsequent games. It's all a part of the adjustment process. They're not twiddling their thumbs watching cartoons in the press box. I'll leave it to Bob and co. to decide how to handle Gaudreau and Wotherspoon if they're playing NHL hockey this year. If they're not getting top minutes, then they probably haven't earned it yet. But their time is better spent around NHL hockey learning the ways of the game if they are truly ready for it..But we're not going to Oiler it up in here.

You're talking about game tape right? Watching plays develop, and getting a feel for the game.

There is no need to sit a player unless there is no choice.

[kehatch]

You know what Hartley's and Treliving's opinion is on Gaudreau starting with the Flames? No? Well neither do they. They are wisely waiting for camp to make the decision. If they had to make the decision you can bet Gaudreau would be in the AHL. Because they understand that rushing a prospect is a bad thing. Especially a AHL eligible prospect that can be called up at any time.

I know that to many Gaudreau is the can't miss prospect of the moment. Just like Baertschi was. Look how well rushing him into the NHL went. Short memories.

The management and coaching will go into camp assume g Gaudreau starts in the AHL. Just like they will assume Bennett will start in the CHL. It will be up to those players to force the Flames to change their plans. If they are good enough they just might.

Meanwhile there are players much further along. The Flames need to see what they have in players like Baertschi. My guess is the Flames are assuming he will make the team. Once again it is up to the players to change the plans.

[ricardodw]

so maybe Monahan will do some time in the AHL now that he is eligible. He is a couple years younger than Gaudreau.

At the world Championships Monahan was a borderline player where Gaudreau was a front line player.

I know that Monahan is not going to be sent down.... even though he was a -20 in sheltered minutes. The argument could be made that he needs to be more aggressive and play both ends of the ice and out play the player opposite him.

He would be wasting time in the AHL as would Gaudreau.

Why would people think that the default is for Gaudreau to play in the AHL? If he supposed to work on being bigger I am sorry to break it to you.... its not happening.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

so maybe Monahan will do some time in the AHL now that he is eligible. He is a couple years younger than Gaudreau.

At the world Championships Monahan was a borderline player where Gaudreau was a front line player.

I know that Monahan is not going to be sent down.... even though he was a -20 in sheltered minutes. The argument could be made that he needs to be more aggressive and play both ends of the ice and out play the player opposite him.

He would be wasting time in the AHL as would Gaudreau.

Why would people think that the default is for Gaudreau to play in the AHL? If he supposed to work on being bigger I am sorry to break it to you.... its not happening.

I agree Johnny should play in the NHL and he did well in that overseas tourney but I wouldn't put much weight on the Worlds as a gauge for future performance. Gaudreau was playing on an even worse team than Canada's and so got more ice time. Also the big ice gives more time to make plays and avoid hits which he won't have in the NHL.

[jg13]

Originally Posted by kehatch

You know what Hartley's and Treliving's opinion is on Gaudreau starting with the Flames? No? Well neither do they. They are wisely waiting for camp to make the decision. If they had to make the decision you can bet Gaudreau would be in the AHL. Because they understand that rushing a prospect is a bad thing. Especially a AHL eligible prospect that can be called up at any time.

I know that to many Gaudreau is the can't miss prospect of the moment. Just like Baertschi was. Look how well rushing him into the NHL went. Short memories.

The management and coaching will go into camp assume g Gaudreau starts in the AHL. Just like they will assume Bennett will start in the CHL. It will be up to those players to force the Flames to change their plans. If they are good enough they just might.

Meanwhile there are players much further along. The Flames need to see what they have in players like Baertschi. My guess is the Flames are assuming he will make the team. Once again it is up to the players to change the plans.

I don't understand how it makes any sense that you might think managements decision at this second would be to put him in the AHL. He will be the most creative and effective player on the entire flames PP next season, he's that good. I know as Flames fans we haven't had a chance to be this excited and overwhelmed about a prospect in forever but this kid is honestly something special and will turn heads in preseason + training camp & the NHL 2014-2015 season, and if you've had a chance to watch him not just this season but in development camp too his 2 way game is not a liability in any way what so ever.

[Street Pharmacist]

It's not rushing a prospect anymore if they're 21 coming from college. That's an awful lot different than an 18 year old coming from the OHL. A lot different.

[ForeverFlameFan]

^ Totally agree with this. Johnny has proven himself worthy of a roster spot, from every league that he's played in. A part of me wants to see how he does the first 5-10 games in the AHL, but I really want to see him just crack the NHL roster and prove everyone wrong like he's been doing his whole life. Nothing against Sam B., But I really want that guy to get top line minutes in the OHL with no pressure on him.

[Rick M.]

That pretty much sums up my view, too, FFF. I hope Bennett gets to play his 9 games, however, as he'll learn a lot and have a focus in Kingston. The kid has drive and smarts.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by jg13

I don't understand how it makes any sense that you might think managements decision at this second would be to put him in the AHL. He will be the most creative and effective player on the entire flames PP next season, he's that good. I know as Flames fans we haven't had a chance to be this excited and overwhelmed about a prospect in forever but this kid is honestly something special and will turn heads in preseason + training camp & the NHL 2014-2015 season, and if you've had a chance to watch him not just this season but in development camp too his 2 way game is not a liability in any way what so ever.

Because Treliving has said so. Because he is a very small prospect coming straight out of college. Because there is plenty of competition for roster spots by players that have more NHL games and are further along their entry level contract where the Flames are going to need to make some decisions. Because there is zero chance of hammering his career by starting him in the AHL and lots of chance by rushing him into the NHL. The list goes on.

This is almost exactly like the hype around Baertschi. People are being ridiculous right now. Camp hasn't even started but people are convinced he will make the team and convinced he will be great right away.

Someone please explain to me why there is a rush to get this guy into the NHL? If he starts in the AHL and is clearly better than the competition he gets called up.

At least reserve your judgement until camp.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

^ Totally agree with this. Johnny has proven himself worthy of a roster spot, from every league that he's played in. A part of me wants to see how he does the first 5-10 games in the AHL, but I really want to see him just crack the NHL roster and prove everyone wrong like he's been doing his whole life. Nothing against Sam B., But I really want that guy to get top line minutes in the OHL with no pressure on him.

He hasn't proven anything yet. He hasn't earned anything yet. Not where it matters. And who is he proving wrong. I haven't seen anyone say he won't be a great NHL player. People are saying be patient and develop him correctly.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by kehatch

He hasn't proven anything yet. He hasn't earned anything yet. Not where it matters. And who is he proving wrong. I haven't seen anyone say he won't be a great NHL player. People are saying be patient and develop him correctly.

Someone else said it already, but the kid isn't an 18 year old coming out of the CHL. He's played 3 years of college hockey already, a little different situation than someone like Bennett. Can't say you're rushing somone that's 21 years old.

And there are a lot of people who say he won't be an NHL player because of his size. Most of the people saying that have probably never watched him play, but it still happens.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by codynw

Someone else said it already, but the kid isn't an 18 year old coming out of the CHL. He's played 3 years of college hockey already, a little different situation than someone like Bennett. Can't say you're rushing somone that's 21 years old.

And there are a lot of people who say he won't be an NHL player because of his size. Most of the people saying that have probably never watched him play, but it still happens.

There are lots if examples if college players being rushed. Moving from 40 to 82+ games, moving to a different style of hockey, transitioning from a student life to a pro life, the travel, the grind, etc. It's a tough transition.

There is no rush. Anyone saying he should be on the team in July before main camp has even started is making the decision to early. Plain and simple.

We don't need any "upset special" garbage this time around.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by kehatch

He hasn't proven anything yet. He hasn't earned anything yet. Not where it matters. And who is he proving wrong. I haven't seen anyone say he won't be a great NHL player. People are saying be patient and develop him correctly.

Maybe it's just me, but his dominating NCAA tenure and his play at the WC gives Johnny a strong case of making it in the NHL over Sam B.