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Old 02-26-2012, 12:12 PM   #1
Loob/Backlund
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icon57 John Frickin Gaudreau!

This kid is really getting me excited, he has tools to be a nice offensive player for the Flames one day. His freshmen season continues to impress, he is now tied for second in scoring. Boston College won the Beanpot and he was MVP of the tournament( Bill Arnold scored the game winner ) He looks like a clone of Martin St. Louis, you can't teach the offensive talent he has.

34 games, 16 goals, 15 assists, 31 points and is a +10

Some nice highlights from a recent game:

http://bceagles.cstv.com/allaccess/?media=287423






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Last edited by Loob/Backlund; 02-27-2012 at 04:52 PM.
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Old 02-26-2012, 12:14 PM   #2
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I wonder if he'll play a full four years in college?

Given his size, it might be best for him take as much time as possible to bulk up a bit, but this kid has some serious talent.
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Old 02-26-2012, 12:14 PM   #3
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Let's hope the Flames won't lose him the way they lost St. Louis...
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Old 02-26-2012, 12:16 PM   #4
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Yay, he deserves a "Frickin" thread. He currently has a 7-point game streak with 13 points (7 goals and 6 assists).

Just a quick note though: he scored twice in his last game, so he now has 16 goals and 15 assists in 34 games.
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Old 02-26-2012, 12:16 PM   #5
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watch the highlights of the game I posted, you can see the offensive skills He's #13
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Old 02-26-2012, 12:16 PM   #6
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How thick are his legs. St Louis, Fleury and Loob all had/have tree trunk sized thighs and played with an edge. It matters for Gaudreau being effective at an NHL level. Its one thing to fly around in the NCAA or Jr level. Totally different in the NHL for a little guy... He has offensive skill no doubt about it.
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Old 02-26-2012, 12:18 PM   #7
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I am pumped about this kid as well. I think he may be our best prospect. I truly believe high skill and compete level will make up for his size.
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Old 02-26-2012, 12:24 PM   #8
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Was this kid at the Flames training camp this year? I seem to remember a little guy that had dynamite skill, but I forgot his name...
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Old 02-26-2012, 12:25 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by badradio View Post
Was this kid at the Flames training camp this year? I seem to remember a little guy that had dynamite skill, but I forgot his name...
yes he was.
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Old 02-26-2012, 12:27 PM   #10
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Although I'm excited by his potential, he likely won't be an NHLer for another 4 years. However, if he can break out as a legit top 6er when he's 26 Ill be more than happy.
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Old 02-26-2012, 12:30 PM   #11
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For anyone that has seen both how does he compare to Paul Byron, I know that there is a age difference and Byron is a bit bigger, but opinions?
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Old 02-26-2012, 12:33 PM   #12
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here's an interview with HockeyFuture after his MVP performance at the Beanpot tournament a few weeks ago:

Hockey's Future: How was it playing in your first Beanpot and being named the MVP?

John Gaudreau:
It was awesome getting the MVP, but it was an even better to win my very first Beanpot. It was such a great experience. Being able to hold that Beanpot Trophy was just an awesome feeling.

HF:
Can you talk briefly about making the adjustment from the USHL to the college game?

JG:
I think the biggest factor for me was the speed of the college game. I'm always working on my speed because I'm not as fast as I would like to be. So I think that's been the biggest one, along with my turnovers. I'm trying to limit my turnovers, especially at the blue line. It's something that I know that I have to stop doing and am learning how to limit them. The coaches have been helping me with that in practice, so that's really helped.

HF:
What is it like being part of the Calgary Flames organization?

JG:
It's awesome. They've been really great to me. When I was at their prospect camp, I felt like I was already a part of the Flames because they've treated me so well. I think it'll be a good fit for me and hopefully I'll be able to play with them some day.

HF:
So you were at their prospects camp over the summer?

JG:
Yes

HF:
What did you learn from the camp that you were able to bring with you to Boston College this year?

JG:
Definitely speed. Playing some of those guys, you get to see just how fast they are. I learned how to play smarter all over the rink with these big, strong guys. So it definitely helped out a lot before coming to Boston College.
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Old 02-26-2012, 12:35 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sworkhard View Post
Although I'm excited by his potential, he likely won't be an NHLer for another 4 years. However, if he can break out as a legit top 6er when he's 26 Ill be more than happy.
That's 8 years.
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Old 02-26-2012, 12:37 PM   #14
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Totally different players. While byron plays bigger than he is and is quite physical, gadreau is more a slippery player that is really hard to hit and gets his points primarily by using his vision, skill and hockey smarts.
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Old 02-26-2012, 12:55 PM   #15
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I remember someone posting that his skating was terrible at the prospect camp. Do you think he has improved or was he just having trouble adjusting to a new skating style?
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Old 02-26-2012, 01:22 PM   #16
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He had weak skating, but technically its very good. Its never been terrible.
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Old 02-26-2012, 01:23 PM   #17
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His linemate Bill Frickin Arnold doesn't look bad either
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Old 02-26-2012, 01:29 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan View Post
That's 8 years.
That's right The way I see it he has 3 years of college, then prob a year of AHL before he makes it full time. It then takes most players 3 years to become legit top 6 forwards even if they are putting up good point numbers before that. It takes a few years to fully adjust to the NHL. Its the same reason I don't expect Baertchi to be a great player until his 3rd or 4th year in the NHL. He could still be a very good player until that point, but typical NHL progression goes something like this:

1st year - play in a very sheltered role.
2nd year. Play top 6 competition and start in your own zone quite often. This jump in competition is what causes the sophomore slump we often see in players including Backlund.
3rd year. Breakout year. Points somewhere between 1st and 4th year.
4th year - potential reached. Any improvements after the 4th year are usually slow and progressive.
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Old 02-26-2012, 02:44 PM   #19
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Gaudreau and Arnold play on CBSS next Fri. at 5:30 MT. That's channel 1432 HD and 413 SD on Bell TV. Check your local provider.
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Old 02-26-2012, 05:55 PM   #20
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Has he signed his entry level deal yet? If not, I don't see him being an uber-###### like some little daddy's boy who shall not be named. Hopefully shouldn't be an issue. Also, anyone know if he's added some meat to his 150lb draft-day frame?
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