Gaudreau's decline as a goal scorer

[Love]

He'd score more goals if he could play with a linemates that could set him up instead of Ryan Smyth 2.0 and a rotating list of plugs on his right side

[White Out 403]

From an outsiders perspective Johnny hockey seems WAY down the list of problems to me for the Flames. You might say he's been a bright spot. He strikes me as the most dynamic player on a team suffocated by a boring coach.

[Chonger]

Originally Posted by taco.vidal

Gluegun was hired in the summer of 2016. Johnny's performance seems distinct between the pre-Glen Gulutzan era and the Gulutzan era were in now.

Haven't almost all skilled players on flames seen a drop in production or regression in GG system? While role players have seen an increase.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

[Hey Connor, It's Mess]

Originally Posted by Love

He'd score more goals if he could play with a linemates that could set him up instead of Ryan Smyth 2.0 and a rotating list of plugs on his right side

lol wut. This should end well...

[Chonger]

Originally Posted by Wild GM

Didn't the stick he used for years get discontinued? I wonder if that's a factor at all as I recall it had some unique attributes.

Pretty sure I read they were gonna remake them just for him

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

[Fan in Exile]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

I chalk that up to youthful exuberance right now. Every time he has the puck on his stick he tries to create a grade A scoring chance. He’s an elite playmaker and I’m not about to second guess players with his hockey iq and ability. But I think with growth and experience and the occasional talk with the coach, he’ll learn to pull the reigns in during crucial times.

But as for his performance so far, I think he’s the least of the Flames’ worries. He’s drawn a lot of power plays and has accounted for 55% of his team’s goals. He has figured in on 11 goals and the rest of the team has 9. He deserves his fair share of criticism, but others deserve more blame for these losses right now. The entire bottom 6 right now just eat up time and try to keep their head above water. No one else has stepped up to try and turn the tide our way or effect the game positively. They’re kind of just...there.

Don't disagree with you there about the main issues with the team - although his mistake in the 3rd had a direct outcome on the result last night. Also don't disagree that it's necessarily a big concern that he is scoring fewer goals. But nothing wrong with pointing to a downward trend (in goalscoring). And I think that downward trend is related to him trying to make highlight reel moves all the time instead of making the simple play more often. A tenuous balance because you don't want to stifle his creativity but I think it will serve him better when it becomes a little more balanced.

[GranteedEV]

It's not so much that Gaudreau's production is a "problem" as much as I am wondering what, if anything, has observably changed in his game. He just seemed like more of a goal scorer his first two years.

Originally Posted by Hey Connor, It's Mess

lol wut. This should end well...

Smyth averaged 30G/32A per 82 games for 11 seasons from age 20 to 30. It's a more apt comparision than the silly Kopitar/Toews/Bergeron that get thrown around often.

[Hey Connor, It's Mess]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Smyth averaged 30G/32A per 82 games for 11 seasons from age 20 to 30. It's a more apt comparision than the silly Kopitar/Toews/Bergeron that get thrown around often.

I mean if you're going strictly by points then sure, but that's where the similarities end. Maybe that was Love's point, I don't know. But Monahan has an elite shot and is the superior skater, Smyth made his living with his ass parked a foot in front of the goalie.

[Love]

Originally Posted by Hey Connor, It's Mess

I mean if you're going strictly by points then sure, but that's where the similarities end. Maybe that was Love's point, I don't know. But Monahan has an elite shot and is the superior skater, Smyth made his living with his ass parked a foot in front of the goalie.

Neither are great skaters and both are elite garbageman. Smyth a little better hands around the net, Monahan a better shot. The most apt comparison I could think of.

[AC]

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Love

Neither are great skaters and both are elite garbageman. Smyth a little better hands around the net, Monahan a better shot. The most apt comparison I could think of.

A little better hands, eh?

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Fan in Exile

Don't disagree with you there about the main issues with the team - although his mistake in the 3rd had a direct outcome on the result last night. Also don't disagree that it's necessarily a big concern that he is scoring fewer goals. But nothing wrong with pointing to a downward trend (in goalscoring). And I think that downward trend is related to him trying to make highlight reel moves all the time instead of making the simple play more often. A tenuous balance because you don't want to stifle his creativity but I think it will serve him better when it becomes a little more balanced.

I don’t we’re in any position to tell an elite offensive player on what he should and shouldn’t be doing right now. He’s tied for 7th in league scoring and I still think he has another gear he can hit. Like I said before, he scores on the breakaway in Vancouver or his shot off the post goes in instead and he’d be on pace for 30 again and we’re not having this conversation.

He and Monahan are consistently the most dangerous players on the ice for the team and have figured in on 70% of the teams goals. Fact is, those 2 need help right now because 10 other forwards have collectively scored 6 goals and they’re just not contributing their fair share. If Gaudreau is trying too hard and forcing it, it’s because his line is the only line who can manufacture any type of offense right now and they’re being relied on too heavily. If he pots 20 this season and is a ppg player, I just don’t know how any one can complain or expect any more.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

It's not so much that Gaudreau's production is a "problem" as much as I am wondering what, if anything, has observably changed in his game. He just seemed like more of a goal scorer his first two years.

I think everyone should just exhale right now. He had an off year last season which involved an injury, he’s very likely to hit a minimum of 20 which isn’t far off from his 1st year, but I just don’t see why it matters if he’s still collecting assists and creating numerous scoring chances? Does it actually matter? I mean it’s not like he’s Ryan Johansen who hit 30 early on and may never even come close to 20 again while earning $8M a year. Relax people. He’s had a good start which is considerably better than the same time last year.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Love

Neither are great skaters and both are elite garbageman. Smyth a little better hands around the net, Monahan a better shot. The most apt comparison I could think of.

I agree, he just taps in garbage. I'd much rather have the beautiful goal Bennett almost scored the other night, the one Jagr almost scored, the slick one Johnny almost scored, ..... Who needs the guy who actually scores?

[Dion]

Gaudreau has always been a playmaker in my eyes. It doesn't matter if he scores or gets assists, just as long as he's in on scoring plays.

[JFK]

The Agony and Ecstasy of Johnny Hockey was the alternative title

[JFK]

Originally Posted by Love

He'd score more goals if he could play with a linemates that could set him up instead of Ryan Smyth 2.0 and a rotating list of plugs on his right side

Pretty sure you don't know what a garbage goal is.

[Love]

Originally Posted by edslunch

I agree, he just taps in garbage. I'd much rather have the beautiful goal Bennett almost scored the other night, the one Jagr almost scored, the slick one Johnny almost scored, ..... Who needs the guy who actually scores?

I don't understand this post

[TheFlamesVan]

The guy has never scored more goals than assists....

Gaudreau is Gaudreau, who is an offensive threat every time he's on the ice.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by Love

I don't understand this post

Not surprising.