John Frickin Gaudreau!

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by T@T

For those who don't want to watch it on a phone

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That was dirty. His ability to kick the puck up to his stick without losing any momentum was world class. Also, the fact he didn't just throw it into the goalies chest on the backhand is something many current Flames could take note of.

What a player!

[Machiavelli]

The kid is slippery.

[T@T]

Todays Boston Herald article:

Boston College enjoyed two signature plays in the Frozen Four and freshman Johnny Gaudreau made both of them.

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/c...eid=1061122969

[Muffins]

Originally Posted by T@T

Todays Boston Herald article:

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/c...eid=1061122969

The article has him at 5'8 now. Good to see he's grown a bit since the draft.

[the-rasta-masta]

Bumping an old thread here, but I've been fairly impressed with Gaudreau's linemate Chris Kreider in the playoffs for NY. In the same amount of games this season, he only had one more point than Gaudreau who is 2.5 years younger... Kreider looks to have roughly 60-70 pounds on him, but kind of puts things in to perspective as to what Gaudreau's potential might be should he ever fill out his frame.

[TheGrimm]

He'd better start packing on some serious poundage if he ever wants to play in the NHL. All of the small players that make it are at least stocky, this guy looks like he weighs in at 130 lbs soaking wet.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by TheGrimm

He'd better start packing on some serious poundage if he ever wants to play in the NHL. All of the small players that make it are at least stocky, this guy looks like he weighs in at 130 lbs soaking wet.

Paul Byron is only 5'7" and 153# and is making it work so far. Byron is also 4 years older so that is probably as big as he's going to get. I agree though, their size is a negative but Gaudreau is very shifty and aware.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Paul Byron is only 5'7" and 153# and is making it work so far. Byron is also 4 years older so that is probably as big as he's going to get. I agree though, their size is a negative but Gaudreau is very shifty and aware.

I think it bodes well for Gaudreau that he made such an impact very quickly after making the jump from the US junior league to tier-I NCAA hockey, which features lots of 21–23-year-old full-grown men on their player rosters.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I think it bodes well for Gaudreau that he made such an impact very quickly after making the jump from the US junior league to tier-I NCAA hockey, which features lots of 21–23-year-old full-grown men on their player rosters.

While this is true, I've always thought that the junior CHL is rougher and dirtier than NCAA hockey and so is a truer test for the pro game.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Paul Byron is only 5'7" and 153# and is making it work so far.

Meh, to be honest I just don't think Byron is good. Borderline NHL'er/Farm-Depth IMO.

I like Gaudreau though, size will be an issue but everything else about him is top notch.

[PlayfulGenius]

With so much at stake, it must be real tempting for the kid to roid up or take some other drastic measure to pack on some pounds.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Meh, to be honest I just don't think Byron is good. Borderline NHL'er/Farm-Depth IMO.

I like Gaudreau though, size will be an issue but everything else about him is top notch.

Yeah, I'm not that impressed with Byron either (not worth a second rounder) but he has managed to survive and play his game despite his size.

[Moya]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Yeah, I'm not that impressed with Byron either (not worth a second rounder) but he has managed to survive and play his game despite his size.

Not worth a second rounder?

Byron is better then the majority of second round picks.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Moya

Not worth a second rounder?

Byron is better then the majority of second round picks.

In the past we've gotten proven NHL players for our second rounders such as Bourque, Kiprusoff, Nilson.

[PlayfulGenius]

Originally Posted by Moya

Not worth a second rounder?

Byron is better then the majority of second round picks.

I'd rather have the 2nd rounder, I think.

I'd rather roll the dice for a chance at an impact player than have an extra AHL player that can play spot duty in the bigs.

Although, Byron can still improve, for sure, but I don't think he'll be an impact player.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Moya

Not worth a second rounder?

Byron is better then the majority of second round picks.

I really don't see Byron as anything more than a 3rd line energy guy.

He's had 3 seasons in the AHL now and has failed to score at a point per game clip.

He's not skilled enough to be a scorer and he's not big enough to be a grinder.

So what exactly is he? I'm not saying he's totally useless, but I think he's going to plateau as a 3rd line energy guy and only in the right situation (ie. a team with a lot of size all throughout the line up).

I kind of expect a little more than that out of a second rounder.

[Moya]

Originally Posted by 868904

I really don't see Byron as anything more than a 3rd line energy guy.

He's had 3 seasons in the AHL now and has failed to score at a point per game clip.

He's not skilled enough to be a scorer and he's not big enough to be a grinder.

So what exactly is he? I'm not saying he's totally useless, but I think he's going to plateau as a 3rd line energy guy and only in the right situation (ie. a team with a lot of size all throughout the line up).

I kind of expect a little more than that out of a second rounder.

Then you are going to be disappointed more times than not.

Second round picks - 2004-2008 (So far)

2004 Draft - 17 players have yet to play an NHL game.

2005 Draft - 13 players have yet to play an NHL game.

2006 Draft - 14 players have yet to play an NHL game.

2007 Draft - 16 players have yet to play an NHL game. - Byrons draft (was taken in the 6th round)

2008 Draft - 13 players have yet to play an NHL game.

[Cole436]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

I'd rather have the 2nd rounder, I think.

I'd rather roll the dice for a chance at an impact player than have an extra AHL player that can play spot duty in the bigs.

Although, Byron can still improve, for sure, but I don't think he'll be an impact player.

In the last four drafts, there has been 120 players selected in the second round.
27 of them have played a game in the NHL so far. I'd say it's a safer bet to have a guy like Byron who can potentially be a full time NHL'er to a potential career AHL'er.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Moya

Then you are going to be disappointed more times than not.

Second round picks - 2004-2008 (So far)

2004 Draft - 17 players have yet to play an NHL game.

2005 Draft - 13 players have yet to play an NHL game.

2006 Draft - 14 players have yet to play an NHL game.

2007 Draft - 16 players have yet to play an NHL game. - Byrons draft (was taken in the 6th round)

2008 Draft - 13 players have yet to play an NHL game.

Okay so he's average for a second round pick in his draft year. The thing is we gave up a second rounder 4 years after his draft year when we should have had a better handle on his top end potential. Like I said in other years a second was worth a proven NHL player, not a tweener. I didn't like the whole Regher deal when it went down and I like it even less now.

[PlayfulGenius]

Originally Posted by Cole436

Really? You'd rather have a second round pick than an actual NHL player?
In the last four drafts, there has been 120 players selected in the second round.
27 of them have played a game in the NHL so far.

Firstly, I don't consider Byron an NHLer yet.

Secondly, its a little much to expect players from this past draft or even the previous one to be in the NHL...its likely better to take a cross section of drafts previous to that to get an accurate figure.

Thirdly, of the percentage of 2nd rounders that make the NHL, what percentage are actually impact players?

Based on these 3 points... Yes, I'd take a 2nd rounder for Byron.