The Flames stepped way outside the box with this high risk but high reward draft pick. Gaudreau has really quick hands, shifty moves, explosive speed and this really small centerman could stickhandle in a phone booth. He has the determination and big time skill to prove the doubters wrong about his size. The teenager can make bigger players look foolish when they miss trying to check him. If they are able to make contact with him, then he has such excellent edge control with his skates, he can slide off and around the checker. The smallish center needs to add muscle mass and weight to be able to play at the more physical NHL level but he has time to mature. Gaudreau has scored goals at every level of hockey as he's a pure scorer which is an asset that can't be taught.
The 17-year-old centerman was named the USHL Rookie of the year and also named to the All-Rookie Team when he scored 36 goals (second in the USHL) with 36 assists while playing all 60 USHL games. His Dubuque Fighting Saints won the Clark Cup as Champions of the USHL this season.
The young centerman has a commitment to go to Northeastern University this year but the resignation of the Head Coach, Greg Cronin who has joined the Toronto Maple Leafs' coaching staff, has caused the player and his family to weigh out all their options. Gaudreau's options are: attend Northeastern, ask for a withdrawal of intent and sign with another college if granted the withdrawal, return back to play for Dubuque, sign with the Calgary Flames, or sign with a CHL team. What his decision will be, has yet to be announced.
No matter which of these options the outstanding scorer choses to pursue, it will be worth watching to see how he progresses in his hockey career. Gaudreau was picked by the right team because the Flames have given smaller players like Theo Fleury and Martin St. Louis the chance to play in the NHL, but he must still prove them right.
