LW John Gaudreau - Boston College, HE (2011, 104th overall, Calgary)

[Johnny Hoxville]

JG is a sick talent, that's all there is to it.

 

[SickHandsNoShot]

Everytime Gaudreau scores a highlight reel goal, someone has to say "but the team he's playing sucks".

If his opposing D is always so bad, how come no one else in the league is scoring these goals.

Im always confused by that. Did no one watch the WJ's... He made Team Canada's defence and goalie look silly too.

 

[1989]

Everytime Gaudreau scores a highlight reel goal, someone has to say "but the team he's playing sucks".

If his opposing D is always so bad, how come no one else in the league is scoring these goals.

For me, it's because he always looks so good and we have an idea of his potential that I want to understand better what he is facing.

There's always two sides to a story. I'm not saying the other teams make it easy for him, I'm saying I want to know how he's not being neutralized when he's essentially a marquee player at their competition level.

The worst part of highlight reels is that they only show the entertaining stuff. I don't have a reliable way to watch any hockey games let alone USA college hockey since I'm forced to post from my phone so often, but I'd really like to see him and understand what he is like away from the puck/play.

 

[jaa]

Dat skill. Dat speed. His game looks so much similar to Datsyuk/Kane, highlight after highlight. I would say he will be a star in NHL, the size wont matter with those hands and speed he has.

And even if the NHL proves to be too much for him physically, I'd say he will be a superstar on big ice, like in KHL for example.

 

[Loffer]

This kiddo is pure gold.

 

[King In The North]

Everytime Gaudreau scores a highlight reel goal, someone has to say "but the team he's playing sucks".

If his opposing D is always so bad, how come no one else in the league is scoring these goals.

In his defense, he was just responding to a question about the opposing team and their ranking

 

[Vasilevskiy]

That level of competition is too easy for him.

Wonder how would he fare against NHL defense-man

 

[DayTripper]

Jesus Christ. I thought those were just two different angles of the same goal at first!

 

[Reinhart]

That level of competition is too easy for him.

Wonder how would he fare against NHL defense-man

A lot of those questions will start getting answered after BC's season is done. I would expect Gaudreau to get some games in with the Flames at the end of the season. I am sure there will be an adjustment period, but we will really start to see what this kid will look like at the NHL level in a few short months.

 

[Sean Monahan]

Jesus Christ. I thought those were just two different angles of the same goal at first!

same here

johnny hockey has patrick kane written in his game. He needs to continue to work on his play away from puck + gaining size

 

[King In The North]

A lot of those questions will start getting answered after BC's season is done. I would expect Gaudreau to get some games in with the Flames at the end of the season. I am sure there will be an adjustment period, but we will really start to see what this kid will look like at the NHL level in a few short months.

How certain is it he'll leave college in his junior year? Some guys will want to get a degree before moving on.

 

[herashak]

How certain is it he'll leave college in his junior year? Some guys will want to get a degree before moving on.

he said the reason he went back was to get stronger and play with his brother. He made it sound like it was a one year thing going back this september.

 

[MC Ride]

In his defense, he was just responding to a question about the opposing team and their ranking

My bad. To be honest, I didn't even read the quote he was replying to. I appologize.

 

[MC Ride]

Jesus Christ. I thought those were just two different angles of the same goal at first!

I had to watch them like 20 times to figure out they were different goals. They look so identical

 

[Loffer]

Jesus Christ. I thought those were just two different angles of the same goal at first!

Jesus Christ! They were not?? Jesus Christ, the kid is unstoppable on that level of play.

 

[King In The North]

My bad. To be honest, I didn't even read the quote he was replying to. I appologize.

No worries, your point is still valid

 

[William H Bonney]

If I were Calgary (and Gaudreau indeed wants to sign after the NCAA season) I would handle him just like Winnipeg handled Trouba this past season, assuming Boston College isn't in the Frozen Four. Bring him in to practice with the big club, get acclimated to what it takes to be an NHLer, get him quality time with the strength and conditioning program, etc. For a prospect like Gaudreau, that's more important at this stage than throwing him in a few NHL games at the end of the season. Start building that foundation that he'll need to make it as an NHLer and then let him go play for Team USA at the World Championships. I imagine that would do wonders for him heading into the following NHL training camp.

 

[Walkingthroughforest]

A lot of those questions will start getting answered after BC's season is done. I would expect Gaudreau to get some games in with the Flames at the end of the season. I am sure there will be an adjustment period, but we will really start to see what this kid will look like at the NHL level in a few short months.

Doubtful. If BC goes to the Frozen Four (which in all likelihood they will), they'll outlast the Flames' season.

 

[Walkingthroughforest]

I'm going to get jumped all over for saying this, but he reminds me of Gretzky.
I am not saying he will become anything like the player Wayne was, but it is his style of play which is reminiscent. His play behind the net, the eyes he seems have on the back of his head, and his simple (and seemingly perfect) decision making.

If he's able to make that jump to the NHL, we'll have a heck of a player.

 

[Woodtkachuk]

I cannot believe these are two separate goals. He did this twice in one game? Hahaha wow.

 

[Tont]

If I were Calgary (and Gaudreau indeed wants to sign after the NCAA season) I would handle him just like Winnipeg handled Trouba this past season, assuming Boston College isn't in the Frozen Four. Bring him in to practice with the big club, get acclimated to what it takes to be an NHLer, get him quality time with the strength and conditioning program, etc. For a prospect like Gaudreau, that's more important at this stage than throwing him in a few NHL games at the end of the season. Start building that foundation that he'll need to make it as an NHLer and then let him go play for Team USA at the World Championships. I imagine that would do wonders for him heading into the following NHL training camp.

Although as a fan it would be a lot of fun to see him suit up for the Flames near the end of this season, I like the sounds of this. Of course they could also send him down to the AHL, which could be the best place for him at this time.

 

[toewsintangibles]

I cannot believe these are two separate goals. He did this twice in one game? Hahaha wow.

Pretty unbelievable that a guy as slow and small as Gaudrea can do stuff like that.. makes one question how good the league really is

 

[Walkingthroughforest]

Pretty unbelievable that a guy as slow and small as Gaudrea can do stuff like that.. makes one question how good the league really is

Considering the username, the irony of this post is delicious.

 

[jgoud*]

Not trying to troll here but Gaudreau's size will always limit his potential. Based on world juniors, he does play like kane, but kane is 5"11 and Gaudreau is 5"7. Once he hits the NHL guys will know to just take the body. Gerbe put up 35 goals in 43 games playing for boston college, and he's not an All-Star. Transitioning to the NHL when you're that small isn't easy.

 

[HellsBells]

Curious as to why so many like to downplay everything this kid does.

If this was Drouin scoring these goals against a weak defence in the Q, there'd be a 30 page circle jerk on the main page.

Pretty sure it has a lot to do with being a Flames prospect.