The key difference between the two is hockey IQ. While a smart player in his own right, Comrie gets blown away here. Gaudreau's vision with the puck and ability to get open are literally generational, perhaps even exceeding that of Crosby.
I didn't say the competition was weak. The point is I don't think you can use the World Championships as an indication of what he'll be able to do at the NHL level because, while the talent level is still good, it's not what he'll be up against in the NHL. That's all.1. That Germany team with 0 NHL players would would have probably beat the US (mostly NHL players) by a score of 4-1 were it not for Gaudreau. They were a decent team.
2. If the competition is so weak, then why aren't any of the dozens of NHL players, some of whom are stars, outscoring Johnny Gaudreau. They play the weaker opponents as well.
3. How are the other premier NHL prospects doing? Didn't see Kuznetsov among the scoring leaders, and I think he's a terrific talent.
This thread is probably the funniest thing I’ve ever read on HF.
I’m reading and with each post, the hype is jumping SIGNIFICANTLY higher. Giroux… Datsyuk… better than Crosby… GRETZKY.
Not that they aren’t fair comparisons (from my VERY limited viewings of Gaudreau, the Gretzky comparison stylistically is somewhat accurate IMO).
I hope he makes it. It’s always fun to see an underdog become something special. Good luck Johnny Gretzky.
I know I'm gonna get bashed for saying this, but he honestly doesn't even remind me of a hockey player. I think the best comparison for him is Luke Skywalker. Not the biggest guy, but he just has this feel for the game like a 6th sense. He deflects shots so well too, similar to how Luke deflects lasers with his lightSabre.
Totally agree. I've been making this comparison for a few months.I'm probably going to be seen to be taking the hype to an even higher level (yes, it is possible) but I'm really not..... here goes.
To me, the best comparisons in terms of how he plays, skates, sees the ice, etc., is Gretzky (light, light, light). And yes, I am old enough to remember Gretzky from his first day in the NHL. Johnny's quickness, elusiveness, ability to avoid the big hit (we hope!); stop and turn on a dime, find the open man all reminiscent of Gretzky to me. And, he just continually makes plays that make you ask "how the eff did he do that; what did I just see?!?!!" ... just like Gretzky continually did in his heyday (not the post-Kings Gretzky, who was a different and much lesser animal).
Now, the BIG qualifier. Gretzky is one of the 3 best of all-time (and very likely THE best)... Gaudreau may or may not be a legit NHLer, way too early to tell. Virtually all of the above praise is against non-NHL competition, remains to be seen if he can do same against the big boys. So I'm not saying he is or will be as good as Gretzky, not even close, he won't be, not even close. Regular 60-70 pt. guy with maybe a season or two over 80 at his peak is best anyone could realistically hope for.
But in terms of STYLE of play, its who he reminds me of. Other player that comes to mind (if you remove the grit and tenacity) is Gilmour (who I always thought was Gretzky (light, light, plus grit).
This thread is probably the funniest thing I’ve ever read on HF.
I’m reading and with each post, the hype is jumping SIGNIFICANTLY higher. Giroux… Datsyuk… better than Crosby… GRETZKY.
Not that they aren’t fair comparisons (from my VERY limited viewings of Gaudreau, the Gretzky comparison stylistically is somewhat accurate IMO).
I hope he makes it. It’s always fun to see an underdog become something special. Good luck Johnny Gretzky.
I know I'm gonna get bashed for saying this, but he honestly doesn't even remind me of a hockey player. I think the best comparison for him is Luke Skywalker. Not the biggest guy, but he just has this feel for the game like a 6th sense. He deflects shots so well too, similar to how Luke deflects lasers with his lightSabre.
Could Mike Ribeiro be a good comparison?
He is elusive, avoid check, see play really well and is not what you could call a puck hound. Ribeiro has this kind of 6th sense for where the play is going.
And the carreer totals of Ribeiro are that of a top 6 player who can play 1st line minute but is more of a pp specialist.
What do you think?
Could Mike Ribeiro be a good comparison?
He is elusive, avoid check, see play really well and is not what you could call a puck hound. Ribeiro has this kind of 6th sense for where the play is going.
And the carreer totals of Ribeiro are that of a top 6 player who can play 1st line minute but is more of a pp specialist.
What do you think?