Does Frédérik Gauthier seem like a Babcock kind of player?

[ShaneFalco]

Babs loves big strong players.

You can't teach 6'-5" and they're that size every shift.

Babs can

 

[BertCorbeau]

Babcock loves his defensively reliable, smart, hard working guys .. The Goat could become a staple on Babs 4th line for years here

 

[ErnieLeafs]

Hardly a prospect in our system in my years of following this team that has worked harder on his game than Freddy.

He's really rounding into fine form. He can be a big difference maker for the club moving forward.

 

[diceman934]

It is funny....the Goat getting praise ...he deserves some but some of these same posters are doubtfull of the player who has had the best camp so far.

It truely is an odd thing.

My take on Freddy...he still needs work. He has one more year and if he is not ready he gets cut loose.

 

[Daisy Jane]

It is funny....the Goat getting praise ...he deserves some but some of these same posters are doubtfull of the player who has had the best camp so far.

It truely is an odd thing.

My take on Freddy...he still needs work. He has one more year and if he is not ready he gets cut loose.

noooooooo.
Freddy can't get cut.

 

[saltming]

It is funny....the Goat getting praise ...he deserves some but some of these same posters are doubtfull of the player who has had the best camp so far.

It truely is an odd thing.

My take on Freddy...he still needs work. He has one more year and if he is not ready he gets cut loose.

Why would you cut him him after only 2 years pro when he greatly improved after his first year?
Kid is looking good. As a goat supporter I might be a little goggle eyed but he has looked better than I expected. Maybe a year ahead of what I thought. For me this instills optimism that he can still become a 3 C at some point.
Go Puzzles! Keep silencing the nay sayers.

 

[darrylsittler27]

In short...yes!

Babcock wants size. Babcock likes grit. Babcock likes Gauthier longterm. He is cheering for him, now is this year or next. He isn't a bust if you want a big reliable 3/4th defensive C.

 

[Babcocks Marner]

It is funny....the Goat getting praise ...he deserves some but some of these same posters are doubtfull of the player who has had the best camp so far.

It truely is an odd thing.

My take on Freddy...he still needs work. He has one more year and if he is not ready he gets cut loose.

Agreed on some calling Marner out, while praising the Goat.... odd.

As I guy that likes them both, hope the goat makes it. If not this year, than next. He is so good on the PK that I hopes he becomes our 4th liner center.

He does need work, but seems to be working hard on those aspects. His skating alone has come a far way since last year.... He will never be an offensive player, but some of his defensive aspect are well above the NHL average, already.

Baaaaahhhhhhhhh

 

[diceman934]

noooooooo.
Freddy can't get cut.

Lol...

I like the Goat... Have always...but waivers and contract limits make player decisions necessary...

 

[Cor]

Gauthier' said biggest issue when he was drafted was his skating. He's worked his ass off to make it, almost a strength at this point. A 6'5 guy moving like that... Yeeesh

Babcock loves hard workers. Guys who put the effort in.

Now, he'll likely get a year in the AHL with a little more offensive opportunity, maybe some more offensive linemates.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Gauthier' said biggest issue when he was drafted was his skating. He's worked his ass off to make it, almost a strength at this point. A 6'5 guy moving like that... Yeeesh

Babcock loves hard workers. Guys who put the effort in.

Now, he'll likely get a year in the AHL with a little more offensive opportunity, maybe some more offensive linemates.

Safe to say the Goat will never be a driving force for the offense on any line he's on, but he can develop his game so he can be a complimentary offensive guy for more skilled wingers .. This season is a good chance for him to develop in that department.

 

[Cor]

Safe to say the Goat will never be a driving force for the offense on any line he's on, but he can develop his game so he can be a complimentary offensive guy for more skilled wingers .. This season is a good chance for him to develop in that department.

Bingo Bango.

10/4 little buddy.

Right On!

Yes! Exactly

Mmhm I concur.

 

[LeafsNation149]

Was expecting Gauthier to make the team next year, but if he keeps playing like this he is easily the best choice for #4 C. Kills penalties and good on faceoff while being big, jeez

 

[ErnieLeafs]

Agreed on some calling Marner out, while praising the Goat.... odd.

As I guy that likes them both, hope the goat makes it. If not this year, than next. He is so good on the PK that I hopes he becomes our 4th liner center.

He does need work, but seems to be working hard on those aspects. His skating alone has come a far way since last year.... He will never be an offensive player, but some of his defensive aspect are well above the NHL average, already.

Baaaaahhhhhhhhh

I don't know anyone who doesn't like them both.

 

[Menzinger]

Why would you cut him him after only 2 years pro when he greatly improved after his first year?
Kid is looking good. As a goat supporter I might be a little goggle eyed but he has looked better than I expected. Maybe a year ahead of what I thought. For me this instills optimism that he can still become a 3 C at some point.
Go Puzzles! Keep silencing the nay sayers.

It eventually becomes a numbers game.

Next year he'll be 22 - an age where many NHLers begin their prime. If he hasn't secured an NHL spot by then things will look doubtful. Especially with so many other young bodies trying to fight for roster spots.

He looks fine so far - maybe once bodies start to get moved out he'll get a chance to get a spot by mid season.

Babcock seems to like what he sees so he does have that going or him. But I really wouldn't hold out much hope he fixes those stone hands of his - he'll have to try to carve out a niche as a defensive specialists if he wants to be an NHl regular

 

[Duckrider]

The only way Freddy does not make it is if the NHL changes to the point that the 4th line becomes more of a scoring line. If he can manage respectable 4th line points why not.

 

[Trapper]

The only way Freddy does not make it is if the NHL changes to the point that the 4th line becomes more of a scoring line. If he can manage respectable 4th line points why not.

The salary cap will prevent the 4th line from ever being that. Good offensive guys move up the line and make more money. A little offense sure, but solid D and PK is key here.

 

[Christ]

He is huge, defensively responsible, capable in the face off circle and coaches seem to like him. Might not be a scoring machine, but he is certainly the kind of guy I see Babcock liking.

 

[saltming]

It eventually becomes a numbers game.

Next year he'll be 22 - an age where many NHLers begin their prime. If he hasn't secured an NHL spot by then things will look doubtful. Especially with so many other young bodies trying to fight for roster spots.

He looks fine so far - maybe once bodies start to get moved out he'll get a chance to get a spot by mid season.

Babcock seems to like what he sees so he does have that going or him. But I really wouldn't hold out much hope he fixes those stone hands of his - he'll have to try to carve out a niche as a defensive specialists if he wants to be an NHl regular

I think he is looked on as a defensive specialist by the organization. Maybe his stone hands can become wood hands? Hahaha
I understand the numbers game but after only 2 years in the ahl if he is still getting better, it makes no sense to cut bait. If he started this year without improvement and same old thing next year I would agree whole heartedly that we should get rid of him. I just don't see the logic if he keeps improving.

 

[pgk]

Lots of people here not understanding his skating issue. Its not really top speed or accel that are his issues (now). He's come a long way since being drafted. His issue now is his evasiveness. He's still not very good at moving laterally and crossing his feet through the neutral zone, he skates in straight lines and is easy to angle off. That's mostly what they're working on with him now. If he can start showing that he can carry the puck in deep he will make the roster. Until then he will marinate. He's going to make the NHL like Babs says, just a matter of when. We have a logjam at C right now but by this time next year I doubt we have that same problem. I don't see Bozak or Laich on this team next year or even past this years deadline. If the Goat isn't deemed ready by then Babs will fill the 4C with froese or holland or whoever has a bit more seasoning. Long term its matthews nylander kadri goat. Goat makes a great learning 4c to throw rookies at in a couple of years. He can win FO, be responsible and make passes for rookie wingers. This year will be fun. Next year will be better. Get better every day boys.

 

[Funk21]

We have a lot of skilled guys up front, guys who can play on the first three line. Having a kid like the Goat is never a bad thing, he is great defensively, good on the draw, strong on the boards and can play in those last few minutes of a game with just a goal seperating us from them.

Look is he ever going to be an offensive dynamo no, but being a big bodied kid, who can skate and do a lot of other things will help this team win. Not only that he will likely be a cheap. I hate to say it but if and when Matthews, Marner and Nylander (Zaitsev) are getting locked up long term its going to be expensive and cap consideration will be in full effect.

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

Seems according to Babcock, Gauthier's issue is his urgency / compete level? He says he needs to pick up his "pace", so I guess he's too cerebral and tentative?

I guess gaining an extra step in your skating is not all that helpful if it still takes you a step to commit to what to do next.

 

[Doug Gilmour]

Gauthier has really impressed this preseason with his developed. He really has the chance to take the next leap right now with Babcock and it's showing.

 

[deletethis]

Seems according to Babcock, Gauthier's issue is his urgency / compete level? He says he needs to pick up his "pace", so I guess he's too cerebral and tentative?

I guess gaining an extra step in your skating is not all that helpful if it still takes you a step to commit to what to do next.

Babcock recently:

What I like best about Freddy is that he's 6'5" and 235 every shift. Doesn't matter if it's good shifts or bad shifts. He's a very intelligent guy to say the least. He's got to play with more pace and he's got to be harder. When's that going to happen? He's going to play in the NHL for sure. How soon is up to Freddy.

That's the type of quote that someone with a positive view on Gauthier will see as an endorsement for Gauthier. Personally, that's as lukewarm as you get. I hear a coach subtly suggesting that the player's effort needs significant improvement.

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

Babcock recently:



That's the type of quote that someone with a positive view on Gauthier will see as an endorsement for Gauthier. Personally, that's as lukewarm as you get. I hear a coach subtly suggesting that the player's effort needs significant improvement.

Yes, this is the quote I was referring to when I said Babcock said his "pace" needs to improve.