Frédérik Gauthier

[7even]

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=160357

Is it not reasonable to expect a > PPG pace this year?

Not suggesting we expect a 90 point pace, but something over PPG, which he has yet to achieve.

I liked the pick, he was in the top 3 for best defensive forwards in the Q during his draft year. He scored at a .0977 draft year, and followed it up with a .963.

This year he was around 50th. in PPG in the Q.

Yes, everyone knows he wasn't drafted on offense, but this year he'll be amongst the senior players in the league, and he is a 1st. round pick.

I'm not disappointed but I expect players to peak after age 18, and even 2nd. round pick Jay McClement was over PPG as a 19 year old.

At least he isn't a Shaun Landolt.

I'm hoping for 80-90pts this year in the Q. Might sound overly optimistic to some, but he's in his draft+2 year, and if you paid attention to Rimouski last season, you'll remember the bizzare first half of the season they had. Quite the underachievement to start the year. Gauthier and the rest of the team picked it up down the line. I expect that to continue.

If nothing else, it's cool to have a 6'5 centre prospect.

 

[ULF_55]

I'm hoping for 80-90pts this year in the Q. Might sound overly optimistic to some, but he's in his draft+2 year, and if you paid attention to Rimouski last season, you'll remember the bizzare first half of the season they had. Quite the underachievement to start the year. Gauthier and the rest of the team picked it up down the line. I expect that to continue.

If nothing else, it's cool to have a 6'5 centre prospect.

Yes, if could become an elite (yes I went there) 3rd. line center, it would take a huge burden off the top 2 lines.

If he becomes a McClement, it really isn't a huge win. Look at what the Leafs did this year, went to market and signed a bunch of guys on the cheap to play the bottom 6. Bottom 6 guys can be had for cheap during UFA season because other teams have an excess of those guys.

 

[crump]

To further underline the "grizzled veteran" point above....In the past, shutdown centers would have been drafted as offensive players. Guys like Rob Brind'Amour, Keith Primeau, Peter Zezel, we're utilized in shutdown roles later in their careers. Elite players like Toews, Mike Richards can play a shutdown role right away. Is Gauthier a generational defensive talent that can jump right in and be that shutdown guy after a year in the AHL? Nobody knows until he plays against NHL talent. I remember the Leafs drafting and grooming Mike Eastwood as a defensive centre. It's safe to say he was good at it, but not at the level of some of those elite shutdown centers. My guess is Gauthier becomes a player like Eastwood or even a Nik Antropov at his best.

The problem with grooming a Mike Eastwood type, is after 3 years you either have to invest heavily in the player, or trade him to get what you can for them. Eastwood became a better defensive player after he left the leafs, same with Laurie Boschman who was also considered a pretty good defensive centre in his day.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Realistically Gauthier is going to be a 30-35 point man. I am basing this on his goal projection.

He has scored 22 and 18 goals in his 2 seasons in the Q. Which is basically 20 per year on a 60 game season.

Unless he substantially improves these numbers, it is hard to foresee him scoring 20 in the NHL when you barely are able to at the junior ranks.

We are being realistic here in the expectations for him scoring wise. Hanzal scored 26 goals for Red Deer his final junior year, and his career best year was a 40 point, 15 goal season.

The Hanzal upside comparison is probably the best comparable. Hanzal 2.0 is the hope, Mcclement 2.0 is the worst case scenario.

 

[ponder]

I'm optimistic that he makes the NHL, though I don't think it happens soon. 1 more year in the Q, then probably 2+ in the AHL. I'd be surprised if he become a Hanzal, but I can see him becoming a really good 4C, or even a pretty good 3C. Hanzal is IMO well on his way to becoming a very good 2C (he's bigger than Gauthier, better defensively, more skilled, and put up 40 points in 65 games last year, I won't be shocked to see some 50+ point seasons out of him), I think that's too much to expect from Gauthier, but I'll be happy with a good 3/4C.

 

[Sundinisagod]

Realistically Gauthier is going to be a 30-35 point man. I am basing this on his goal projection.

He has scored 22 and 18 goals in his 2 seasons in the Q. Which is basically 20 per year on a 60 game season.

Unless he substantially improves these numbers, it is hard to foresee him scoring 20 in the NHL when you barely are able to at the junior ranks.

We are being realistic here in the expectations for him scoring wise. Hanzal scored 26 goals for Red Deer his final junior year, and his career best year was a 40 point, 15 goal season.

The Hanzal upside comparison is probably the best comparable. Hanzal 2.0 is the hope, Mcclement 2.0 is the worst case scenario.

Agreed.

Gauthier projects to be the type of 3rd line c we could have used against Boston to prevent that game 7 collapse...coincidence or not?

 

[Daisy Jane]

i have said this several times. This guy was going to go to Harvard, and Sidney Crosby called him up and said don't go to university yet, pursue a hockey career. And while you can quibble that yeah hockey players make a lot of coin, so it's an obvious choice - I simply don't see Crosby calling every single tweener out there who happens to play in the Q and talking them out of a serious life decision.

For that alone, regardless of projection, or what he could/could not do, i think we really have a diamond in a rough here. I'm not going to say he's going to be amazing offensively, but he could be very, incredibly special.

 

[ULF_55]

Agreed.

Gauthier projects to be the type of 3rd line c we could have used against Boston to prevent that game 7 collapse...coincidence or not?

Leafs weakness for a while has been at center, and that last game Bozak never played, so it was McClement after McClement after McClement.

McClement never had a point that series.

IIRC Bozak played the previous game injured.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

i have said this several times. This guy was going to go to Harvard, and Sidney Crosby called him up and said don't go to university yet, pursue a hockey career. And while you can quibble that yeah hockey players make a lot of coin, so it's an obvious choice - I simply don't see Crosby calling every single tweener out there who happens to play in the Q and talking them out of a serious life decision.

For that alone, regardless of projection, or what he could/could not do, i think we really have a diamond in a rough here. I'm not going to say he's going to be amazing offensively, but he could be very, incredibly special.

Leafs pick John McIntyre was scholastically one of the OHL's best players. I often wondered what happened to him?

Agreed.

Gauthier projects to be the type of 3rd line c we could have used against Boston to prevent that game 7 collapse...coincidence or not?

The hope is high quality #3C. Faceoffs, defence, shutdown. Not sure the offence is there for top 6. Again, if we get Hanzal 2.0, I am fine with this. Mcclement 2.0, then this pick should have been better used.

 

[Stephen]

To further underline the "grizzled veteran" point above....In the past, shutdown centers would have been drafted as offensive players. Guys like Rob Brind'Amour, Keith Primeau, Peter Zezel, we're utilized in shutdown roles later in their careers. Elite players like Toews, Mike Richards can play a shutdown role right away. Is Gauthier a generational defensive talent that can jump right in and be that shutdown guy after a year in the AHL? Nobody knows until he plays against NHL talent. I remember the Leafs drafting and grooming Mike Eastwood as a defensive centre. It's safe to say he was good at it, but not at the level of some of those elite shutdown centers. My guess is Gauthier becomes a player like Eastwood or even a Nik Antropov at his best.

The problem with grooming a Mike Eastwood type, is after 3 years you either have to invest heavily in the player, or trade him to get what you can for them. Eastwood became a better defensive player after he left the leafs, same with Laurie Boschman who was also considered a pretty good defensive centre in his day.

If he can be a Martin Hazal that would be a fantastic boost to the forward ranks. We haven't been able to cycle since we got rid of Ponikarovsky and Antropov.

 

[Face Of Bear]

Gauthier projects to be David Steckel. He doesnt have the offense to be a Hanzal or a 3rd line C who can face the opponents top lines while still putting up 35+ points.

He's just going to be another offensive blackhole with defensive upside. Dime-a-dozen player

 

[Porn*]

I'd give him another year to work in the AHL and improve his skating....

but I love the idea of playing the 4th line 12min a game... it means our 1st line won't be over played and exhausted, possibly reduce the risks of injuries and force us to put talent and not scrubs throughout the 12 spots.

 

[Porn*]

Gauthier projects to be David Steckel. He doesnt have the offense to be a Hanzal or a 3rd line C who can face the opponents top lines while still putting up 35+ points.

He's just going to be another offensive blackhole with defensive upside. Dime-a-dozen player

What scouting is this based on? do you know how he'll develop?

why have the leafs not hired you yet?

I recommend you play the lottery...

 

[daveleaf]

I can see him in the AHL this year. The year after things would change considerably. You would have to make room for him, Leivo and Nylander. Kadri better get off to a good start this year and be consistent or I can see him being an odd man out come next year. If there is someway we can add a top centre in this coming draft we would have changed immensely our talent down the middle. Team is not that far off from taking shape.

 

[Ace88*]

Gauthier projects to be David Steckel. He doesnt have the offense to be a Hanzal or a 3rd line C who can face the opponents top lines while still putting up 35+ points.

He's just going to be another offensive blackhole with defensive upside. Dime-a-dozen player

Gauthier is 5 times the skater now than steckel ever was. That alone should make hom a better player. I can see why folks use the steckel comparison but Gauthier has more, better tools.

 

[Leafidelity]

Gauthier projects to be David Steckel. He doesnt have the offense to be a Hanzal or a 3rd line C who can face the opponents top lines while still putting up 35+ points.

He's just going to be another offensive blackhole with defensive upside. Dime-a-dozen player

I like the Steckel comparison because it shows me who hasn't watched Gauthier take a shift

 

[The Thin White Duke]

I don't get the offensive blackhole comments. Do I expect him to be walking through NHL defenses? Of course not. But a 6'5+ physical center who can skate and protect the puck will definitely help out offensively. His shot, passing and faceoffs are just icing on the cake, even if they don't develop to a high level, he'll still be useful at both ends of the ice.

 

[Face Of Bear]

He isn't "above average" in any offensive traits. Shot, passing speed, general offense IQ, none of it is high end. And that's compared to his junior peers. He would need to take huge strides in his offensive game to even be projected as a 30-40 point guy.

And to be honest I won't even be surprised to see him struggle in the AHL once he gets there.

 

[Liminality]

He isn't "above average" in any offensive traits. Shot, passing speed, general offense IQ, none of it is high end. And that's compared to his junior peers. He would need to take huge strides in his offensive game to even be projected as a 30-40 point guy.

And to be honest I won't even be surprised to see him struggle in the AHL once he gets there.

Think you're underselling him a bit.



He's got talent, that's why he's been around a ppg in the Q the past two years. Yes you'd like to see him get above a ppg but I think his points translate better into NHL points. His type of goals and play will make his transition easier to the AHL and NHL levels imo but we'll see.

He's still projected to be a high end 3rd liner which the team could use at the moment.

 

[Menzinger]

Gauthier intrigues me: his offensive numbers have been medicore so far, but his defencive play is certainly top notch. I'm hoping he manages to get an offensive kickstart this year, and develop into a player capable of putting up 35-40 points in the NHL. Not saying that's going to happen: i'd just like it too.

This season will be pretty telling in terms of where his offensive game is going. But if he can't put up noticeable numbers at the lower levels, it becomes very unlikely he'll suddenly b able to do so once he hits the AHL or even the NHL.

 

[7even]

I can see him in the AHL this year. The year after things would change considerably. You would have to make room for him, Leivo and Nylander. Kadri better get off to a good start this year and be consistent or I can see him being an odd man out come next year. If there is someway we can add a top centre in this coming draft we would have changed immensely our talent down the middle. Team is not that far off from taking shape.

Freddy Goats is ineligible for the AHL this year. Think he could use the extra year in junior to work on his offense anyways.

 

[WTFMAN99]

I don't get the offensive blackhole comments. Do I expect him to be walking through NHL defenses? Of course not. But a 6'5+ physical center who can skate and protect the puck will definitely help out offensively. His shot, passing and faceoffs are just icing on the cake, even if they don't develop to a high level, he'll still be useful at both ends of the ice.

His shot needs work actually right now.

 

[hockeygeek]

Hoping he makes the juniors again. It always makes the tournament better if it has some Leaf prospects. Plus I think he'll show a lot more than last year.

 

[Durrr]

Realistically Gauthier is going to be a 30-35 point man. I am basing this on his goal projection.

He has scored 22 and 18 goals in his 2 seasons in the Q. Which is basically 20 per year on a 60 game season.

Unless he substantially improves these numbers, it is hard to foresee him scoring 20 in the NHL when you barely are able to at the junior ranks.

We are being realistic here in the expectations for him scoring wise. Hanzal scored 26 goals for Red Deer his final junior year, and his career best year was a 40 point, 15 goal season.

The Hanzal upside comparison is probably the best comparable. Hanzal 2.0 is the hope, Mcclement 2.0 is the worst case scenario.

This could be true, but look at players like Ryan O'Reilly. Not one 20 goal OR PPG season in the OHL in 2 seasons. Was also praised for his defensive game, drafted late in the first round and just had a 28 goal 64 point season at age 23.

Not saying this will happen, but just wanted to point out how anything is possible. Everyone wants to write off players before they have even turned 20 years old and have yet to even have a professional game played.

 

[Gamble9]

nobody writes about him not being used in a offensive role and being behind older centers and having to wait his turn to be the guy which happens in the chl often especially to players like fred who came late to the party as he did and who show a great affinity to the defensive side of the game I like the pick and I think he will prove a lot of people wrong this year and breakout in a offensive roll