LW Johnny Gaudreau (2011, 104th overall, Calgary) IV

[GetThePuckOut]

Once he gets this monkey off his back things will start coming a lot easier. He's playing well but he's not at his best. As soon as he kicks this slump we'll see the real Johnny Hockey.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

To all those saying he's been the best Flame on the ice, this is hyperbole. Last night he played about 10 minutes and had no shots on net.

 

[Whileee]

Yup, maybe we should just lock the thread about a prospect in the prospect forum then if it makes the Jets fan happy.

One day Petan will get some hype.

... wait, don't get me wrong. I love the comfort of coming to the Prospect forum and seeing the steady stream of Gaudreau threads. It won't be the same without it.

Regardless of how Gaudreau turns out as an NHL player, he will definitely deserve a place in the HFBoards Prospects Forum Hall of Fame. He's become a discussion board legend.

 

[Whileee]

If you don't like the thread stop posting in it instead of spamming it.

... I love the thread. It's like a morning cup of coffee.

It's logically impossible to "spam" this thread.

 

[Kranix]

It's not about whether it's appropriate to discuss a prospect on the Prospect board, but how this prospect ended up generating such a huge number of posts.

Imagine the sad day when he'll no longer be eligible for discussion as a "prospect". What is the over/under on the total number of threads and posts that will have been devoted to him before he graduates to the more general status of a pro player?

I would not have believed one hockey prospect could generate this many posts, but the hockey-fan-of-today won't be denied. This off-season, multi-part discussion threads on him will take place in the history of hockey forums and the main NHL forums.

 

[SmellOfVictory]

Yeah honestly I'm still waiting for this 'elite skill level' we all heard about to shine through. Not an explosive skater and has a marshmallow shot. Being the smallest player in the NHL you would expect high-end speed. Watched 4 of 5 Flames games this year and 5 of 6 of his NHL games. He is a tremendous stickhandler and has excellent hockey sense. He's just not the full package of skill I was anticipated. It's still early to write him off, but honestly not overly impressed with his skill level at this point. He's working hard though.

It was mentioned by numerous scouts that, although his agility and edgework are exceptional, his top-end speed is only "good". It's that skating agility, combined with his hands/eyes/brain and an ability to avoid getting obliterated, that make him an exciting prospect.

As to his shot, he's no Michael Cammalleri, but to call it a muffin is a disservice. He's got an NHL-calibre shot.

 

[tfong]

Yeah honestly I'm still waiting for this 'elite skill level' we all heard about to shine through. Not an explosive skater and has a marshmallow shot. Being the smallest player in the NHL you would expect high-end speed. Watched 4 of 5 Flames games this year and 5 of 6 of his NHL games. He is a tremendous stickhandler and has excellent hockey sense. He's just not the full package of skill I was anticipated. It's still early to write him off, but honestly not overly impressed with his skill level at this point. He's working hard though.

Thats about what you will get. Johnny i dont think is ever going to blast pucks. Hes going to pick corners and deke most of his goals in. We know he is not an explosive skater, he is more of the elusive agile type.

Really speaking for those of us watching him over the years we know he isnt the entire package. He is a puck possession guy with elite hockey sense that works hard. So what you are seeing here is basically what most flames fans have seen. As such i think he is more likely to become a complimentary top line winger more than anything else.

But for a 4th rounder, ill take that.

 

[nbwingsfan]

Have you watched any of the games though?

Didn't read my last line, or did you stop reading after the first sentence since no one can criticize him?

I've seen 4 of the Flames games this season since I'm a night Hawk, and yes he has "looked" good.

But what's the point of looking good when you're not putting up points and that's what you're there for. He's not there to throw around the body or be a defensive specialist. If he's not putting up points, he's just kind of "there".

Hell, people are saying Gaudreau was the best player last game, yet I don't think he even had a shot on net all game.

I dont expect he will continue to be shut out, but if he does he won't last long before being sent down.

 

[GetThePuckOut]

A lot of top players go on 5 game scoreless streaks. He's not the only player to struggle coming out the gate.

MacKinnon only has one assist, Landeskog has no points... it's not a big deal at this point.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Didn't read my last line, or did you stop reading after the first sentence since no one can criticize him?

I've seen 4 of the Flames games this season since I'm a night Hawk, and yes he has "looked" good.

But what's the point of looking good when you're not putting up points and that's what you're there for. He's not there to throw around the body or be a defensive specialist. If he's not putting up points, he's just kind of "there".

Hell, people are saying Gaudreau was the best player last game, yet I don't think he even had a shot on net all game.

I dont expect he will continue to be shut out, but if he does he won't last long before being sent down.

Gaudreau has been playing 3rd line minutes with Joe Colbourne as his center. Shockingly, 10 mins of ice time with borderline NHLers isn't ideal for producing. The key is that he is creating chances. With top 6 minutes and linemates, he'd probably have 3-4 points by now.

It's clear that Hartley isn't asking for Gaudreau to be a significant offensive contributor at the moment. Once that changes, I'd bet so will his stat line.

They are bringing him along slowly. He's had good games and bad games, and he's been a bit snake bitten. Hopefully he gets some more opportunities to work in a top 6 role as the season progresses.

 

[CraigsList]

Once Johnny racks a couple of points, he'll get things going. In a way, he's been a streaky scorer, from the rookie tournament to the preseason and now in the NHL. He is definitely a bit snake bitten, but once he gets those few points to get him going, he'll be rolling along. I think he'll be a streak scorer throughout his career though, and the only way to get a PPG is by many multiple point games.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

]Gaudreau has been playing 3rd line minutes with Joe Colbourne as his center. Shockingly, 10 mins of ice time with borderline NHLers isn't ideal for producing[/B]. The key is that he is creating chances. With top 6 minutes and linemates, he'd probably have 3-4 points by now.

It's clear that Hartley isn't asking for Gaudreau to be a significant offensive contributor at the moment. Once that changes, I'd bet so will his stat line.

They are bringing him along slowly. He's had good games and bad games, and he's been a bit snake bitten. Hopefully he gets some more opportunities to work in a top 6 role as the season progresses.

Hmmm. And yet Joe Colborne is leading the Flames in points. Something doesn't add up here.

 

[CraigsList]

Hmmm. And yet Joe Colborne is leading the Flames in points. Something doesn't add up here.

Something doesn't add up? It's called Colborne gets more playing time than Johnny.

Johnny isn't used to only getting 13 minutes.

 

[GetThePuckOut]

Gaudreau has been playing 3rd line minutes with Joe Colbourne as his center. Shockingly, 10 mins of ice time with borderline NHLers isn't ideal for producing. The key is that he is creating chances. With top 6 minutes and linemates, he'd probably have 3-4 points by now.

It's clear that Hartley isn't asking for Gaudreau to be a significant offensive contributor at the moment. Once that changes, I'd bet so will his stat line.

They are bringing him along slowly. He's had good games and bad games, and he's been a bit snake bitten. Hopefully he gets some more opportunities to work in a top 6 role as the season progresses.

Colborne is no borderline NHL player. He's fast becoming a really solid player.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Something doesn't add up? It's called Colborne gets more playing time than Johnny.

The poster I responded to said that Gaudreau was playing on the third line with Colborne as his center and needed to play with actual NHL players.

 

[CraigsList]

The poster I responded to said that Gaudreau was playing on the third line with Colborne as his center and needed to play with actual NHL players.

To generate more scoring chances, yes. Colborne has 5 points because he is being given more time, with other players.

Seriously, it's only been 5 games. If some of you are expecting Johnny to be some super star in his rookie year on a rebuilding team with barely any offensive talent, then I don't know what to tell you. If you then ask "then why isn't Johnny not your offensive talent", it's because we don't have anybody scoring right now. It's pretty tough to get assists/goals with the teammates Johnny has right now.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Colborne is no borderline NHL player. He's fast becoming a really solid player.

Yea I was overly harsh, he has improved a lot over the past year, especially in the skating department.

 

[InfinityIggy]

Didn't read my last line, or did you stop reading after the first sentence since no one can criticize him?

I've seen 4 of the Flames games this season since I'm a night Hawk, and yes he has "looked" good.

But what's the point of looking good when you're not putting up points and that's what you're there for. He's not there to throw around the body or be a defensive specialist. If he's not putting up points, he's just kind of "there".

Hell, people are saying Gaudreau was the best player last game, yet I don't think he even had a shot on net all game.

I dont expect he will continue to be shut out, but if he does he won't last long before being sent down.

all you said was 'he looks good out there' that doesn't tell me dick all. Thanks for 'elaborating'.

 

[GetThePuckOut]

Yea I was overly harsh, he has improved a lot over the past year, especially in the skating department.

He's also put on like 20 lbs and has made big improvements in the face-off circle. And he's just more confident. He's a vastly improved player since coming to Calgary.

 

[Kanye]

It's not even worth it. Gaudreau is as big of bust as they come, he's one of the worst rookies in hockey history, and really.. what were we thinking he'd actually contribute? He's smaller than my niece.. he can never make any impact, ever.

Might as well lock up the thread, and we can all move on with our lives.

 

[nbwingsfan]

Gaudreau has been playing 3rd line minutes with Joe Colbourne as his center. Shockingly, 10 mins of ice time with borderline NHLers isn't ideal for producing. The key is that he is creating chances. With top 6 minutes and linemates, he'd probably have 3-4 points by now.

It's clear that Hartley isn't asking for Gaudreau to be a significant offensive contributor at the moment. Once that changes, I'd bet so will his stat line.

They are bringing him along slowly. He's had good games and bad games, and he's been a bit snake bitten. Hopefully he gets some more opportunities to work in a top 6 role as the season progresses.

Isn't Colbourne leading his team in points at the moment? That excuse doesn't hold up.

 

[Elias Pettersson]

It's awesome how flames fans are all like, "why are you guys expecting so much out of him!?" when they were the ones who hyped him up so much during the offseason with comments like, "i wouldn't be surprised if he runs away with the calder and scores 25g25a."

All your fault. I'm expecting more because of you guys.

 

[UsernameWasTaken]

Sounds like he's sitting tonight.

 

[Buttonwood]

It's awesome how flames fans are all like, "why are you guys expecting so much out of him!?" when they were the ones who hyped him up so much during the offseason with comments like, "i wouldn't be surprised if he runs away with the calder and scores 25g25a."

All your fault. I'm expecting more because of you guys.

Tis quite the burden.

Gaudreau was so hyped debated over the off-season because nobody really knew if he would sink or swim. Nobody (sane) insisted he was a slam dunk. If he were the discussion would have been much shorter for a 4th round pick. CGY fans were overly optimistic for sure, myself included, but a tough early stretch was always on the table, and 5 games does not make a career. The more important thing is he hasn't looked like a 13-year old girl out there (my main concern), which at this point is more important than a couple 'I-told-you-so-2nd assists.' He still has the talent, and hopefully once he adjusts and CGY stops getting outshot 4X10^7 to 15 he will produce. This isn't a game-changing center, this is an uber-skilled complementary piece and CGY is not a strong team at this point. He might be better off in the AHL if this keeps up for 15-20 games though.

If it keeps up for 2-3 years, we will all sit back in a few years, have a few laughs, and remember 2014 as the 'summer of Gaudreau.'

 

[CraigsList]

It's awesome how flames fans are all like, "why are you guys expecting so much out of him!?" when they were the ones who hyped him up so much during the offseason with comments like, "i wouldn't be surprised if he runs away with the calder and scores 25g25a."

All your fault. I'm expecting more because of you guys.

Pretty tough to score when the team mates around him aren't scoring. He could have easily had a couple of points by now if his teammates capitalized on his passing. And about the Calder, we said we wouldn't be surprised, not he will. One more thing, you're a big boy, make your own expectations for the kid rather than others. You know every fan base overrates their players.