Flyers fan coming in peace. Anyone have a full accounting of Drysdale’s injury history?
This Flyers fan has been high on Gauthier. He’s likely going to be a very good player. He already shoots the puck better than almost anyone in the NHL. He will score from distance regularly, and he shoots a lot. He isn’t always noticeable on the ice — he‘s not the kind of player who will carry the puck up ice noticeably, and he doesn’t ever hold the puck very long. But he makes plays with authority. The zip he puts on passes and shots hides his release in a way that creates confusion for goalies and defenders.
He was a bit of a contentious prospect on the Flyers forum because there are obvious flaws in his game. His vision isn’t outstanding and his bias to shoot sometimes can be frustrating. He’s not the type to control a game with possession, which made some fans doubtful of his future at center. But I never found that particularly concerning because you don’t get his strengths without those flaws. He wouldn’t be the first goal scorer to have those “flaws”.
My player comp was always Jeff Carter. Some fans found that comp too rosy. We were hoping that he would be a cornerstone piece of the offense, even if there were doubts that he could be such a player. He will be in a better situation in Anaheim because you don’t need that of him. His upside outcome is probably a 40g, 40a type of player, but a 30g, 30a type is probably the base case.
Overall, you all got good value. Players like Gauthier seem rarer than highly skilled puck movers these days.
