C Frederik Gauthier (2013, 21st, TOR)

[McMatthews]

The last page of this thread has me feeling really good.

#thegoach

 

[McDrai]

I think a goat would have more puck skills than the goat. At least he is good defensively lol
I'm thinking he could be a bigger version of Boyd Gordon

 

[Commander Clueless]

If he goes to Columbus I bet he'll lose the respect of all you Canadians really fast

Gauthier has the respect of Canadians? With the way he was shat upon in the WJC threads I doubt that.


Gauthier is what he is - a very strong defensive forward with very little offensive skill. His realistic upside is probably a #3 centre at best. I expect he will soon be with the Leafs playing a shutdown role, most likely on the 4th line (at least to start).

He was a disappointing pick in the 1st round for me personally due to his limited offense (especially considering I wanted Mantha, who went right before him. Dang it Detroit). I feel this was another case of the Leafs drafting a "safe" pick for immediate need (a shutdown centre and penalty kill specialist, as well as size down the middle I suppose), rather than drafting for the future. Although, to be fair, we still need a good shutdown centre, so there you go.

That said, I'm not going to complain about having Freddy Gauthier as a prospect. Also, in my admittedly limited viewings of him, I don't get the "slow" criticism. I mean, he skates like a lumbering giant, but he gets around pretty well.

 

[McMatthews]

I think a goat would have more puck skills than the goat. At least he is good defensively lol
I'm thinking he could be a bigger version of Boyd Gordon

Awesome!

Who needs Emile Poirier, Andre Burakovsky or Jason Dickinson...

 

[Pi]

Freddie reminds me far too much of Jean Beliveau and he's French to boot so there's that connection too. I don't think he'll help us win like ~11 SC Cups but I think 4-5 is a safe approximate.

 

[Gritty]

Freddie reminds me far too much of Jean Beliveau and he's French to boot so there's that connection too. I don't think he'll help us win like ~11 SC Cups but I think 4-5 is a safe approximate.

I doubt it. More like 2-3 cups.

 

[McMatthews]

Freddie reminds me far too much of Jean Beliveau and he's French to boot so there's that connection too. I don't think he'll help us win like ~11 SC Cups but I think 4-5 is a safe approximate.

I wonder if the Habs will buy the Maple Leafs, just so they can have Gauthier play on their team.

 

[ottawah]

Also, in my admittedly limited viewings of him, I don't get the "slow" criticism. I mean, he skates like a lumbering giant, but he gets around pretty well.

It is the foot speed. Every NHL player is fast when they get going, its really how fast they get to speed.

I remember a handful of times in the WJC where Gauthier was guarding the nuetral zone and the attackers just went by him like he was not there. He just did not have the lateral foot speed to be any kind of impediment to the offensive teams progress when they were on the move.

Good positioining, reach and awareness makes him a great PK guy no doubt (due to limited movement required in the box), but his ability to defend outside of the PK will be weak unless he improves his foot speed.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Barb Underhill and a lot of AHL time will be needed just to get this guy to a 3C in the NHL, more then likely you have a great 4th line C in the NHL who can help your PK. Jay Mcclement comparison is good.

I don't get how this guy doesn't have a better shot, seems so weak and he's such a big guy.

 

[McMatthews]

Barb Underhill and a lot of AHL time will be needed just to get this guy to a 3C in the NHL, more then likely you have a great 4th line C in the NHL who can help your PK. Jay Mcclement comparison is good.

I don't get how this guy doesn't have a better shot, seems so weak and he's such a big guy.

Hands made of stone. A good wrist shot has little to do with size/strength.

 

[Whileee]

Gauthier has the respect of Canadians? With the way he was shat upon in the WJC threads I doubt that.


Gauthier is what he is - a very strong defensive forward with very little offensive skill. His realistic upside is probably a #3 centre at best. I expect he will soon be with the Leafs playing a shutdown role, most likely on the 4th line (at least to start).

He was a disappointing pick in the 1st round for me personally due to his limited offense (especially considering I wanted Mantha, who went right before him. Dang it Detroit). I feel this was another case of the Leafs drafting a "safe" pick for immediate need (a shutdown centre and penalty kill specialist, as well as size down the middle I suppose), rather than drafting for the future. Although, to be fair, we still need a good shutdown centre, so there you go.

That said, I'm not going to complain about having Freddy Gauthier as a prospect. Also, in my admittedly limited viewings of him, I don't get the "slow" criticism. I mean, he skates like a lumbering giant, but he gets around pretty well.

Adam Lowry (3rd round, 2011, Jets) might be an interesting comparable for Gauthier and his potential to be a big NHL 3rd line defensive center.

Lowry is 6'5" and has pretty good straight-line speed, but still needs to improve his quickness.

He has very high hockey IQ and is therefore a very strong defensive center. He's now on the Jets' PK from time-to-time as a rookie. Part of his effectiveness is that he has pretty good hands and makes very good decisions with the puck in all three zones. He has an excellent "stick" for breaking up plays and taking away the puck, to go with his physical game.

As a junior in his draft +2 year (same as this season for Gauthier), Lowry was named WHL player of the year, and led his own team in scoring by almost 30 points (45g 43a, 88p).

Lowry plays a much more physical game than Gauthier.

 

[ottawah]

Barb Underhill and a lot of AHL time will be needed just to get this guy to a 3C in the NHL, more then likely you have a great 4th line C in the NHL who can help your PK. Jay Mcclement comparison is good.

I don't get how this guy doesn't have a better shot, seems so weak and he's such a big guy.

If he gets the space to lean into it he actually has a good hard accurate shot.

 

[hototogisu]

Adam Lowry (3rd round, 2011, Jets) might be an interesting comparable for Gauthier and his potential to be a big NHL 3rd line defensive center.

Lowry is 6'5" and has pretty good straight-line speed, but still needs to improve his quickness.

He has very high hockey IQ and is therefore a very strong defensive center. He's now on the Jets' PK from time-to-time as a rookie. Part of his effectiveness is that he has pretty good hands and makes very good decisions with the puck in all three zones. He has an excellent "stick" for breaking up plays and taking away the puck, to go with his physical game.

As a junior in his draft +2 year (same as this season for Gauthier), Lowry was named WHL player of the year, and led his own team in scoring by almost 30 points (45g 43a, 88p).

Lowry plays a much more physical game than Gauthier.

If Gauthier was a 3rd round pick like Lowry was, I have a feeling people would be a lot more forgiving of his shortcomings.

(And if Gauthier wasn't a Leafs pick, in all honesty)

 

[WTFMAN99]

Hands made of stone. A good wrist shot has little to do with size/strength.

Then his technique must be awful.

 

[Ohashi_Jouzu*]

If Gauthier was a 3rd round pick like Lowry was, I have a feeling people would be a lot more forgiving of his shortcomings.

That's probably fair to say.

 

[Bob Cole]

He will make a dominant line with Biggs with who ever Toronto's ECHL affiliate is

 

[Grandrift145]

He will make a dominant line with Biggs with who ever Toronto's ECHL affiliate is

So you actually hope he doesn't make it?

I don't think he was the best pick at the spot, but I still think he makes it

picks 20-30 are 50/50 chance of making a impact at the NHL level anyways

 

[Ace88*]

So you actually hope he doesn't make it?

I don't think he was the best pick at the spot, but I still think he makes it

picks 20-30 are 50/50 chance of making a impact at the NHL level anyways

Much, much less than 50/50. Probably closer to 10/90.

 

[MrFunnyWobbl]

Much, much less than 50/50. Probably closer to 10/90.

10/90 seems harsh.

I could see 30/70. Although It wouldn't be hard to actually find the percentage.

 

[sharks9]

Much, much less than 50/50. Probably closer to 10/90.

Historically, the 21st overall pick has around a 22% chance of being an impact NHL player.

http://www2.tsn.ca/blogs/scott_cullen/?id=398986

 

[Ohashi_Jouzu*]

10/90 seems harsh.

I could see 30/70. Although It wouldn't be hard to actually find the percentage.

Between the two of you, you nailed down the range, though.

 

[bleuetbio]

with a 21st OV pick, you expect a shot for a top 6 forward and he isnt. He would be an average 3rd-4rd liner.

 

[officialmark*]

with a 21st OV pick, you expect a shot for a top 6 forward and he isnt. He would be an average 3rd-4rd liner.

I don't see him wanting to reveal all of his abilities in junior so that when he does make in to the NHL he will be able to take it by storm.

 

[wings5]

I don't see him wanting to reveal all of his abilities in junior so that when he does make in to the NHL he will be able to take it by storm.

lol what hidden abilities? Common, he's strictly a defensive player, 4th liner at best.

 

[RyanOhReally]

Will he be a 4th line centre next year for the Leafs? He may win a Memorial cup this season with Rimouski, and he was a stud shutdown, pk'er for Team Canada.

Right now I see the centres as:

Kadri
Holland
FA Signing (Santorelli type)
Gauthier

Depending on what we get for Bozak this season and who we get in the draft (McDavid, Marner, Strome), I see this being a solid centre core that will surprise people, but ultimately our defence will be what gets us a top 5 pick next year.