C Frederik Gauthier (2013, 21st, TOR)

[WilliamNylander]

Chicago and Pitsburg are not good teams because of their drafts from 2010-2014

It clearly says to look at the type of player they drafted as an example to show that the better teams like to draft skill

 

[ottawah]

He's not a goal scorer, but rather a defensive Center. This is not a player you evaluate by point totals and will most definitely make the NHL. He is elite at the defensive end of the ice.

For the CHL yes. And there are a good number of CHL players who are better defensively, they just currently do not take on that role because their offensive talents are required.

Look at every elite defensive player in the NHL, what is the one common denominator? Foot speed. Datsyuk, Bergeron, Toews, Kesler, Peca, Madden, Lehtinen.

It showed in the world junior. Gauthier looked great killing penalties in a box when he did not have to move. Outside of that he was a pylon. He was blown by in the neutral zone every time.


He does play smart, and he works really hard to overcome a few deficiencies then yes he can be an NHL player, but he has a long way to go.

 

[chunkylover53]

For the CHL yes. And there are a good number of CHL players who are better defensively, they just currently do not take on that role because their offensive talents are required.

Look at every elite defensive player in the NHL, what is the one common denominator? Foot speed. Datsyuk, Bergeron, Toews, Kesler, Peca, Madden, Lehtinen.

It showed in the world junior. Gauthier looked great killing penalties in a box when he did not have to move. Outside of that he was a pylon. He was blown by in the neutral zone every time.


He does play smart, and he works really hard to overcome a few deficiencies then yes he can be an NHL player, but he has a long way to go.

Yup, the thing is most elite defensive players in the NHL were/are good offensive guys as well (something something being talented/skill in general means you can do both o and d at high level).

 

[Lehkonen4Calder]

Future career ahler

 

[Aceboogie]

Future career ahler

Him versus Fucale in the 2019 Calder cup playoffs will be a great match

 

[Ho Borvat]

For the CHL yes. And there are a good number of CHL players who are better defensively, they just currently do not take on that role because their offensive talents are required.

Most people don't realize that even 3rd/4th liners usually produced well at the junior level.

Brad Richardson was a 40 goal scorer in junior and ate age 30 has yet to top 30 points in a season.

Most Canucks fans will agree that Brendan Gaunce (comparable player imo) doesn't really project as much more than an average bottom 6 center if he makes it.

 

[HarrisonFord]

Meh, he's been dealing with injuries since the beginning of training camp, and is just back in after a concussion. I'll wait until he's in the AHL before I make any sort of decisions on him

 

[HarrisonFord]

Most people don't realize that even 3rd/4th liners usually produced well at the junior level.

Brad Richardson was a 40 goal scorer in junior and ate age 30 has yet to top 30 points in a season.

Most Canucks fans will agree that Brendan Gaunce (comparable player imo) doesn't really project as much more than an average bottom 6 center if he makes it.

How many of those players were scorers, realized they weren't good enough to play a top 6 role in the NHL, and then adjusted their game so that they could play in the NHL.

Perfect example is David Bolland. He was a scoring player in junior, and he said he had to change his game to a shut down, checking guy to stay in the league. Gauthier isn't used in a primary scoring role

 

[Ho Borvat]

How many of those players were scorers, realized they weren't good enough to play a top 6 role in the NHL, and then adjusted their game so that they could play in the NHL.

Perfect example is David Bolland. He was a scoring player in junior, and he said he had to change his game to a shut down, checking guy to stay in the league. Gauthier isn't used in a primary scoring role

So, you're saying that Gauthier is Dave Bolland... minus any offensive upside?

 

[WetcoastOrca]

So, you're saying that Gauthier is Dave Bolland... minus any offensive upside?

He reminds me of Steckel.
Apart from his lack of offence though he'll have to really improve his skating if he hopes to make the NHL.

 

[Lehkonen4Calder]

Him versus Fucale in the 2019 Calder cup playoffs will be a great match

Sad that Leon Draisaitl and his team (oklahoma city barons) would get eliminated in the first round

 

[BJD]

It clearly says to look at the type of player they drafted as an example to show that the better teams like to draft skill

The obvious rebutal is that good teams can afford to take more home runs at players with more high end skill because their team's core is built around young talent already

 

[Quares27]

So, you're saying that Gauthier is Dave Bolland... minus any offensive upside?

Are you that slow that you completely missed the point?

Bolland is not a great defensive player. He was simply inserted into that type of role after being a scorer in junior because he wasn't good enough to be a scorer at the NHL level. Unlike Bolland, Gauthier is an elite defensive talent at the junior level and there is nothing to suggest he won't be the same at higher levels. He does not play in a scoring role in junior but rather a shutdown role, unlike someone like Bolland. And that defensive spot will be readily available at the professional level because a lot of the time it's filled with guys who aren't even actually great defensive players, like Bolland, or Richardson.

 

[Woll Smoth]

So, you're saying that Gauthier is Dave Bolland... minus any offensive upside?

No. He's the opposite. He's going to realize he's too slow to be an effective defensive player and will turn himself into a better Jason Allison

 

[Ho Borvat]

Are you that slow that you completely missed the point?

Bolland is not a great defensive player. He was simply inserted into that type of role after being a scorer in junior because he wasn't good enough to be a scorer at the NHL level. Unlike Bolland, Gauthier is an elite defensive talent at the junior level and there is nothing to suggest he won't be the same at higher levels. And that defensive spot will be readily available at the professional level because a lot of the time it's filled with guys who aren't even actually great defensive players, like Bolland, or like Richardson.

Can you provide me with an example of an elite defensive player in the NHL, with very limited offense who would be considered a key player to their team?

 

[BondraTime]

Can you provide me with an example of an elite defensive player in the NHL, with very limited offense who would be considered a key player to their team?

Bobby Holik, Sami Pahlson, Jere Lehtonen, John Madden

 

[Ho Borvat]

Bobby Holik, Sami Pahlson, Jere Lehtonen, John Madden

Maybe someone from the modern era?

We also had enforcers when these guys played, and it was believed that glass and out made you a "reliable" defender..

 

[Jyrki Lumme]

Sad that Leon Draisaitl and his team (oklahoma city barons) would get eliminated in the first round

Draisatl is an excellent player, Gauthier is an excellent defensive centre, Fucale is an awful goaltender.

 

[Jyrki Lumme]

Can you provide me with an example of an elite defensive player in the NHL, with very limited offense who would be considered a key player to their team?

I'd argue that your team had one in Manny Malhotra when you guys were Presidents' Trophy winners and cup contenders.

 

[Countryjunkie]

It's going to be funny pulling up this thread in a few years when Frederik Gauthier is shutting down other teams top lines with great success. I wonder how many trade proposals we'll see from other team's fans wanting Gauthier going back to their team in a deal. It's going to be good.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

It's going to be funny pulling up this thread in a few years when Frederik Gauthier is shutting down other teams top lines with great success. I wonder how many trade proposals we'll see from other team's fans wanting Gauthier going back to their team in a deal. It's going to be good.

Agreed. I can easily see him being one of the top shutdown guys in the AHL for a lot of years.

 

[TheCLAM]

No. He's the opposite. He's going to realize he's too slow to be an effective defensive player and will turn himself into a better Jason Allison

He moves well for a big man!

IMO high-end ceiling is Brian Boyle/Hanzal, low-end he's a Steckel type player

Next year will be a better gauge of if he can produce at the pro level. The thing is his numbers aren't standout, but I've seen time again where par junior numbers have correlated to the pro ranks. If he put's up like 10 points next season on the Marlies I'll get concerned.

I think it's very encouraging that Team Canada saw something in him that led them to a national selection. People just need to accept the fact that his ceiling is limited, however, he entirely has the potential to become a core role player for the Leafs.

 

[Booshami]

It's going to be funny pulling up this thread in a few years when Frederik Gauthier is shutting down other teams top lines with great success. I wonder how many trade proposals we'll see from other team's fans wanting Gauthier going back to their team in a deal. It's going to be good.

You done dreaming yet?

 

[smitty10]

Maybe someone from the modern era?

We also had enforcers when these guys played, and it was believed that glass and out made you a "reliable" defender..

Brandon Sutter (11th overall), Jordan Staal (2nd overall) Manny Malhotra (7th overall), Martin Hanzal (17th overall), Marcel Goc (20th overall), David Legwand (2nd overall) and Brian Boyle (26th overall) are all examples of first round picks with limited offensive upside that have became valuable pieces in the NHL.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

There's an unusually high amount of Canucks fans that have it out for this kid. Odd.