C Frederik Gauthier (2013, 21st, TOR)

[Stats01]

I don't think anyone is going to be terrified of Gauthier unless he improves a lot. He's not even a "match-up terror" in the QMJHL, mostly against players that are younger and much smaller than him. Hard to see him terrorizing NHLers any time soon.

Not terrorizing as in physically. Terrorizing as in good luck trying to get the puck off him along the boards. I don't think you realize how good he is in that regard. He has very good hands for a guy that size, he keeps possession on a elite level.

Have you even watched him play? Or do you just look at stats?

 

[GTA]

Which is fine. Chances are pretty good we're taking Strome/Marner, we already have Kadri, plus if we're as bad as we think we're going to be we have a chance at Matthews next year. Our center depth is going to get pretty jammed up soon. Having a 6 ft 5 4th line center with his ability and match-up terrors for the other team is a perfect situation for both player and team. Good luck to anyone who has to go up against him on the 4th line center match-up. He has great possession and board skills.

Plus he also dominates at the dot. #1 guy at the WJHC.

I don't get the Gauthier hate. Not every single prospect or player is going to be that flashy first line winger or center. There are roles to fill and Gauthier fills that 3rd-4th line C spot quite nicely.

Spotted the guy who doesn't actually watch him. He was 25th this year in the Q in faceoff win %....is that dominant to you?

 

[Stats01]

Spotted the guy who doesn't actually watch him. He was 25th this year in the Q in faceoff win %....is that dominant to you?

I was referring to the WJHC. good try

 

[leafs in five]

I don't get the Gauthier hate. Not every single prospect or player is going to be that flashy first line winger or center. There are roles to fill and Gauthier fills that 3rd-4th line C spot quite nicely.

not every prospect meets their projected ceiling in the NHL, even if that ceiling is not 'first line' or top 6 player.

which is why it makes sense to take more shots at getting potentially higher end players, especially in the first round. a guy not having any star-level ability doesn't guarantee that he'll be a good plugger, and anyway those guys are easier to find in free agency than a guy with top 6 abilities.

which is to say the Gauthier hate stems from the fact that the Leafs spent a first round pick on a guy with limited upside.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

not every prospect meets their projected ceiling in the NHL, even if that ceiling is not 'first line' or top 6 player.

which is why it makes sense to take more shots at getting potentially higher end players, especially in the first round. a guy not having any star-level ability doesn't guarantee that he'll be a good plugger, and anyway those guys are easier to find in free agency than a guy with top 6 abilities.

which is to say the Gauthier hate stems from the fact that the Leafs spent a first round pick on a guy with limited upside.

Everyone forgets his upside wasn't seen as being THIS limited until after his post draft year when his production didn't improve. Most people are acting like he was a considered a reach at that spot on draft day and that it was considered a buffoon pick as soon as it happened, when it wasn't. He was seen as a two way guy with decent and developing offense, and then that side of his game just didn't develop anymore at all. If he wasn't a Leafs first rounder, no one would be talking about him because no one would care about an average, defensive-forward prospect. More people are talking about him and his season than about a guy like Virtanen who has had a similar lack of production improvement. I can only imagine what that thread would look like if the Leafs had managed to draft Virtanen.

 

[GTA]

I was referring to the WJHC. good try

Why would you talk about that and not the much, much larger sample size that shows a more accurate picture of his faceoff skills? It's almost like you discount the stat that goes against your agenda, and prop up stats that support you...good try?

 

[Bluejaysfan*]

Why would you talk about that and not the much, much larger sample size that shows a more accurate picture of his faceoff skills? It's almost like you discount the stat that goes against your agenda, and prop up stats that support you...good try?

Quality of competition in the WJC >>> Quality of competition in the Q

 

[leafs in five]

Everyone forgets his upside wasn't seen as being THIS limited until after his post draft year when his production didn't improve. Most people are acting like he was a considered a reach at that spot on draft day and that it was considered a buffoon pick as soon as it happened, when it wasn't. He was seen as a two way guy with decent and developing offense, and then that side of his game just didn't develop anymore at all. If he wasn't a Leafs first rounder, no one would be talking about him because no one would care about an average, defensive-forward prospect. More people are talking about him and his season than about a guy like Virtanen who has had a similar lack of production improvement. I can only imagine what that thread would look like if the Leafs had managed to draft Virtanen.

obviously everyone's memory of how events unfolded is different, especially when it comes to these here forums but i remember it being seen as a safe pick. a projectable frame and a guy who could kill penalties and win faceoffs and play as a 'shutdown' type centre which is kind of a relic of the Randy Carlyle in Anaheim days. and i don't think it's a coincidence that a GM who bent over backward to acquire Carlyle type players that summer picked a guy who seemed to project as a big, 'shutdown' centre.

like i don't think it's a coincidence that one of the only front office in the league that seemed willing, even eager to pay $3-4-5+ million/year for third/fourth line 'specialist' type players was willing to pick a guy who was you know great on faceoffs and great on the PK.

again maybe i am just remembering selectively. but at least i'll avoid saying 'i remember when all [team's] fans said this and what now?'

thanks for the reply

 

[HockeyGuruPitka]

Puck handling is his biggest weakness. I'm not sure if its because hes too tall or if his stick is to short, but he doesnt see the ice very well when he has the puck. Hes constantly looking down vs at the rest of the play. He needs to spend some time handling the puck with a blind fold on.
Hes good at seeing the ice when the puck isnt on his stick.
His goals are usualy junky, rebounds or tips. Hes a good 4th line player, anything more will be exceeding my expectations.

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

This is getting absolutely ridiculous! People are already writing the kid off before he even plays a game in the AHL. He is what 20 years old? I realize his offensive numbers have not shown any progression but that doesn't mean he can't be a useful player for us going forward. This team has lacked center depth for a long time. If you look at a team like LA with Kopitar, Carter, Stoll and Richards up the middle with a lot of size and skill up the middle. then I like the fact that we could have a 6'5 Defensive stud centerman that can kill penalties, shut down down top lines and dominate faceoffs and boardplay all while playing third or 4th on the depth chart I can be happy with that. I don't see him as a Steckel but more like a Gaustad.

I Get it there was more potential skill on the board where we picked but he was projected to go where we picked. I think the fact that he played an important role for team Canada against other country's most skilled players in the dying seconds should give fans optimism. A problem with our fans is that they want a rebuild and then give up patience on certain players after 2 years.

 

[nbwingsfan]

Quality of competition in the WJC >>> Quality of competition in the Q

What's your point? That he's average at faceoffs against even worse players? What's it going to look like when he gets to NHL competition?

 

[William Hylander]

This is getting absolutely ridiculous! People are already writing the kid off before he even plays a game in the AHL. He is what 20 years old? I realize his offensive numbers have not shown any progression but that doesn't mean he can't be a useful player for us going forward. This team has lacked center depth for a long time. If you look at a team like LA with Kopitar, Carter, Stoll and Richards up the middle with a lot of size and skill up the middle. then I like the fact that we could have a 6'5 Defensive stud centerman that can kill penalties, shut down down top lines and dominate faceoffs and boardplay all while playing third or 4th on the depth chart I can be happy with that. I don't see him as a Steckel but more like a Gaustad.

I Get it there was more potential skill on the board where we picked but he was projected to go where we picked. I think the fact that he played an important role for team Canada against other country's most skilled players in the dying seconds should give fans optimism. A problem with our fans is that they want a rebuild and then give up patience on certain players after 2 years.

It's because he isn't a good prospect. I would expect him to do much better as a 20 year old in a junior league. He has a teammate with 96 points, I would expect his teams scoring to rub off on him at least a little bit.

He has as much of a place in the NHL as Tyler Biggs, which is to say a very long shot to play a minute in the NHL. I don't see why Crosby would have even wasted a second to call this guy. Should have went to Harvard.

 

[joeyabs]

It's because he isn't a good prospect. I would expect him to do much better as a 20 year old in a junior league. He has a teammate with 96 points, I would expect his teams scoring to rub off on him at least a little bit.

He has as much of a place in the NHL as Tyler Biggs, which is to say a very long shot to play a minute in the NHL. I don't see why Crosby would have even wasted a second to call this guy. Should have went to Harvard.

Zzzzzing... wow that has to sting. He can't be that bad..can he?.., I'm sure goat fans will come to his defense.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

The thing I mostly wondered about him; was if he had it in him to be a winner, battler etc.

He comes across a little bit reserved.

IMO he has that 'Kulemin look' - (I use him in a lot in examples of certain players) The look that says, "I am here to do my job", that is it. But doesn't have the drive to step to the next level consistently enough. Similar in regards to a player we hope to reach potential - but something mentally is holding him back.

At the end of the day it is up to him if he wants to be an everyday NHLer. Heck even a 3rd liner - if he wants to put in the work, show that he is ready to improve. He will be given a shot - same said for Biggs.

 

[Whileee]

Not terrorizing as in physically. Terrorizing as in good luck trying to get the puck off him along the boards. I don't think you realize how good he is in that regard. He has very good hands for a guy that size, he keeps possession on a elite level.

Have you even watched him play? Or do you just look at stats?

Watched him play every game in the past couple of WJHCs (14 games). I also watched a couple of Q games. I didn't see him "terrorize" anyone at his age group, and most of that competition isn't going to make the NHL.

Puck possession along the boards against smaller and younger players doesn't translate as well as quick thinking, quick feet and good hands. Sorry, I haven't seen much evidence of those attributes in 16 games of watching him play.

How many games have you watched him and other prospects play?

 

[WildcatMapleLeafs28]

Last night

3 assists
+2
4 shots
1 hit
19/29 faceoffs

 

[Kamiccolo]

Last night

3 assists
+2
4 shots
1 hit
19/29 faceoffs

We need that consistently from him.

 

[Fogelhund]

Last night

3 assists
+2
4 shots
1 hit
19/29 faceoffs

Nice stats line... you are a big dude... hit some more people.

 

[hototogisu]

Nice stats line... you are a big dude... hit some more people.

I would get that complaint if the rest of his statline was zeroes across the board, but on a night where he had 3 assists and 4 shots? Sounds like he was too busy creating offense to hit people...most people would welcome that trade-off any day.

 

[Tripod]

Nice stats line... you are a big dude... hit some more people.

See this

I would get that complaint if the rest of his statline was zeroes across the board, but on a night where he had 3 assists and 4 shots? Sounds like he was too busy creating offense to hit people...most people would welcome that trade-off any day.

Plus...if you have the puck a bunch, you are not throwing hits. He had a great game. Give him his due credit folks.

 

[StuckOutHere]

I still believe in this guy. Wanted to Leafs to take him throughout his draft year and still think there is a chance he develops into a Jarret Stoll type player. He just dominates the boards and has some seriously elite pk ability. If you have him cycling and you have you some skill with him things will happen. If someone could just kidnap his pets or something and get him mad he would be ferocious.

 

[Bill Waters*]

His skating reminds me of Mario Lemieux [if he was skating today, at 49].

 

[Stats01]

What's your point? That he's average at faceoffs against even worse players? What's it going to look like when he gets to NHL competition?

What's your point exactly? Never seen so many damn desperate people jump at any chance to totally throw a kid under the bus before he even reaches minor pro.

But hey this is totally Leaf-esque. Par for the course...7 points in 4 playoff games so far...Yep total bust right

 

[WetcoastOrca]

His skating reminds me of Mario Lemieux [if he was skating today, at 49].

Either Lemieux or Beliveau. So smooth.

 

[cdasman04]

I don't really see Gauthier as an NHL prospect. At this point I will be more tha happy if he plays a minute in the NHL.

are you just reading a stat sheet when you say that or do you actually have any analysis behind your opinion? Too many people around here confuse hockeydb with how to project an NHL player. He wasn't drafted to score and we all should know that. Hunter said just last week on Leafs Lunch how happy they are with him. Now drafting a defensive forward in round 1 is a different debate, but tbh I have no problem with it at that point in the 1st. He's on track to do what we drafted him to do by all accounts.