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

[SabresSharks]

Gaudreau wins a puck battle vs. Vatanen and sets up Dennis Wideman:

Notice that he spins away from Vatanen immediately after dishing the puck. Wideman scored, of course, but Gaudreau was establishing position in open ice for a return pass.

What I admire most about his game is the way he decisively reacts as the play evolves. There's no watching or hesitation, just movement to the position he senses is best suited to the situation. From what I've seen, he's usually right, which is quite impressive for a rookie.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Notice that he spins away from Vatanen immediately after dishing the puck. Wideman scored, of course, but Gaudreau was establishing position in open ice for a return pass.

What I admire most about his game is the way he decisively reacts as the play evolves. There's no watching or hesitation, just movement to the position he senses is best suited to the situation. From what I've seen, he's usually right, which is quite impressive for a rookie.

Noticed the exact same thing. He did this earlier in the game where he moved the puck up the boards to the point man and immediately made a bee-line to the net. He anticipated the play just a split second before everyone else and was alone in front with the puck a moment later.

 

[Beesfan]

Notice that he spins away from Vatanen immediately after dishing the puck. Wideman scored, of course, but Gaudreau was establishing position in open ice for a return pass.

What I admire most about his game is the way he decisively reacts as the play evolves. There's no watching or hesitation, just movement to the position he senses is best suited to the situation. From what I've seen, he's usually right, which is quite impressive for a rookie.

He has an amazing way of always coming away with the puck. When pucks are lopped toward center ice and he is skating into the defense, he comes away with it. When its a footrace with the defenseman into the corner, he comes away with it. When the defenseman is trying to start the breakout and JG is challenging him, he comes away with it. Even if he never scored, this talent alone would make him a highly effective player.

 

[Steven]

He has an amazing way of always coming away with the puck. When pucks are lopped toward center ice and he is skating into the defense, he comes away with it. When its a footrace with the defenseman into the corner, he comes away with it. When the defenseman is trying to start the breakout and JG is challenging him, he comes away with it. Even if he never scored, this talent alone would make him a highly effective player.

Always noticed this as well. I mean, he doesn't always come away with it, but it seems more often than not, he does. Really reminds me of Datsyuk and the way he manages to win those 50/50 puck battles.

 

[Buttonwood]

Always noticed this as well. I mean, he doesn't always come away with it, but it seems more often than not, he does. Really reminds me of Datsyuk and the way he manages to win those 50/50 puck battles.

I actually think he is a smaller, winger version of Datsyuk. (I apologize to turning this into a circle**** of comparing him to awesome NHLers, but it is more stylistic than anything) A little less reach and strength, and on the wing he won't have quite the HOF impact, but he can still drive the play effectively and not have the defensively responsibility of a 1C. Uses edges, stick, leverage, body exceptionally. Super quick and a bit of a hockey savant. He will continue to be a little ninja defensively, the part of his game I am most happy to see translate at this level.

The points were always going to come as long as he could hold his own 5v5, and he has done that and then some.

 

[SabresSharks]

I actually think he is a smaller, winger version of Datsyuk. (I apologize to turning this into a circle**** of comparing him to awesome NHLers, but it is more stylistic than anything) A little less reach and strength, and on the wing he won't have quite the HOF impact, but he can still drive the play effectively and not have the defensively responsibility of a 1C. Uses edges, stick, leverage, body exceptionally. Super quick and a bit of a hockey savant. He will continue to be a little ninja defensively, the part of his game I am most happy to see translate at this level.

The points were always going to come as long as he could hold his own 5v5, and he has done that and then some.

Datsyuk? Sure, pal.

Induct Joany Hokey in the Hall of Fame right now! He's earned it. Kid's the best that ever was. Might as well retire. He's proven everything he needs to. Too good for this league anyway.

Just in case ...

 

[Mcnofool6110]

He's played extremely well in the NHL, far better than I thought he would. And it hurts.

He's going to be an excellent complementary player, a player that makes everyone around him better.

 

[Steven]

Datsyuk? Sure, pal.

Induct Joany Hokey in the Hall of Fame right now! He's earned it. Kid's the best that ever was. Might as well retire. He's proven everything he needs to. Too good for this league anyway.

Just in case ...

The comparison clearly flew right over your head. No one is saying Gaudreau is going to be Datsyuk. But try watching the kid play, his game is not unlike Datsyuk's.

 

[stevo61]

The comparison clearly flew right over your head. No one is saying Gaudreau is going to be Datsyuk. But try watching the kid play, his game is not unlike Datsyuk's.

read the last sentence of his post...

 

[Steven]

read the last sentence of his post...

He made a post making a bunch of outrageous claims, and then suggested that he was "just kidding", suggesting that comparing Gaudreau's game to Datyuk's would be absurd. Am I supposed to assume that he's "just kidding" about "just kidding"?...

 

[topched88]

Another look at that filthy shootout goal from last night:

hahaha wow didnt see this. That was pretty nasty. Will always pull for this kid, fun to watch.

 

[SabresSharks]

He made a post making a bunch of outrageous claims, and then suggested that he was "just kidding", suggesting that comparing Gaudreau's game to Datyuk's would be absurd. Am I supposed to assume that he's "just kidding" about "just kidding"?...

Was trying to parody the posters who mock a style comparison that way. Wasn't very clear I guess.

I agree that his ability to strip the puck on the backcheck is quite similar to Datsyuk's.

 

[Steven]

Was trying to parody the posters who mock a style comparison that way. Wasn't very clear I guess.

I agree that his ability to strip the puck on the backcheck is quite similar to Datsyuk's.

Well in that case I apologize for tearing a strip off ya. There's a lot of Gaudreau haters who dump on the kid no matter what he does.

 

[Buttonwood]

Was trying to parody the posters who mock a style comparison that way. Wasn't very clear I guess.

I agree that his ability to strip the puck on the backcheck is quite similar to Datsyuk's.

Don't worry I gotcha! The emoticon was helpful though.

There's alot of people who have contributed to JG threads that have never got past his height and weight and watched him play. If you know, you know.

 

[JFHockey]

He's played extremely well in the NHL, far better than I thought he would. And it hurts.

He's going to be an excellent complementary player, a player that makes everyone around him better.

I'm really starting to think that johnny is a key piece of the flames surge of youth. I think practicing and playing with a guy who thinks the game at such a high level is forcing rest of the youth to play smarter. It might also put a bit of a chip on everyone's shoulder to see a 21 year old midget impose his game during his first season in the bigs.

 

[SabresSharks]

Well in that case I apologize for tearing a strip off ya. There's a lot of Gaudreau haters who dump on the kid no matter what he does.

No offense was taken, but appreciate the apology anyway. Civilized behavior is too rarely seen on HFB. (Not to imply that I've always been pleasant on here.)

Back to JG ...

Last night he was mishandling his first touch on passes way more than any other games I've seen. Just "one of those games" or thinking too quickly about the next move?

 

[Steven]

No offense was taken, but appreciate the apology anyway. Civilized behavior is too rarely seen on HFB. (Not to imply that I've always been pleasant on here.)

Back to JG ...

Last night he was mishandling his first touch on passes way more than any other games I've seen. Just "one of those games" or thinking too quickly about the next move?

Well, it's been pointed out before that he could still be adjusting to the NHL schedule and pace. He's being asked to play a lot more games now than he has in the past few season at Boston College. He's had a couple real dominant games, and a handful of pretty solid ones as well. It seems like when he isn't even on his game, he's still picking up points, though that probably has to do with the offensive role Hartley has him in. I think it'll just take him a while to fully acclimate himself in the NHL, he is still a rookie after all. He's hardly had a chance to play against any of the teams/players he's been matching up against this season, and it'll take him a while to learn how to adjust his game in different game situations.

I'm confident he'll figure it out though. That's one of the things I love about this kid, he's so smart that he consistently finds a way to get things done, and I think it's a big reason for why he's been able to step right into the NHL and be effective without having to spend time in the minors working out the kinks in his game. We've seen flashes of what he can do, and even when he's not dangerous offensively, he still pulls his own weight defensively and is far from a liability on the ice. It'll be interesting to see how he adjusts as he starts getting matched up against stronger players. Hartley has somewhat sheltered him so far. Not a lot, but a bit. He's still finding his groove in the NHL.

 

[Bouma Fett*]

Yeah, I'm not against making JG a healthy scratch every 10 games or so here, just to give him a break, the jump from college to NHL is brutal, especially in terms of schedule. Give him the odd rest here and there, and let him come back in beast mode

 

[SabresSharks]

Well, it's been pointed out before that he could still be adjusting to the NHL schedule and pace. He's being asked to play a lot more games now than he has in the past few season at Boston College. He's had a couple real dominant games, and a handful of pretty solid ones as well. It seems like when he isn't even on his game, he's still picking up points, though that probably has to do with the offensive role Hartley has him in. I think it'll just take him a while to fully acclimate himself in the NHL, he is still a rookie after all. He's hardly had a chance to play against any of the teams/players he's been matching up against this season, and it'll take him a while to learn how to adjust his game in different game situations.

I'm confident he'll figure it out though. That's one of the things I love about this kid, he's so smart that he consistently finds a way to get things done, and I think it's a big reason for why he's been able to step right into the NHL and be effective without having to spend time in the minors working out the kinks in his game. We've seen flashes of what he can do, and even when he's not dangerous offensively, he still pulls his own weight defensively and is far from a liability on the ice. It'll be interesting to see how he adjusts as he starts getting matched up against stronger players. Hartley has somewhat sheltered him so far. Not a lot, but a bit. He's still finding his groove in the NHL.

His defensive game is what initially impressed me most about the kid. It was evident right away that he's very serious about that part of the game. On many opponents' rushes he's the first forward back in the d-zone. He instinctively moves to the point for a pinching d-man. You don't expect to see that from a rookie forward celebrated for offensive creativity.

I was a bit impatient with the way Hartley utilized him earlier in the season. Now I think he's done a masterful job. He insisted that Gaudreau prove himself defensively responsible before rewarding him with PP and OT minutes. Of course, that's a big reason why he's never been sent down; there are no apparent major defensive "kinks" to work on.

Yes, an NHL schedule must be punishing for a player coming from the NCAA, especially a significantly undersized one. That's another factor that's undoubtedly influencing Hartley's thinking about him.

Still looking forward to seeing him with Monahan. JG's vision and creativity teamed with Monahan's release and deadly accuracy should be a formidable combination. We'll then see how he performs against the top defensive units.

 

[CraigsList]

I've really been impressed with Gaudrea's defensive skill this year. Everyone notices the offense he brings to the table, but I bet a lot of people that aren't Flames' fans didn't realize how well Johnny plays a 200 ft game.

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

I actually think he is a smaller, winger version of Datsyuk. (I apologize to turning this into a circle**** of comparing him to awesome NHLers, but it is more stylistic than anything) A little less reach and strength, and on the wing he won't have quite the HOF impact, but he can still drive the play effectively and not have the defensively responsibility of a 1C. Uses edges, stick, leverage, body exceptionally. Super quick and a bit of a hockey savant. He will continue to be a little ninja defensively, the part of his game I am most happy to see translate at this level.

The points were always going to come as long as he could hold his own 5v5, and he has done that and then some.

I think the guy you're thinking of is Gustav Nyquist. Small guy, super fast, does his work by going around people rather than through them. Very high hockey sense. You might think they're not so similar because Nyquist scores so many goals, but he's more of a playmaker at heart.

 

[Buttonwood]

I think the guy you're thinking of is Gustav Nyquist. Small guy, super fast, does his work by going around people rather than through them. Very high hockey sense. You might think they're not so similar because Nyquist scores so many goals, but he's more of a playmaker at heart.

Interesting. Gaudreau was more productive in the NCAA at the same age, but Nyquist has some better tools IMO (shot, top end speed, height (lol)). Pretty good comparison, I just see a little more magician than athlete (Datsyuk) in Gaudreau's game, but honestly haven't really got a comprehensive feel for Nyqvist's game, so you might be right.

I guess when I 5'6 guy makes the NHL, he will possess a unique skillset, end of story. So player comparsions hit a wall pretty quickly...

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Gaudreau played almost 25 mins tonight (ot game) and ended up with the game tying assist in the last 5 secs against my pathetic Devils. By far the most dangerous Flame on the ice tonight.

 

[tfong]

Interesting. Gaudreau was more productive in the NCAA at the same age, but Nyquist has some better tools IMO (shot, top end speed, height (lol)). Pretty good comparison, I just see a little more magician than athlete (Datsyuk) in Gaudreau's game, but honestly haven't really got a comprehensive feel for Nyqvist's game, so you might be right.

I guess when I 5'6 guy makes the NHL, he will possess a unique skillset, end of story. So player comparsions hit a wall pretty quickly...

Having watched both guys tons now, id say Gus has the better physical tools but Johnny has a little better intelligence.

But i love how both Gus and Johnny are on teams i cheer for

 

[Beesfan]

Gaudreau played almost 25 mins tonight (ot game) and ended up with the game tying assist in the last 5 secs against my pathetic Devils. By far the most dangerous Flame on the ice tonight.

It's funny that people thought be would be a power play specialist. He led all Flames forwards in ice time last night, and I don't think it was the first time.