Calgary Flames: Johnny Gaudreau’s Slick Moves

Calgary Flames fans know they have a gem in Johnny Gaudreau and he’s showing no signs of that second-year slump.

His dazzling stick-handling skills were on full display Thursday night against the Flyers, weaving about and managing to generally confuse the opposing defensemen, as picked up by on the Calgary Flames’ Twitter account:

The tweet has seen over 300 likes and upwards of 150 re-tweets showing just how much Calgary Flames fans appreciate Johnny’s skill.

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The 2014 Hobey Baker Award winner and shockingly 4th round, 104th overall draft in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft defies his late pick, time and again when showing up on the play like this. Replicating his 64 point rookie season won’t be easy, but he certainly isn’t lacking the talent, is ‘Johnny Hockey’.

Now, it’s all well and good to show these type of skills but they need to be functional to the team goal of winning the game. On this occasion, Gaudreau managed to find a gap and slot the pass to his player. However, if this sort of ‘play’ results in the team surrendering the puck, it could be viewed as nothing more than a young guy show-boating.

Thus far, Johnny has managed to tow the line quite well and Calgary Flames fans love him for it. But that very same fan-base could quite easily turn on the youngster if these sort of plays start seeing the team get caught out.

At this point in a rather poor season, Johnny Gaudreau, along with Sam Bennett is one of very few bright spots. He has managed to continue to shine, launching strong offensive plays, reading puck movement impeccably and controlling it on a dime, as evidenced in here.

The biggest challenge for the Calgary Flames will be to continue allowing Johnny this level of freedom to create, and express himself on the ice. If they try to lessen these sorts of plays in favor of sensible movement, they could actually harm Gaudreau’s development. Again, a very fine line.

Right now, I have full faith in Bob Hartley to continue allowing for freedom on the ice – the Calgary Flames need the spark that Gaudreau, even at his young age, is so often able to create.

Next: Flames News: Hartley, Confidence & Injury Update

What do you think? Is he a show-boat or an incredibly talented player for the Calgary Flames? Or both? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.