Calgary Flames Lean On Sophomore Johnny Gaudreau
When the Calgary Flames selected Johnny Gaudreau in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, few people knew just what kind of an ace the Calgary Flames had acquired.
After a rookie campaign that saw him reach an astonishing 64 points, an appearance at the NHL All Star game and third in voting for the Calder Trophy, Calgary Flames winger Johnny Gaudreau is shaping up to be one of the most explosive and dynamic forwards in the NHL.
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Through 46 games this year, Gaudreau has put up a point per game with 20 goals and 46 points in his sophomore year. In a league in which the ‘sophomore slump’ is a regular occurrence among young players, the speedy winger has defied the status quo and leads the line for the Calgary Flames.
In year two of this rebuild, the Calgary Flames have leaned heavily on the shifty forward from the moment he donned number 13. His soft hands and ability to read to play has made him such a valuable asset in the early stages of this rebuilding team.
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In the near future, Gaudreau will continue to be needed to come up with big plays while the other youngsters continue their development. Both he and third year center, Sean Monahan are in the same bracket of a young core that needs to step in order for the Calgary Flames to make some noise in the tight Pacific Division.
Gaudreau has been a special player for the Calgary Flames and I don’t see that changing any time soon. He’s the type of player that can be used in any situation and as he has demonstrated countless times; 3-on-3 overtime is his speciality.
Due to his recent showing, ‘Johnny Hockey’ has been relied upon to be the difference maker for the Calgary Flames and that has led to him to try to make the big play or doing too much by himself. He needs to simplify and rely on his teammates to be up on the play.
If Gaudreau can utilize his shiftiness with Monahan’s size in the slot, they have the potential to be a deadly duo in the latter part of this season, regardless of whether the Calgary Flames end up in the wild card hunt or not.
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Are the Calgary Flames relying too much on the young play-maker? Or is this the perfect way for Gaudreau to keep surging in his young career? Fire your thoughts in the comment section below.