Calgary Flames: Five best players through the first 15 games

6 of 6

CALGARY, AB – OCTOBER 29 2017: (Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images) /

One: Johnny Hockey

Was this any surprise? Johnny Gaudreau‘s season this year is a complete 180 from his start last season. Last season, everyone mentioned how Gaudreau had somewhat of an offseason, where he still had 61 points in 72 games. Currently, Gaudreau is tied for fifth in points with 19. He’s tied for third in assists with 13.

His 19 points in 15 games projects him at over a 100-point season (*knock on wood*). Gaudreau is currently on a five-game point streak and has points in nine of his last 10 games. It’s no secret that the Calgary Flames have had offensive struggles this season. Right now, they have 36 goals for. Which means that Gaudreau’s point percentage on the team’s goals is at 52.8% which is the highest by any player in the NHL. That’s not exactly a great team stat to have, but it looks great on Johnny! It means the team generates more than half their points with him contributing.

Via Calgary Flames:

"“I mean, that’s … Johnny,” reasoned Sean Monahan, as if the out-of-the-ordinary were the most normal, natural thing in the world. “We see it day-in and day-out. “He reads the game better than anybody I know. He sees the ice better than anybody I know. “That’s his hockey sense. Quick feet, quick hands. If you can get open in a quality spot, a quiet area, you’re going to get the puck.”"

Right now, Johnny has a CF% of 54.39% at even-strength which is the highest he’s ever had in full NHL seasons.

Johnny hasn’t quite been talked a lot about so far this season. Not like players like Nikita Kucherov or Steven Stamkos or Connor McDavid (who has fewer points than Gaudreau). But if he keeps this up, they’ll be forced to start talking about him.

And there you go! Our top five (plus honourable mention) Calgary Flames players through the first 15 games. What do you think this order should be?

Next: Flames bottom-six need to start producing

Let’s just hope I didn’t jinx anything here.

Home/Analysis