Gaudreau: AHL OR NHL in 2014-15???

[Hollywood]

The title says it all... We had a debate about this one yesterday with some friends. I wanted to know what you guys think about this. Is he up with the big club to start the season or not?

[MarmotKing]

He could start the season in the NHL, but I believe he will see time in the AHL. My guess is at least half a season in the NHL.

[STONE.]

I don't think he's got a spot guaranteed, so it depends on how he does at camp.
I wouldn't be surprised to see him bounce back and forth a bit this season.

[Eazy BZ]

5'7 and 155lbs….. I'm not sure where Gaudreau will end up, probably split time in the AHL and NHL but probably the majority in the AHL this year.

[Carcillo]

Whether it's the right choice or not, I think he has a guaranteed roster spot with the Flames already. He's their golden boy. He would need to play his way into AHL (=suck in NHL) if he's ever going to play a game in the minors.

[SeaDawg]

Whether it's the right choice or not, I think he has a guaranteed roster spot with the Flames already. He's their golden boy. He would need to play his way into AHL (=suck in NHL) if he's ever going to play a game in the minors.

I agree. I'd be shocked if he isn't a full-time NHLer this year.

[petegreg21]

I think he should start in the AHL and work up from there but he'll probably get his NHL job right out of camp.

[Magicstew]

Depending on camp, I think it is in his best interest to play some time in the AHL, earn his way onto the big roster.

[rataylor22]

Whether it's the right choice or not, I think he has a guaranteed roster spot with the Flames already. He's their golden boy. He would need to play his way into AHL (=suck in NHL) if he's ever going to play a game in the minors.

This

[27Blue]

Whether it's the right choice or not, I think he has a guaranteed roster spot with the Flames already. He's their golden boy. He would need to play his way into AHL (=suck in NHL) if he's ever going to play a game in the minors.

Like Sven?

[Zorro]

I know what I think should happen but I have a feeling management caters to their fans and brings Gaudreau up for full time duty!!

[Carcillo]

Like Sven?

I guess you can easily say Baertschi played his way into AHL so yeah, kind of like Sven. Bartschi was given opportunities right from the start of the season the past two seasons but didn't play good enough to hold onto to the roster spot. But he was given more chances than he really even deserved right from the start. I think Gaudreau though is even more highly thought of in the organisation than Sven was.

[HockeyHobo]

The new flames management have already stated that no player will be given a free ride to play on the big club and it will have to be earned, they also stated that they are in no hurry to to bring up any of the prospects and they feel time spent on the baby flames is time well spent. I think they would prefer him to go down to the AHL and dominate there before making the jump. Sure he may get 9 games at the beginning of the season but I don't think he sticks.
If you look over the roster their are probably only a couple of spots available and the Flames are pretty heavy on LW, so much so that some are going to have to move to RW, like Colborne last year. Is it better for him to play small sheltered minutes in Calgary or big minutes in Adirondack, I think I know which I would prefer, no reason to rush him.

[Axeman33]

Whether it's the right choice or not, I think he has a guaranteed roster spot with the Flames already. He's their golden boy. He would need to play his way into AHL (=suck in NHL) if he's ever going to play a game in the minors.

I agree here. You have to remember, he isn't jumping from the CHL ranks like a lot of prospects do. This kid is already 20 years old after playing (and dominating) 3 years in US College. I think he is a full time regular and I wont be surprised if he isn't in the running for the Calder at seasons end.

[theIceWookie]

I agree here. You have to remember, he isn't jumping from the CHL ranks like a lot of prospects do. This kid is already 20 years old after playing (and dominating) 3 years in US College. I think he is a full time regular and I wont be surprised if he isn't in the running for the Calder at seasons end.

He's also seen time against NHL players in the WC's this past year didn't look out of place (in fact his play was strong).

People keep mentioning size as a reason for his lack of success or in this case as a reason he won't be in the NHL next season. First of all, his listed height is now incorrect. He's closer to 5 foot 9 as of last seasons rookie camp (Flames staff mentioned this) and closer to 170. Still small but not as small as some keep pointing out.

Secondly, he's always been small. Doesn't matter whether or not that's against NHLers or NCAAers. He's always been the smallest guy on the ice. At a certain point, playing against bigger players starts to mean a lot less when you've been playing against guys that can manhandle you since you were 16 anyways. A 6 foot 3 NHLer is going to be able to destroy him as much as a 6 foot NCAAer will...if they can get their hands on him. His game has never been in a way that will allow that anyways so bigger and stronger players really don't mean much difference for him.

He's likely got a good shot at the NHL. He's made very jump in his career successfully and succeeded right away. It's a safe bet to say he makes the transition to the NHL smoothly.

That said, this is a new Flames management. He won't be gifted the spot. He'll have to earn it. Which I don't think will be an issue