How many goals does he have? How many would he score this season if he played regularly? Is that enough to play in the top 6?
- 1970vintage

Tough call for sure but he has been one of our best three-zone players in preseason if not THE best. Gonna be tough decision.

I don't know about Gaudette. If we want to mold him into a top six player, which I believe he has the skill-set to do so, playing top minutes in Utica would be far better for his development than the 10mins he'd get with the Nucks.
- Whiskey-Tango

Agree it's looking like a season in Utica is the way to go.

Agree it's looking like a season in Utica is the way to go.
- LordHumungous

Just to play devils advocate, where is the rule that playing top line minutes against inferior competition is better for this particular players development than playing fewer minutes against superior players. Not trying to compare him to Kesler, but 19 year old Kesler started off playing 3rd/4th line and PK minutes and he turned out pretty good.

How many goals does he have? How many would he score this season if he played regularly? Is that enough to play in the top 6?
- 1970vintage

None, none, no.

Just to play devils advocate, where is the rule that playing top line minutes against inferior competition is better for this particular players development than playing fewer minutes against superior players. Not trying to compare him to Kesler, but 19 year old Kesler started off playing 3rd/4th line and PK minutes and he turned out pretty good.
- 1970vintage

I agree

Bo started with sheltered minutes on the 4th line and then worked his way up each year - that was essential his path/development - don't see why others can't follow the same way.

I agree

Bo started with sheltered minutes on the 4th line and then worked his way up each year - that was essential his path/development - don't see why others can't follow the same way.
- Brooks_Light

Unless Pettersson actually shows he can produce at evens as a C, Beagle is your 3rd C option. Play Gaudette 10min a night at 5v5, give him some PK and ease him into second PP time.

I agree

Bo started with sheltered minutes on the 4th line and then worked his way up each year - that was essential his path/development - don't see why others can't follow the same way.
- Brooks_Light

It's pretty simple. Bo was ready for 4th line duties. Gaudette hasn't shown he is ready for 4th line duties.

Just to play devils advocate, where is the rule that playing top line minutes against inferior competition is better for this particular players development than playing fewer minutes against superior players. Not trying to compare him to Kesler, but 19 year old Kesler started off playing 3rd/4th line and PK minutes and he turned out pretty good.
- 1970vintage

Kesler played a full season in Manitoba before getting a shot on the 3/4 lines in Van. Just from what I've seen of Gaudette so far he may benefit in the same way.

Kesler played a full season in Manitoba before getting a shot on the 3/4 lines in Van. Just from what I've seen of Gaudette so far he may benefit in the same way.
- LordHumungous

FIGHT!!!

It's pretty simple. Bo was ready for 4th line duties. Gaudette hasn't shown he is ready for 4th line duties.
- manvanfan

Ya agree. Bo was on a different level at that time and was ready for the 'mans' game. Haven't really seen that from Gaudette so far. There will be plenty of injuries for Gaudette to come up and show his stuff.

FIGHT!!!
- Marwood

lol for some reason I'm just enjoying a full pot of coffee and not really into the hate thing today.

sorry.

lol

Kesler played a full season in Manitoba before getting a shot on the 3/4 lines in Van. Just from what I've seen of Gaudette so far he may benefit in the same way.
- LordHumungous

Kesler was also two years younger. Maybe he’s ready, maybe he’s not. Also, there is no guarantee that Gaudette ends up playing in the top 6 in Itica. The coaches there want to win just as much as NHL coaches do, and AHL vets often find themselves in prime offensive roles.

Ya agree. Bo was on a different level at that time and was ready for the 'mans' game. Haven't really seen that from Gaudette so far. There will be plenty of injuries for Gaudette to come up and show his stuff.
- LordHumungous

With more and more teams trying to develop players for longer, the AHL is better then it ever has been.

Kesler was also two years younger. Maybe he’s ready, maybe he’s not. Also, there is no guarantee that Gaudette ends up playing in the top 6 in Itica. The coaches there want to win just as much as NHL coaches do, and AHL vets often find themselves in prime offensive roles.
- 1970vintage

AHL coaches will play the best players. IF Gaudette ends up behind the AHL vets, then clearly he's not ready for the NHL.

My vote for Calder... Elias Pettersson

It's not every day that the NHL gets a 19 year old at this level. This kid is flat out magic and has been showing it all over the place in the pre-season...Some very Forsberg-esque comparisons are being drawn...and they are apt.

Eklund thinks EP for the Calder

lol for some reason I'm just enjoying a full pot of coffee and not really into the hate thing today.

sorry.

lol
- LordHumungous

My vote for Calder... Elias Pettersson

It's not every day that the NHL gets a 19 year old at this level. This kid is flat out magic and has been showing it all over the place in the pre-season...Some very Forsberg-esque comparisons are being drawn...and they are apt.

Eklund thinks EP for the Calder
- manvanfan

- RealityChecker

5 minutes of video highlights is all it takes.

AHL coaches will play the best players. IF Gaudette ends up behind the AHL vets, then clearly he's not ready for the NHL.
- manvanfan

That’s BS and you know it. NHL coaches don’t always play the “best players”. They will play the players they think give them the best chance to win. A guy with 300+ AHL games often ends up being a teams #1 C, even though he will never see a sniff of the NHL.

5 minutes of video highlights is all it takes.
- Marwood

eklund doesn't even watch that much.

(and yes, i know what you're referring to. )

5 minutes of video highlights is all it takes.
- Marwood

Trophy predictions while preseason is still going is absurd.

Trophy predictions while preseason is still going is absurd.
- Codes1087

Kind of like predictions of the Canucks 2020 season roster?

Trophy predictions while preseason is still going is absurd.
- Codes1087

Unless it’s the Presidents trophy, the only one that really matters.

lol for some reason I'm just enjoying a full pot of coffee and not really into the hate thing today.

sorry.

lol
- LordHumungous

Irish up that coffee and maybe you’ll get there lol

Kind of like predictions of the Canucks 2020 season roster?
- bloatedmosquito

Preach