Flames’ offensive engine earns fourth all-star nod
Gaudreau a no-doubt decision to play for Pacific Division at Tampa event
After four seasons with the Calgary Flames, the highlights are endless and the plays are plentiful.
But for Glen Gulutzan, in his second season coaching Johnny Gaudreau and watching him earn a fourth straight appearance to the NHL all-star classic, the Flames winger still has a way of making head-scratching moves on a nightly basis.
“I think he gets the best looks in the National Hockey League,” the Flames head coach said.
“He puts himself into position every game to create and shoot. Just the way he navigates himself on the ice and can handle the puck, it’s pretty amazing. For not a big guy, he can strip guys of pucks and get those kind of opportunities, too. It’s a combination of speed, agility and high hockey I.Q. that allows him to do it. He’s our engine for generating offence.”
In the last four games — four straight wins for the Flames — it’s certainly been that way as Gaudreau has eight assists, including three setups in Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime win over the Minnesota Wild. So Wednesday’s news was fitting. Parents Guy and Jane Gaudreau, book your tickets.
“It’s pretty special, just being around my family. I always fly them out to whatever city I’m in,” Gaudreau said. “I’m fortunate to be in some pretty cool cities and to have my family there and support me. You don’t get to see your family too much during the season, especially being in Calgary.
“To have them be part of the weekend is so cool.”
Gaudreau’s skill will be on display as he skates with the Pacific Division squad during NHL All-Star festivities Jan. 27-28 in Tampa.
And after cooling off for the month of December (two goals and seven assists in 14 games), it appears he’s heating up again, which comes at a good time.
His impact on the Flames is selfexplanatory as the undersized left winger has chipped in with 13 goals and 36 assists in 42 games this season to lead the team in scoring.
Gaudreau is sitting ninth in NHL scoring with 49 points, just three points behind Colorado Avalanche star Nathan McKinnon, who sits in second.
“He’s maybe the most exciting guy that I’ve watched,” Gulutzan said.
“Because you don’t know what’s going to happen when he’s out there. He’s so dynamic.”
And what sets Gaudreau apart is his unique tool-box, which is, seemingly, unlimited.
“His ability to create separation on his entries,” Gulutzan said. “He can pull up on you, he can go wide on you, he’s great in tight spaces. He can give bigger ‘D’ some trouble if he can create some separation. I know teams are preparing for him now.”
Also, after 274 NHL games, he’s become diversified.
“He’d always come with a little bit of delay,” Gulutzan said. “Now, he picks up a lot more pucks in tight into the battles. He’s more dangerous driving the rush, rather than just curling up and looking for late guys. It’s made him even more effective.”
From attempting to light his stick on fire in the all-star shootout competition in Columbus (2015) to the puck-control event in Music City (2016) to starring in 3-on-3 in Hockeywood in Los Angeles (2017), Gaudreau is headed to Tampa Bay and isn’t an unknown star anymore.
“It’s pretty special,” Gaudreau said. “Any time you get to represent your team at an all-star game, it’s pretty special. I’ve had help from a lot of my teammates who helped get me there the past few seasons. And help from the coaching staff and all of the other guys that help me get to those games.
“I’m pretty fortunate.”
He’s maybe the most exciting guy that I’ve watched. Because you don’t know what’s going to happen when he’s out there.