2017-18 Player Report Card: Johnny Gaudreau

Welcome to our annual Matchsticks and Gasoline Report Cards! We’ll be doing these all throughout the month of May, with one going up each week day. Make sure to vote in our poll with your grade for each player!

Johnny Gaudreau: Forward

80 GP, 24 G, 60 A, 84 PTS, 26 PIM, 1.19 CF%Rel

Our Individual Grades

MarkParkinson14: (A) Despite the cries of him being “too small,” “not physical enough” or that he turns the puck over too much, Johnny Gaudreau had his best season as a Calgary Flame. Gaudreau led the Flames in assists (60), points (84) and was second on the team in goals with 24. Did he turn the over, sure. But when you’re on the ice and almost EVERY offensive possession starts with the puck on your stick, you’re going to turn the puck over. I don’t know what else he has to do to please parts of this fan base, but as far as I’m concerned 2017-18 was another year from Johnny Gaudreau that is proving he’s one of the top young stars in the NHL.

MGMacGillivray: (A-) Johnny Gaudreau took a big step forward after a down year points-wise in 2016-17, upping his total to a career high 84 points from 61 the year before. He was the first Flame since 1992-93 to register 60 assists in a single season. For the majority of the season Gaudreau was in the Top 10, even Top 5 in league scoring before injuries and general bad luck hit the Flames late in the year. Very excited to watch him in the upcoming World Championships for Team USA. If the Flames find a first line winger that complements him and Sean Monahan this offseason, they could be set for a very long time. He’s a star. The only thing I’d like to see more from Gaudreau is him getting better at taking over games like some of the other stars do.

RenuSahota: (A+) For a fourth rounder in 2011 who is 18th overall in NHL points- 84 points in 2017-18 “Johnny Hockey” has certainly earned his name. The only player with a smaller stature than him in the Flames past would be #14 Theo Fleury. Johnny has finesse, skills, and I can’t wait to see his continued development, under contract until 2022. Plays through the slashes and the checks and always shows up to play.

HockeyGoalieEh: A+

MilhouseFirehouse: A

Our Final Grade: A