Article: Why Hasn't Freddy Gaudreau Bounced Back Like Minnesota's Other Veterans?

[Luke Sims]

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[Citizen Strife]

I'm not sure what you're looking for out of a fourth line guy.  Gaudreau has been steady, getting open looks at nets, but more importantly, he had an instrumental poke check out of the defensive zone to stop any chance Tampa had during the late rush.  

Edit: I looked up last year to this year.  Last year (-23), this year (-1).  So uh...what is he not doing right?

Gaudreau looks miles better than last year, and the 4th line and PK will get offense here and there.  As long as he looks engaged and stops other teams from scoring, that's what you're paying him for.

Edited October 26 by Citizen Strife

[Pewterschmidt]

Fred is doing Fred things.  Bro is a career bubble nhl’r.  

[Burnt Toast]

1 hour ago, Citizen Strife said:

Gaudreau looks miles better than last year

Yes exactly this. He’s got some jump to his game. He’s looking motivated to give max effort and certainty worth his cap hit. Freddy G is baaaack. 

[Enforceror]

For the price tag I think we're getting our money's worth this year. Last year? Not so much...

[mnfaninnc]

I disagree with the money's worth comment, but this is not really Gaudreau's fault. I've said all along that he was given an extra $500k to be in the 3rd hole of a shootout. We've had 1 this season, and they put Boldy in the 3 spot, not Gaudreau. Likely, Gaudreau was in the 4th spot.

To me, this was an unforced error by Heinzy. I think he should have gone 3rd and had Boldy 4th. Gaudreau was money for a couple of years from that spot.

As for the other stuff and underlying numbers, I think they're important, but there still needs to be some productivity. I think he's looked better than Dino on the 3rd line, but I also think he's a leading candidate for the Prossbox once Hartzy is healthy.

Also, Johansson, to me, looks like he is showing more effort, finishing checks and shooting more. It appears as if he has responded to Heinzy's demands. I contend he has a short leash on him all season. As soon as we see Swedish Spritzer league cardio shifts, I think he's replaced...unless the injury bug has hit.

Edited October 27 by mnfaninnc

[Patrick]

At 2.1 Freddy can be invisible and it won't hurt too much. 5 years is a bit yikes though. Is he blocking a more productive player...?

[Skomonkey]

Freddie can’t finish and doesn’t like to forecheck. If you watch he does the loop trick. Only D who panic risk losing the puck. NoJo does much the same , though he has checked a couple times. He’s so fragile he doesn’t want to hit. 
 

I too think it’s a mistake not to use Freddie in the shootout. We sucked LY and failed on the one attempt this year. Boldy is largely a shooter but can stick handle well. He has not been good in these situations. Not his cup of tea. 
 

moose is a concern. Yes, he has a few hits, but outside this last game he hasn’t shown up. Only good thing is he hasn’t hurt us with his TOI. 
 

I fear with this group we will see what we have with Hartman, lists of missed games due to injury. 

[Need4speed99]

At 2.1 million a year for a 4th liners that is NOT getting your money's worth. The wild are doing what they have for the last 10+ years keep playing and paying underachieving vets and putting rookies with high upside on the 4thline.