Quoting: PhatRas
Did he get 99 points??
I'm sure you've heard the saying :There are guys who score 20 goals a year (think Monahan) and guys who have scored 20 goals a year (remember Bouma or Colburne.) Gaudreau MAY score 99 points again (I will bet you a $1000 he doesn't) someday. But, barring an unlikely/improbable blockbuster that doesn't involve him, he won't do it again in CGY. In fact, I bet the Flames will be over the moon if he can come close to maintaining a point per game pace, which I also don't see happening without a drastic upgrade with his linemates. Don't misunderstand me, he is a really good player. It's not even 100% on him. He's limited by the potential, skillsets & playing style of his linemates. He's proven, repeatedly, he is not good enough to elevate his teammates, or even maintain his own level of play consistently when the games get more physical and time/space get taken away. There are about 10-15 players on the NHL who have the skills & IQ to help create space for him when the games get hard. None of those players play on CGY.
For what its worth, in my humble opinion, it is the same reason why Gio disappears in playoffs as well. The speed and intensity get ratcheted up vs regular season when teams pace themselves. and that 0.5 second completely takes away their ability to make plays with the same level of dependability or proficiency. They are regular season greats because they can make the most of every second and they can rely on the officiating to prevent taking too much of a physical toll. Playoffs are a different animal. To be completely honest it's my humble opinion this team is no where close to championship caliber so I say send Gaudreau to a team where he can slot in much like Kessel did in Pittsburgh, and Gio to a team where he can slot like McDonagh. Acquire prospects & draft picks to give the Flames an ability to do what they actually do well know, draft & develop to acquire a truly elite, gamebreaker like Hedman, Pietrangelo, Crosby/Malkin, Toews/Kane, McDavid, Eichel, etc. That is the only way they will ever be able to do so as teams don't trade players of that caliber often and they almost never hit FA at an age you don't cripple yourself cap wise to acquire.