Why I wrote "safe" pick for Jiricek is he has played against pros already. Gauthier is more of a projection based on the fact his ability to transition effectively to center.
- Trox88

I guess the issue is…how can being “safe” with a high ceiling, potential top pairing d-man be looked at as a negative?
Makes no sense to me.

Saw a few scouting reports that give CG a floor of 3rd line center and ceiling of 1st line forward.
Even if he tops out in the middle and is a pretty good 2C it is a good pick.
To be honest no one knows yet.
It’s up to the flyers to prove they can develop talent.
So far in recent history that’s a sore spot.
Oh and please keep the current training staff away from this kid.
- bird_dog_pa

By all accounts CG should BE the training staff. They say he is a gym and fitness monster.


https://theathletic.com/3...utter-gauthier-nhl-draft/

Gauthier put on a show in early June at this year’s draft combine in Buffalo, finishing near the top of the field in several tests of athleticism. He beat out all 85 participants in the Wingate ergometer bike test, which is a 30-second all-out sprint on a stationary bike that simulates a shift for a skater. Gauthier’s 18.3 watts of output per kilogram of body weight was the best in class.

“He’s always been kind of off the charts,” said Nick Fohr, who coached Gauthier for the last two seasons in the U.S. National Team Development Program. “We’ve had two guys with that birth year (2004) that were head and shoulders above the other guys as far as strength and power went. Cutter was one of them, and the other was Charlie Stramel (who projects as a first-round pick in the 2023 draft class). They were on a different stratosphere than the other guys when it came to pure power.”

Gauthier finished fourth at the combine in the standing long jump drill, eighth in the pro-agility shuttle run, ninth in pull-ups and eighth in the force-plate vertical jump.

“He’s a prototypical pro,” Fohr said. “He’s big, strong, fast, and can shoot a puck. When you think of that prototypical power forward type of hockey player, Cutter Gauthier has all of those physical attributes to him that scream that he’s going to be a pro hockey player.”

Gauthier’s strength doesn’t just help him battle for pucks in the corners. It also translates to a powerful skating stride.

“There’s a lot of power there,” Fohr said. “With the mechanics of how he skates, it correlates into being a fast skater. He can really go. His quickness isn’t bad, but his overall top speed is really good. He gets that head of steam going and it’s impressive to see a kid that size move that quickly. It’s hard to defend.”

They need spend money to get to the cap floor. So I do not think the Kassian trade closes that door. I am also not interested in sending additional assets to get someone to take JVR. Just buy him out if that is the case.
- mickel25

Why buy him out. Keep him and try and move him at the deadline.

I guess the issue is…how can being “safe” with a high ceiling, potential top pairing d-man be looked at as a negative?
Makes no sense to me.
- NC Flyers Fan

Why when I use the word "safe" be used as a negative? I used "safe" in reference that it would have been easier for Fletcher to take Jiricek for all the reasons you listed. Gauthier is so much more a projection with his skating and shooting ability to transitioning to center at BC.

Why when I use the word "safe" be used as a negative? I used "safe" in reference that it would have been easier for Fletcher to take Jiricek for all the reasons you listed. Gauthier is so much more a projection with his skating and shooting ability to transitioning to center at BC.
- Trox88

The point seems to be that folks think positively about the pick because it appears more risky. My question is why is risky better? If the ceiling is the same just for a different position player, why is this a factor of opinion?

To me, it would only make sense if Jiricek had a lower potential ceiling. That isn’t the case here.

You absolutely don't buy him out. You wait until the deadline and get SOMETHING for him. If not, you ride it out for the last year and be done with him.
- MBFlyerfan

I agree 100%. However, if they are hell bent on getting rid of him I would rather the buyout than the trade with additional assets.

If they are signing Gaudreau they need to move someone.

I guess the issue is…how can being “safe” with a high ceiling, potential top pairing d-man be looked at as a negative?
Makes no sense to me.
- NC Flyers Fan

His ceiling is high just based on his physical package and tools, but the probability of him hitting that ceiling is remote. He'd have to overcome a few fundamental things to become #1C.

He's very likely gonna top out as a middle-six winger or a checking center. That's where the bell curve is centered. Think Andrew Ladd, Scott Hartnell, Charlie Coyle.

Also have to remember that power forward picks have a habit of turning up 4th line grinders. See: Taylor Pyatt, Michael Dal Colle, Raffi Torres, etc

"Every draft pick the Blackhawks made from 2011-2019 has been traded. All before their 25th birthday. Most before their 23rd. The last three before their 22nd."
Mark Lazerus.

His ceiling is high just based on his physical package and tools, but the probability of him hitting that ceiling is remote. He'd have to overcome a few fundamental things to become #1C.

He's very likely gonna top out as a middle-six winger or a checking center. That's where the bell curve is centered. Think Andrew Ladd, Scott Hartnell, Charlie Coyle.

Also have to remember that power forward picks have a habit of turning up 4th line grinders. See: Taylor Pyatt, Michael Dal Colle, Raffi Torres, etc
- Tomahawk

I will hope for the best. Seems #1LW might be the ceiling.

Still, no reasonable argument that Gauthier as a “big swing” is better than Jiricek as a “safe pick.” The Flyers passed on a top RHD. They got a chance at a power forward. That’s it.

I will hope for the best. Seems #1LW might be the ceiling.

Still, no reasonable argument that Gauthier as a “big swing” is better than Jiricek as a “safe pick.” The Flyers passed on a top RHD. They got a chance at a power forward. That’s it.
- NC Flyers Fan

Yeah, the only real "safe" pick was Wright.

The rest of the draft class could really swing wildly from pre-draft projections.