Who better to talk to about Gaudreau’s landmark than assistant GM Flames, who openly discussed the playoff tips he shared with Gaudreau and why he thinks the franchise’s face is better positioned for spring success this time around. . In a wide-ranging discussion on The Eric Francis Show, Conroy stated his Selke case for Elias Lindholm, identified what surprised him most about the team, suggested how Matt Coronato should fit in as an NHLer, and insisted that nothing about the current team is not reminiscent of the 2004 team in which he starred.
He also shared one of Daryl Sutter’s favorite stories, which included a loaded offer from the coach to get one or two autographs from the opponent. Sportsnet: Can you talk about the importance of Johnny Gaudreau overshadowing the 100 point point? Craig Conroy: It’s not just a number. It’s like when we say, “It doesn’t matter when we play our old team.” Let’s be honest, we want to beat them more than any other team. This is what we have to say as players. To get 100 points, wow. It’s amazing. We talked when he was 99 (in 2018-19), how special it would be to get 100. Even when Jarome (Iginla) was leading the league in scoring (he never reached 100). Obviously, the game has changed and the score has gone up again since then, but for me, that’s a special, special number. Why is Gaudreau in a better position to succeed in the playoffs than he was, say, two or three years ago? I think when I was in St. Louis, I was told, ‘Brett Hull can never win.’ Well, you know what, that’s not true. The way I see it now is that everyone wants Johnny to do it. It’s so hard to win the playoffs and put so much pressure on a player. I think the game changes a bit in these playoffs. Many times Monny (accompanied by Sean Monahan) was injured. He had different teammates and took the hard matches. And you should take some breaks early in these series. It is so difficult to score in the playoffs that everyone wants to continue at this pace. Create opportunities and play games. It does not accept so many calls. After the last one I talked to him about it and I said, “Hi, the last game you played, the way you drove in the middle and it didn’t shake your hand, so you should play because they” We are not going to name these little ones penalties they make in the regular season. And by doing this he shows the referee going up. So you just have to play your game. “ Definitely with Daryl this situation will help. This is what we always thought Daryl would do. I had to experience it first hand and see what he does, how he handles things and what he expects from everyone. I think the line he is on is built for the playoffs. I’ve seen Matthew Tkachuk win a Memorial Cup. I’ve seen Johnny win a Frozen Four, a national championship, in world juniors. All these things these kids have won. I think we’re a little tough because we say, ‘They did not win the Stanley Cup.’ Well, they have won many other things.
Does this team remind you in some way of the 2004 Cup final team? No. The ’04 team had blood and guts and “will make it through with Jarome and Kipper”, two stars. The rest of us knew, because Daryl told us, “we don’t have enough ability. We have to win 1-0.” This means that Kipper and Jarome are doing their job and the other kids are having a hard time playing against. I thought we were a little better than Daryl could tell us, but that was his mentality. But with this team I see him scoring everywhere. I know the kids may not have scored on the clip we would have liked recently, but I’m not even worried. I prefer to cool down a bit now and then warm up in the playoffs. Given where this team was last fall and where they are now, what has surprised you most about this group? How well the top line has played. Our third couple was amazing. Really amazing. I do not give enough praise to (Noah) Hanifin and (Rasmus) Anderson. Our entire d-core, as a unit, was excellent. You hope that’s how it would go. Did I see it go that way? No. Wait to watch the games to see how it works, but I can not say good enough things about what this team has done.
This can be even more amazing than the first line. Mangy (Andrew Mangiapane) already having 31 goals is amazing. Then the other children come in. The leadership of the Lewises and Colemans, who have won in the past and are just doing their jobs, is bringing it to the table. What Daryl is doing is what we brought Daryl for, to win games and to be able to get to the playoffs and move on. This was a team we believed in, and with all his experience, I know he said he did not think about coming, but I do not think Daryl gets a job unless he thinks a team can go where he can face for a Stanley Cup at some point. State the case for Elias Lindholm to win Selke this year as the NHL’s best defensive striker? He does what I want defensively. The way he kills penalties, the faces, his little attention to detail and the way he supports his defense. The plus-minus only… (+53). When (Michael) Buckloud went to Selke that year (2018-19) and faced (Patrice) Bergeron, Bergeron was better. It just was. I want to be honest, even though Bucks had an incredible year. This year I really think he is the best defensive striker out there. I know it’s a little difficult, I’m been out east for a few games and our games start at 10:30 pm, 11am, so you can see why maybe people don’t see it. But if they just watch it, I do not think it’s close this year, to be completely honest. You’ve seen many of the Flames pick first-round pick Matthew Coronato while playing as a freshman at Harvard this year. Where does he stand as an NHLer? I see the top-6 to start. You never want to put pressure on kids where you have to be the front line guy. Time will tell, but his vision, the way he plays away from the bench, the way he does simple things like Johnny, one step ahead, that I like to see. He played wing this year. I personally loved him at the center last year, but whether he will be center or extreme we will see where he will be next year. I like the center because it sees the ice very well, it steals bolts, it is strong on elves. His little attention to detail plays out what he can do, the way I watch Lindholm away from the elf and when he picks up the elf. Wherever he is, he will be a forward of the first six, power play, penalty. He is just a very good player who can play anywhere. Do I understand that Sutter gave you a unique opportunity in 2004 to get autographs of anyone you wanted at the Red Wings that spring? We won the first game of that series in overtime and it gave us a little confidence.
They have pretty much a power play in the Hall of Fame and in Game 2 rolling, and it was a defeat. We enter the locker room and Daryl is upset. He said, “Okay, let’s get this out of the way guys. Brett Hull, Nick Lindstrμm, Brendan Sanahan, Steve Ezerman … I’ll get you autographs now, because you’re like the Detroit Red Wings. It’s the greatest thing ever.”
He was sarcastic, and out of nowhere, says Rhett Warrener, “well, if you get autographs, I’ll get a Nick Lidstrom jersey.” We all tried not to laugh, but the way he said it and the timing was classic. Daryl said a few last words and left, and we all burst out laughing. Given the beating we did, it really set the mood.