Scoring goals is hard. Goaltenders are huge, defencemen are mean, and coaches can be stifling. I’ve long thought it’s the hardest thing to do in the game, so, I have quite the affinity for those who do it well.



Introducing today’s featured player, Johnny Gaudreau.



Of all the things mentioned in that opening line there, not one of them gives you incentive to hang on to the puck. If you hang on to it for too long you’ll likely get hit, and getting hit hurts. You can also give defenders a chance to come to you, which increases your chances of a turnover. And returning to the bench after a turnover often hurts as well, as some coaches are meaner than D-men. Most players in the game have it ingrained in them at a young age — when they get the puck, they’re to get rid of it as soon as possible.



This is not an accurate description of our guy Gaudreau, who is a poise-bot sent from the planet Patience. He is calm, he does not stress...