Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau just tore through the group stages of the 2018 IIHF World Championship with the United States. The dynamic Gaudreau racked up eight points in seven group games, with a goal and seven assists.
Perhaps that shouldn't come as such a surprise: Opposite Gaudreau on Team USA's top line is Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane, tied for the tournament lead with 17 points and leading his team with six goals.
While Gaudreau won't be able to bring Kane back with him to Calgary, he will be joined by USA coach Bill Peters, who will take up the same post for the Flames as Calgary's new bench boss.
"Hopefully he can come in there and we can build a winning culture over there and get this thing rolling," Gaudreau told NHLcom.
Johnny Gaudreau and Patrick Kane together are lethal #IIHFWorlds pic.twitter.com/rMyzu3mtKv
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) May 7, 2018
Calgary looked like a playoff team through the early portions of the 2017-18 season, but flamed out, especially when starting goaltender Mike Smith was injured in February, seeing Calgary slip from eighth in the West into 10th in his absence.
Gaudreau did his part though, leading the team with 84 points (a career-high), and the third straight season Gaudreau has paced the Flames in scoring.
But Calgary has qualified for the postseason in just one of those seasons, and in two of Gaudreau's career five in the NHL.
But now Gaudreau is hoping that, with a new head coach, the Flames can get back on track after a disappointing 11th-place finish in the West.
"I talked to [Scottt Darling] about him a little bit and talked to (Derek) Ryan about him a little bit," Gaudreau said. "Good things. I'm looking forward to getting the season going and getting to Calgary already. I know the season just ended a month ago or so, but I'm looking forward to getting out there and starting the season. I think we have a really good team there."