JOHNNY ALL-STAR

What makes Johnny Gaudreau so special among his NHL peers?
His coach can sum it up in two words.

"His vision," answers Glen Gulutzan. "The guys he sees is what I see (that sets him apart). He's so dynamic but his vision, his ability to be patient and see late guys that we don't see from the bench. He's just got that gift to know where guys are on the ice."
Gaudreau was named to the Western Conference all-star squad Wednesday for the fourth straight year and will skate alongside the league's best in Tampa on Jan. 28.
His vision and playmaking ability was on full display in the team's most recent victory, a 3-2 decision over the Minnesota Wild in Saint Paul on Tuesday night.
He assisted on the goals of linemates Micheal Ferland and Sean Monahan in the first period and set up Dougie Hamilton's overtime game-winner as the Flames won their fourth straight game.
Those three helpers give him 36 on the year, good for fifth in the league, and his team-leading 49 points has ninth in the NHL.
"Certainly he's one of the most exciting players in the league," said Gulutzan. "His production speaks for itself. There's no question in my mind he's one of the top guys, for sure.
"When you have a player that is dangerous in this league every shift, you're a top player. There are only a few of those guys."

But his numbers only tell part of the story.
They don't speak to his competitive drive, his determination and will to help his team win and, most importantly of all, his improved defensive game.
Along with Ferland and Monahan, the club's top line has been matched up against other top lines this season in all areas of the ice.
Gulutzan challenged the trio to play more of a complete game and they have more than lived up to the expectations placed on them.
"I think since I put that whole line playing against other top lines, starting them in their D zone, giving them more defensive responsibilities, they've all kind of taken to it, including Johnny," said Gulutzan. "He's so competitive. He doesn't like to lose, he doesn't like to get scored on. Now that they've had the extra responsibility they are more dialled into that. Johnny wants to be a good two-way player. He's gotten better, in my tenure here, for sure in that area."
Perhaps the most welcome news for Flames fans - and a bad omen for the rest of the league - is that the 24-year-old's game is nowhere near peaking.
On pace for a career season that would eclipse his previous high-water mark of 78 points in 2015-16, Gulutzan said one area the phenom can still improve is his goal-scoring, which would make him an even more dangerous threat.
"I think he earns himself the best looks in the National Hockey League," said Gulutzan. "I think the next step for him is to keep working on his shooting, because of his ability to get such good looks, and if he shoots more and keeps working on his shot he'll score that much more. He'll always be able to create but I think he has the ability to score 30-plus goals. That's one area he still has room for growth."