Rob Kerr recently posted a summary of a discussion with QC Flames head coach Ryan McGill recently on his blog. Of interest were McGill's thoughts on the potential "NHL ready" guys, particularly considering the big clubs pressing need for cheap replacement players next year.
David Van Der Gulik is a guy who quietly made huge stride this year, according to his coach David is a guy that doesn’t do one thing really well but does a bunch of things very well.
I've championed VDG around these parts previously, based mainly on stats and third-hand accounts (as I've never really been able to see him play). Last year, the 24 year-old RW led the team in terms of plus/minus, while putting up respectable, if unspectacular, offensive numbers (16-27-43).
Stats-wise VDG didn't seem to take a step forward this season, although one has to consider the team around him was considerably worse than the 06-07 version: no Richie Regehr, Mark Giordano, Dustin Boyd, Eric Nystrom, Andrei Taratukhin or Curtis MceLhinney (for a portion of the season). Plus Daniel Ryder's thing. That's at least two top 2 defenders, 3 significant forwards and a number 1 goalie, gone without adequate replacement. It's hardly a wonder the team didn't make the play-offs.
McGill's comments made me take another look at VDG's numbers at the end of the year. He ended up 4th in terms of scoring with 42 points and tied for 3rd in goals with 19. He was also the only forward on the entire squad with a plus rating (+3) and one of only two players in the black by this measure (Palin, at +14, was the other). From what I can gather from shaky messageboard reports, VDG was the teams top penalty killer (also, team leader in SHG with 3) and frequently played against the tougher competition. If that's true, then the fact that he scored at a decent pace against a good level of competition, with only secondary PP time and away from the clubs other offensive threats (Stevenson and Kolanos) is encouraging. What that seems to suggest is, Gulik can drive a positive GD, even against tough competition and even though he doesn't score a lot himself. That's good.
The thing being, the kid's not exactly a kid anymore and the time is rapidly approaching for the Flames to fish or cut bait with VDG if he's to be anything more than AHL fodder. From the scraps of evidence I can find, David looks like the kind of player Nystrom was expected to be, but has thus far failed to (and likely never will) be. Hell, if Nystrom, Godard or Mark Smith can make the Flames, surely VDG can be afforded a shot this season.
Other guys mentioned in the article are: Matt Pelech and Adam Pardy ("close to NHL level") and team scoring leader Grant Stevenson. Conspicuously absent: Kris "I wish I was back in the BCHL" Chucko.
