It's awesome to see both baertschi and Monahan playing great and on the same line...stempniak has been the perfect fir for those two with his speed, forechecking and 2-way game. I love how that line is producing because of their forecheck.
I know it's early and there will be ups and downs as the season goes on but it's exciting to see the kids playing so well. Remember, this is only the beginning. We have poirier, klimchuk, gaudreau, jankowski, granlund, ferland, and more that are being developed. The best part about this flames rebuild is that it truly looks like we're going to get better every year as more and more kids battle it out for spots.
With the oilers, it always felt like Hall, Yakupov, and RNH were shoe-ins for NHL jobs right after being drafted. Can anyone name a single prospect they had to beat out of that spot. Monahan truly has to earn this spot as the 3rd line centre cause their are guys like Knight, Horak, and Reinhart who are ready to jump at the opportunity and have all impressed this organization. Next year... Left wing positions will have to be earned by guys like gaudreau, granlund, and klimchuk. Same with the right wing with guys like poirier, ferland, and (maybe) jankowski. It feels like a real meritocracy and that's how a winning team is built.
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