I would think a lot of 18 year old kids are too mentally fragile to handle the inevitable NHL slump, which is why you want to protect them from shattering their confidence long-term. With todays "special snowflake" generation, I assume that's only more pronounced.
But Monahan talks and acts like a 40 year old man. I have a feeling he's not some emo goth inside, and can handle some mental adversity. His demeanor is what reminds me of Joe Sakic the most.
The ice-time issues when Stajan/Cammalleri come back does concern me though. I don't ever want to see him in a 3rd-line role here. If the Flames know that there's a good chance that will be the case, they should send him down, and we can revisit the situation next year.
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