Quote:
Originally Posted by calgarywinning
Just as a sidenote, I don't see the Toews comparison. While I am loving Monahan, I would have to say his strengths are:
a) hand eye co-ordination.
- can instantly strike a puck in anywhere at any height into the net.
- instant reaction and control
- able to strip players of the puck, intercept offence.
- FACEOFFS!
- can't believe how many of these things we have won this year. You forget what it's like and how important it is.
b) puck sense.
- seems to know where the puck is at all times and where to be.
- seems open all day long even when surrounded by defenders.
c) hockey iq
- able to identify open teammates
- able to deliver great passes that surprise teammates that can't receive
Things he needs to work on:
a) needs to work on skating and forecheck.
- skates to net which I love, but no need to skate there when you are the first offensemen in the zone. and defenders are playing behind the puck behind the net. Need to chase them.
- drifting around for position, doesn't use his size or speed to force turnovers.
b) I think this is marginal, but his line changes are kind of lazy. He could have been gassed.
c) Just okay when playing defence.
At the Devils game my one hope was for a goal or assist and he more than delivered. I am a fan big time.
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Having watched Toews when he first started, I can pretty confidently tell you that all the strengths you mentioned are the same things Toews excelled at. The only difference between the two out of EVERYTHING you list is that he doesn't use his size or speed the same way Toews did.
Toews wasn't the fastest skater, but he was a strong, smooth skater that went to the net constantly. I see a lot of that in Monahan.
I, personally, don't think they're going to end up being the same player, as of course no two players are alike. But the similarities are really there. Keep in mind that when Toews started he had played two years of college, Monahan is coming out fresh from the CHL. Similar ages, but slightly different paths.
If Monahan fits into a Toews like mold, it's a success. He is obviously not going to BE Toews, but he could very easily be a slightly more offensive and just slightly less defensive version of that mold.
You know, just as a side note.