Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
I think that this 9 game stint has served its purpose - we know that he is a very smart hockey player and is going to be a tremendous NHLer.
But he is not going to be that this year.
And he and the Flames also know what he needs to work on.
I would like to see him have a more pressure-free development year in junior where he can develop his offensive game, a well as the things he needs to work on. Where he can play in all situations and grow his confidence.
Another benefit of sending him down is that it allows for more opportunities for the other centres in the organization to get NHL experience and for the organization to see what they've got with some of these guys.
Colborne, Horak, Knight, Reinhart and Granlund would all benefit from getting ice-time with the big club.
Backlund is looking solid. Monahan is good to go for next year.
Let's focus this year on finding out what else we've got
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For most of these first 6 games I have been on the keep him up side but after watching last time I am starting to lean to send him down. You are right, he now knows what to work on, what to improve. Give him the year to work on the details, bulk out a little more.
It was the clips of Sven covering defensivally that really got me thinking of the differences between the two. After only a taste of NHL action last year you can really see the differnce in Sean and Sven in how they react on this level. Sven really showed how much more ready he looks for the NHL and was rewarded in the third with a lot of ice time with Hudler and I think he made a good showing of himself.
With all of the centers you mentioned I dont think it hurts Monahan or the organization to give him the one more year and see what else in the cupboard can shine.