Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
That list shows that, aside from RNH, Stajan did well against the top guys who he faced a lot last year. He's about league average against Toews (a top 3 guy in the league) and above league average against Thornton and Sedin.
I suspect he was as good or better than Monahan has been against the same guys this year (of course Monahan hasn't faced Crosby, Tavares, Datsyuk at all).
But more than that, having two centres that play good defence makes Monahan's job easier and frees him up more. It makes Hartley's job easier as well, especially on the road.
|
_______Stajan(last,this)____Monahan(this)
Towes_______40%,N/A________60%
Thornton_____46.2,N/A________44.4
Sedin________63.6,0%________50
Hopkins______44.2,50_________50
Backstrom____57.7,45.5_______47.4
Again, stats can easily be manipulated, that is why I am not trying to just show one side of a picture. I just hope that if the Flames can keep up with their current pace, other teams will be trying to use their first lines to 'defend' Monahan and not the other way around. That said, I don't think we will see a great improvement in our faceoffs, or PK once Stajan draws into the lineup.