Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post

Calgary4LIfe · 01-09-2015, 11:27 AM

I couldn't decide on a proper voting option really.

I don't see Monahan as a 'straight line player', though he can definitely play that game very effectively. Monahan seems to be the kind of player that can do it all. He plays very methodically out there - cerebral. He just doesn't do things at high-speed.

I really wanted Backlund to get a long look with Gaudreau and Hudler this year. We have all seen flashes of Backlund's offensive abilities. Now Monahan seemed more than capable of being the #1 center who did well against the other teams' top lines, I thought Backlund would get that shot as the #2 center with offensive wingers that fit his game. I can't think of another player except Byron that Backlund has been paired with in the past that I thought was a 'good fit'. Backlund I think needs to play with guys with speed and hockey IQ. Glencross does meet that, but he isn't much of a playmaker.

I thought Monahan would eventually be paired with a guy like Baertschi on his left - a player that has a similar pace to his game, but is both a playmaker and a shooter. I thought Colborne and Monahan were showing great chemistry, and thought Colborne would be a mainstay on his wing.

I do think that the future line of Gaudreau - Bennett - Poirier would make quite a bit of sense, as all these 3 players play at a very high tempo and all do things at high-speed. Would give the opposition a tough time in trying to contain them, especially with a guy like Brodie on the ice who is also an excellent skater.

I do expect Monahan to increase his goal rate, however. Hudler was great paired with him, and Monahan is definitely smart enough and skilled enough to play with Gaudreau. I don't think there will be any question in that area. Backlund paired with Glencross is definitely the best shutdown pairing that the Flames have to offer, and Colborne on the wing should enhance that in my opinion, as well as allow for a bit more scoring than Jones offered last year.

I think this line combination is the 'safe' play and solidifies the forward lines quite well defensively. I just can't help but think that Backlund would have been a better fit for Gaudreau's pace, and vice-versa.

01-09-2015, 11:27 AM	#26
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	I couldn't decide on a proper voting option really. I don't see Monahan as a 'straight line player', though he can definitely play that game very effectively. Monahan seems to be the kind of player that can do it all. He plays very methodically out there - cerebral. He just doesn't do things at high-speed. I really wanted Backlund to get a long look with Gaudreau and Hudler this year. We have all seen flashes of Backlund's offensive abilities. Now Monahan seemed more than capable of being the #1 center who did well against the other teams' top lines, I thought Backlund would get that shot as the #2 center with offensive wingers that fit his game. I can't think of another player except Byron that Backlund has been paired with in the past that I thought was a 'good fit'. Backlund I think needs to play with guys with speed and hockey IQ. Glencross does meet that, but he isn't much of a playmaker. I thought Monahan would eventually be paired with a guy like Baertschi on his left - a player that has a similar pace to his game, but is both a playmaker and a shooter. I thought Colborne and Monahan were showing great chemistry, and thought Colborne would be a mainstay on his wing. I do think that the future line of Gaudreau - Bennett - Poirier would make quite a bit of sense, as all these 3 players play at a very high tempo and all do things at high-speed. Would give the opposition a tough time in trying to contain them, especially with a guy like Brodie on the ice who is also an excellent skater. I do expect Monahan to increase his goal rate, however. Hudler was great paired with him, and Monahan is definitely smart enough and skilled enough to play with Gaudreau. I don't think there will be any question in that area. Backlund paired with Glencross is definitely the best shutdown pairing that the Flames have to offer, and Colborne on the wing should enhance that in my opinion, as well as allow for a bit more scoring than Jones offered last year. I think this line combination is the 'safe' play and solidifies the forward lines quite well defensively. I just can't help but think that Backlund would have been a better fit for Gaudreau's pace, and vice-versa.