Quote:
Originally Posted by HartAttack
The Flames need to learn how to win in high pressure situations, with both teams turned all the way up. Look at the total playoff GP on this team right now. Even if it's a short series, the Flames would be better off gaining that playoff experience now so they can see what its going to take to get to that 'championiship' level you're talking about.
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This is a very good point.
I'm thinking in particular about Gaudreau. Every time he's graduated to a higher level of hockey, the naysayers have confidently predicted he would fail. In the most recent case, it took him six whole games (five in the lineup and one in the pressbox) to figure out the NHL game and begin to contribute. There are two more gears in the NHL game that he hasn't experienced yet: the playoffs and the Stanley Cup finals. The finals are pretty solidly out of reach this year (and are never guaranteed), but I think it would do wonders for his development to have the experience of an NHL postseason series.
Of course, the same goes for Monahan and the other kids. I mention Gaudreau particularly because he is such a quick study, and seems to retain every lesson permanently. Four to seven postseason games this year, I believe, will make him an even more effective player next year. He's been to the show; now he needs to go to the dance.