Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - [News] Article: Monahan and Gaudreau are the next elite NHL duo

Calgary4LIfe · 08-09-2015, 03:57 PM

It amazes me how some people can be down a bit on Monahan or think he isn't legit. I remember leading up to the draft, I waffled a lot on what the Flames should do and who they should pick. I wanted them to package up something huge for MacKinnon. I wanted them to trade up and take Barkov. I wanted Lindholm over Monahan, and maybe even Nichushkin.

Now there isn't a single player I would trade Monahan for. Sure, any of those players (and some others) may end up better, but there is absolutely nobody that has:

1) Done this well
AND
2) Shown steady improvement

Monahan just keeps getting better. There is no regression in this kid's game. He is a leader already, he is horribly underrated as a playmaker, not many kids score 30 goals in the NHL at his age, and he is AMAZING defensively. Seriously - for a 20 year old kid, he is simply AMAZING at both ends of the rink. He isn't a Selke candidate yet - and Backlund is still a much better defensive center at the moment - but Monahan has really closed that gap leaps and bounds over the course of a single season.

You challenge Monahan, he gets it done.

I just find it a bit perplexing that some people are trying to insinuate that Monahan isn't 'legit' yet. Get used to it - the Flames' #1 center has arrived, and now the watch begins in regards as to IF he keeps it or gets displaced by another potential star in Bennett. His 30 goals, tough minutes, and solid 2-way play says he is legitimate.

There is nothing wrong with stating that Monahan is the benefiting from playing with Hudler and Gaudreau. So what? I love Backlund, but I don't think Backlund gives you the same scoring as Monahan at that spot. Conversely, Gaudreau and Hudler are benefiting from Monahan's ability to find those open areas and get high-quality shots away quickly and accurately. This is called synergy. Elite lines have synergy. It isn't just about throwing 3 talented guys on one line, or Gretzky - Hull would have murdered the NHL together. It is about 3 guys who are able to play so effectively together. It takes quite high hockey IQ to have synergy as a trio. Usually you see it with 2 pieces with the third being easily replaceable, but not this trio.

08-09-2015, 03:57 PM	#53
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	It amazes me how some people can be down a bit on Monahan or think he isn't legit. I remember leading up to the draft, I waffled a lot on what the Flames should do and who they should pick. I wanted them to package up something huge for MacKinnon. I wanted them to trade up and take Barkov. I wanted Lindholm over Monahan, and maybe even Nichushkin. Now there isn't a single player I would trade Monahan for. Sure, any of those players (and some others) may end up better, but there is absolutely nobody that has: 1) Done this well AND 2) Shown steady improvement Monahan just keeps getting better. There is no regression in this kid's game. He is a leader already, he is horribly underrated as a playmaker, not many kids score 30 goals in the NHL at his age, and he is AMAZING defensively. Seriously - for a 20 year old kid, he is simply AMAZING at both ends of the rink. He isn't a Selke candidate yet - and Backlund is still a much better defensive center at the moment - but Monahan has really closed that gap leaps and bounds over the course of a single season. You challenge Monahan, he gets it done. I just find it a bit perplexing that some people are trying to insinuate that Monahan isn't 'legit' yet. Get used to it - the Flames' #1 center has arrived, and now the watch begins in regards as to IF he keeps it or gets displaced by another potential star in Bennett. His 30 goals, tough minutes, and solid 2-way play says he is legitimate. There is nothing wrong with stating that Monahan is the benefiting from playing with Hudler and Gaudreau. So what? I love Backlund, but I don't think Backlund gives you the same scoring as Monahan at that spot. Conversely, Gaudreau and Hudler are benefiting from Monahan's ability to find those open areas and get high-quality shots away quickly and accurately. This is called synergy. Elite lines have synergy. It isn't just about throwing 3 talented guys on one line, or Gretzky - Hull would have murdered the NHL together. It is about 3 guys who are able to play so effectively together. It takes quite high hockey IQ to have synergy as a trio. Usually you see it with 2 pieces with the third being easily replaceable, but not this trio.