[BACKCHECK!!!]

Monahan has always been invisible when he isn't scoring goals.

He has a terrific nose for the net. But other than his goal totals, there's really nothing about his game that stands out as being particularly 'elite' yet.

Another player like this that comes to mind is Ryan Smyth. He put up multiple 30+ goal seasons as a well-rounded player with a nose for the net (insert nose joke here). But there was really nothing 'elite' about his game outside of his ability to bang in the puck from down low. And when he wasn't scoring, he often looked out of place as a 1st liner.

I don't think Monahan's play has dropped off much this season, the puck just isn't going in for him right now. He probably still finishes this season with 20 or more goals, and I'll lay money on him having multiple 30+ goal seasons in the future.

But goal scoring is fickle, and when he's not scoring I think Monahan looks more like a 2C than an elite #1 guy.

I make no claims about whether he's near his ceiling yet or not. Only time will tell.