All this #1 centre talk - definitions are so contested.
Would you put Monahan in the top 30 in his position league wide - I would say yes.
Is he elite/top 5 - no.
Does he need to be elite/top 5 for the Flames to have a good player to build around - no
I see Monahan long term as a guy who gets 25-30 goals, 55-70 points, plays the tough matchups on a winning team. He is almost there already. That for me is a #1 centre.
What he is not is an elite/HOF player - I think we were spoiled with Iginla in that regard, as not every team will get a guy like that. The Flames best chance for a guy like that is Gaudreau - he is the straw that stirs the drink, the one who elevates teammates. Not taking anything away from Monahan, and by saying this, that does not mean there is no love for him. Different types of players, and both types are needed for a great team
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