Quote:
Originally Posted by ricardodw
so hard to tell..... The Flames already had Brodie, Gio and Gaudreau in the system when Monahan was picked.
Monahan had an easier path to #1 C than any either Lindholm (Eric and Jordan Staal were stronger and harder to take ice time away than Backlund and Stajan) or even Drasaitl (RNH/Roy).
While playing this imaginary what if scenarios : What if Bennett would have joined the Flames before Monahan?
Even with Bennett's injury in his 18 year old season he would have been far ahead of Monahan when Monahan joined the team. If Bennett had his 18-18- 36 rookie year I would doubt that Monahan would have had his 34 pt rookie season with 16 minutes of ice time.
|
Gio, Brodie, and Gaudreau were not who they are today at the 2013 draft floor. Gio and Brodie would really start to show the hockey world they were a left top pair during Monahan's rookie season. Gaudreau was looking promising at the 2013 draft (rumors the Bruins wanted him and the 6th pick for Seguin).
Monahan was the symbol of the Flames rebuild like Hall was the symbol for the Oilers failed tankbuild. Monahan represented the first top 10 pick since Phaneuf 10 years earlier. He joined the team as a 18 year old and the team was expected to suck. No one thought they would be close to the playoffs and while they battled they finished 27th.
A big difference with Bennett was how quickly the expectations changed. Thanks to the 2015 run many (including myself) saw the Flames as a playoff team and expected a lot from Bennett immediately. He didn't get eased into the centre position like Monahan. He had to play the wing and try and compete in the top 6. Had he been brought into the same situation as Monahan and given great zone starts and matchups he probably gets over 40pts as a rookie and has a better year than Monahan.
When Monahan joined the team he had zero competition with the exception of Sven. Monahan got to be a stud youngster this organization had not seen since Phaneuf in 05-06. By the time Bennett was a rookie Monahan and Gaudreau were legit stud first liners and he was expected to be the same. I think he will get there but he is facing a tougher situation in my opinion. Higher expectations and higher stakes as the Flames want to win now