Quote:
Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan
I agree with nearly everything you said, but I still choose Johnny 10 times out of 10. He's got . Monahan is an amazing player, but there are several comparable Monahan's in the league, and while it would be hard to replace his skill set, it isn't impossible. Hell, Bennett alone might make Monahan expendable at some point. Gaudreau's skills might only be comparable to Patrick Kane and Tyler Johnson, and if I'm being honest Johnson as a comparable is a stretch. Yes, Monahan does more things to help you win a game, but Gaudreau is pretty much irreplaceable.
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I agree with your post for the most part. But I will say that once upon a time the Flames did have an elite winner with that elite skill set that was incredibly hard to find and almost impossible to replace, in one Jarome Iginla. He could score, set up the plays, beat your ass in a fight and will the team to victory. But history shows us that building around a winger just doesn't work.
For that reason I'd tend to to lean towards Monahan if we had to choose only one. I know it's easy to say he's replaceable with Bennett in the pipeline. But the team's mediocre results over the last 20+ years (outside of '04) speaks volumes when you don't have a top line C. Gaudreau undeniably has the skill and flash. I don't doubt he's the 'better' player. But Monahan is easily the more important one.
Thankfully, we have 2 potential top line C's in the pipeline. A solid 1A/1B combo AND and a soon-to-be elite winger. So we'll hopefully never have to make that decision in our lifetimes
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