First off, Monahan is well on his way to becoming an elite center, current disappointing play aside. Bennett has elite potential as well.
With that being said, I offer that often some centers aren't considered 'elite' until they actually won the cup. Not all centers, but some. Take for instance Boston. Neither Kreijc nor Bergeron were considered elite. I would read that they were both 'very good #2 centers', or that 'Bergeron is a glorified 3rd line shut-down center' at times. Boston won the cup. Now they are considered elite.
That is not to say that some didn't think one (or both) were elite before this happened, but that was not the general consensus.
As Monahan for Mayor stated - depth is more crucial.
Why has Pittsburgh only won 2 cups (and JUST won their 2nd cup) even though Crosby and Malkin have been there for 10 years? There isn't a better 1-2 punch of elite centers in the NHL. They just had abysmal depth (or a goalie that underachieved, a defence that underachieved, less than stellar wingers, etc).
Flames do have some serious center depth with Monahan, Bennett and Backlund. Add in Stajan that at this point has to be one of the better 4th line centers in the league (and playing better this year than in the last year or two), plus Jankowski who has looked good thus far as a pro - that SHOULD be enough to contend for a cup from a center perspective - assuming of course that Monahan, Bennett and Jankowski all continue to improve, which given their ages, should happen.
Monahan is just going through a rough patch - lack of training camp + new coach and systems (affects centers more than wingers, I am sure), back injury, or maybe just a 'funk' for now. Lots and lots of players have poor starts, or a rough patch within a season, or even an entire terrible season or two. I have no reason to doubt that Monahan will be an elite center.
|