Quote:
Originally Posted by Erick Estrada
The 960 guys are trashing Monahan this morning. Trashing! Saying he's Matt Stajan. Now I'm not saying I agree with them but I and others did have reservations last season that despite solid stats that Monahan looked to me more of a complementary player than offensive driver. This season that looks more true than ever. I don't think he's as bad as he's looked this season but I don't think he's as good as the stats would indicate over the past few seasons.
I don't think you shop him but he's definitely a player that you would entertain trading in a one for one deal with another young and talented player if another team comes sniffing around. I just feel he's probably hit his offensive ceiling.
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30 goals is a legit offensive ceiling. Not even Johnny the Great has scored more goals.
Monahan is not playing well this season, but people are having revisionist history here. He was great in his first three seasons, and played well in all zones. What is wrong this season? I don't know. What I do know is the guy has loads of talent and hockey sense, and that is is 21 years old. He may not be mentally tough enough yet to overcome a slump like this and it's perpetuating into worse and worse play.
I am disappointed with Gio's leadership this season as well. It feels like the whole team is mentally fragile, and I think your leadership has a lot to do with it. I think they are past the point of no return now, but Gio et al should have started pounding the tar out of people who were slashing Johnny. Maybe it would have deterred them, maybe not, but one thing it would have done was light a fire under the team.
Any team I ever played on where a guy answered the bell, the players felt a little jolt of energy.