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Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
But you've got to dig down into the question of why Monahan and Gaudreau's production is so linked.
You are suggesting Monahan cannot create offense without Gaudreau. I don't believe this to be the case.
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I'm suggesting Monahan produces much better with a set-up man.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
Instead I think what happened this year is that Gaudreau's puck management has been so poor that he has been dragging down his line most of the year. He gives up the puck far too easily with turnovers. His line cannot cycle very well unless he's with Ryan-Lucic so their possession is terrible.
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I feel like Monahan hasn't been that great at protecting the puck either?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
It's not that Monahan is simply a one-trick finisher who is inept at creating offence otherwise. It's that Gaudreau has actually been that bad 5 on 5 most of the year that his line cannot retain the puck and therefore they struggle to create offence.
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I think I am being a bit unfair with how I am putting this. I don't think Monahan is solely reliant on a set up man. I am saying he flourishes with one. At his worse he is still a 20 - 25 goal scorer. I think the issue is that he's not good enough defensively to "only be" a 20 - 25 goal scorer. I am also not high on his ability to drive a line and make his line mates better, I do think Gaudreau can do that.