On Johnny/Monny:
I think the "book" on defending against Johnny took a while to write, but it's now been written.
At first, people just tried to rush him, but Johnny would burn them and find an open man (usually Monny). Then people tried to give him room, but then he'd just burn them himself. Now, people have figured out that the way to shut him down is to rush him while taking away his lanes. 1-2 guys pressure Johnny while another guy stays tight on his targets (Monny, Gio, etc).
Opponents have realized that if you rush him, he's going to move the puck or try to force the shot. Take away his targets, and you and up with an almost certain giveaway or a just a bad shot.
Monny looks bad out there in those situations, because he's a sniper that no longer gets the puck in optimal situations. He's not a two-way player. He just puts pucks inside nets. He doesn't need the puck spoon fed to him, either. He's capable of finding it laying on the ice somewhere and depositing it inside a 4' cage. The problem is that his winger is either being forced to give it away, pass it to somewhere no one can get it or put it on net from an angle that doesn't allow for any follow up net-front action.
Ultimately, I think it's time to trade Gaudreau. I think you do it now before the season runs out and there's yet another playoff (or late season) failure on his resume. There are teams out there that can absolutely make use of his talents (which are quite considerable), unfortunately Calgary is no longer one of them.
If trading him isn't an option, then separating Monahan from him has to happen. Not for a shift or two, or even a period or two. Separate them for games, weeks, a month at least. Give Monny time with someone like Tkachuk and Mangiapane, who, just as a bi-product of how they play, will create opportunities for Monahan to rediscover his touch around the net again. Then the confidence will come back, and I am certain he'll become the play-driving (not play-making) Center I suspect he is.
Put Gaudreau and Lindholm together. They have chemistry and Lindy is the two-guy that can help to clean up Gaudreau's messes. Who knows? Maybe if the giveaways are no longer as fruitful because of Lindholm, then teams will adjust and Johnny will get his mojo back once more...
I'm reaching, I know, but I still have a lot of faith in Monahan's skill. This guy knows how to score goals, and has ice water for blood. I just think we need to commit to a long term plan of getting him away from Johnny.
|