Quote:
Originally Posted by The Cobra
The offensive drivers of the team (like Kane, Crosby) often get paired up with substandard line mates and it's up to them to make something of the line.
Monny is a shooter and the exact type of player Johnny needs. We've seen it before and has always worked before.
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I beg to differ.
It's complicated, but even players who are great with the puck on their stick need go be given a chance to play away from the puck and reset their mindsets. To just focus on sneaking around and sniping a weakside goal. It's a mental adjustment.
As long as Gaudreau is linemates with Monahan they will continue to play too one dimensionally. Where Gaudreau is expected to drive and kick to an open Monahan for a goal. It's too predictable. It lacks the variance you need from your stars.
Even Kane has had some great playmaking linemates over the years - Panarin and Toews are two that come to mind.
Monahan has stretches where his playmaking is solid. But as-is, both players are too stuck in one dimensional mindsets of playmaker and shooter. Gaudreau is a former 30 goal scorer, but those are goals he scored away from the puck. Give him a reprieve from trying to do everything and he may get back to remembering that he can do everything without needing to go one on three.
And if Monahan can't be trusted to drive his own line, maybe he shouldn't be playing the position where that's an expectation. Even Stamkos is playing the wing in Tampa right now.
And as for Crosby, he's a center. Centers impact the game in a completely different way. He's also a generational talent that might be the best to lace em up since Mario Lemieux. Gaudreau was drafted in the 4th round.