Quote:
Originally Posted by Diemenz
I know I am cherry picking here but after coaching hockey for 10+ years and playing Division 1 hockey for 6 years (inserted so I don't get a hockey knowledge attack thrown my way) if a center was every "bullying" a player off the puck or in puck pursuit in any area but out front of the net/short side in the defensive zone I have been taught and teach that he's centering wrong. There is always exceptions (like McDavid) but the center should be the player with the greatest focus on gap control and always be aware of the puck going the other way.
In my opinion Monahan is not the problem, the makeup of line 1 is the problem. Because of Monahans foot speed he should have a fast winger that can gap control (Lindholm is that person) and a winger that can get low (Johnny is not that person). I am not an NHL coach and i understand that the 1st line is created on the premises that good defense is a strong offense but i think everyone can agree that watching line 1 get hemmed in their zone for 2 minutes is not enjoyable.
Disclaimer: I am not disagreeing; I agree with you in the sense that his utilization doesn't seem to be optimal to his strengths.
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Interesting perspective. Would Tkachuk be the 'guy' for your construct in this situation? Or, even generally, how would you like to see the lines work?