Quote:
Originally Posted by Erick Estrada
The issue here is that you have a small winger that pretty well has to do all the heavy lifting for the first line. Monahan is probably the least dynamic 1st line center in the league, not a great skater, not an elite passer, and not great in the transition game. Teams know that Johnny is the guy that's going to be taking the puck into the offensive zone and set up the play and they simply focus on Gaudreau to shut the line down as Monahan doesn't move the needle at all. Lindholm is a nice player but he's a complementary utility guy that has nice finish. You match Gaudreau with a dynamic center and that line could lead the league in scoring. I'm not a Monahan hater but we are clearly seeing that this is the ceiling for a team with Monahan as it's first line center.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Manhattanboy
Doubtful JG would resign with the Flames so Treliving has no choice.
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Gaudreau scored almost 100 points on a line with Monahan and Lindholm, no doubt he could return to that if he's the drink instead of the straw. That's not dismissing his poor play and regardless of the season he's having moving him this "summer" is the right move but he shouldn't be "the" guy.
You put Gaudreau with a center who's capable of leading the play and even in poor games he'll still put up points.