Quote:
Originally Posted by Vinny01
It is such a big year for this core and I don’t think there is much rope left at all with the superstar duo that has lead this team for the last half decade. Monahan and Gaudreau proved when they were one of the truly elite combos in the league the Flames were a 1st place team and would have with anyone.
Gaudreau ended up with 99pts and Monahan 82 but remember in the peak of that season both were on pace for 100+pts along with Lindholm pacing in the 90’s. If that combo or that line could ever sustain that for most of a season the Flames are a top 5 team in the league easily.
The consensus among hockey fans and critics is Monahan and Gaudreau are good, not great players and the Flames are a good, not great team. I think many thought that after a second first round loss (and 3rd in 4 years with a playoff miss) they were going to trade one or both of these players. Personally I was convinced it would happen but I guess the right deals haven’t materialized.
If the Flames were able to get peak Gaudreau and Monahan back along with their upgraded goaltending I think they would be first place in either the Pacific or Canadian division.
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I think this is what we have to hope for. The odds of us making a hockey deal that improves the team seems unlikely. The odds of a "futures" package is even less likely. The odds of them getting back to being a top line in the NHL? I wouldn't bet on it but I think it's most likely we start the season this way so hopefully they can at least be better than last season. Let Gaudreau and Monahan be a second line and give them better match ups and opportunities. These guys are one dimensional offensive players who aren't great at defence so put them in positions to excel at that and stop worrying so much about them having an all around game. Hopefully the team as a whole can pick up that slack.