Quote:
Originally Posted by AC
Why do you think that now?
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We have discussed Gaudreau's situation for years. Many of us (myself included) feel he's going to leave for an eastern conference team when his contract expires. As for Monahan it appears the team finally has come to the realization that they have reached the ceiling of what a team centered by Sean Monahan on the first line can accomplish. He's now 26 years old and from here on his skating is never going to get better nor will he magically develop elite playmaking or puck possession skills that haven't been there in his prime years. The goaltending is now improved and organizationally the defense for this team has always been above average so it's pretty clear that this team is being held back now by the lack of a true elite center that can carry a team in the playoffs. Relying on a 5'8" winger to be the guy in the playoffs simply isn't a recipe for playoff success as we have seen to date and more is needed from the number one center than simply taking faceoffs and being a trigger man.