Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
A. “Drives play” is such an overused and vague term. What you really mean is he doesn’t dangle. But Monahan is typically the outlet pass and a guy who decides where the play is going. Does he defer to Gaudreau to carry? Sure, why not?
B. Skates with the puck. No, not a lot, but more than I bet you are imagining.
C. Zone entry? Monahan and Gaudreau, when working well, are a one piece zone entry. Gaudreau's either crosses the blue line and passes right away to Monahan or he passes across the line to Monahan, who is skating up on it.
D. High Hockey IQ? Monahan has a great hockey IQ. I think it’s as high as Gaudreau’s. Monahan knows where to go, how to find soft spots, he passes very well in a cycle, he is the axis point in the power play because of it.
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A) It is not an overused term. Dangle is not what I mean at all. When I say drive play I mean control pace, he has the skill set to handle the puck and know when to use speed, slow it down or use body position, to get to certain areas of the ice. All of the best centres excel at this.
B) Monahan may do it on occasion (although not very well) but it needs to at least be a viable threat, thus not only creating space for himself but his line mates. With JG being the only one who has the IQ and skillset to do it, it really hinders that line in tight checking playoff style hockey and the middle of the ice is easily neutralized.
C) Which is why they are so easy to shut down at even strength in the playoffs, teams exclusively focus on shutting down JG and his zone entries which leads to him taking a lot of abuse and the line generating next to nothing.
D) When I talk about the high hockey IQ I should have clarified. Monahan is good at finding soft spots and positioning himself in front of the net (although he struggles to do this in the playoffs). See point A, that is the hockey IQ aspect of the game I'm talking about, for a #1 C.
I'm not even sure how any open and honest Flames fan can say Monahan is the answer at #1 C, given the playoff failures and the repeated struggles not only to generate points but even any sustained pressure at even strength. I'm not concerned about him being one of the best Flames players when the bar is so low as is, come playoff time. I give my opinion based on assembling a team capable of winning the ultimate prize.