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Vinny01 · 03-04-2021, 10:43 AM

I think it all comes down to the core.

Gaudreau- the thought was he could be one of the true elite talents in the league. A regular Art Ross candidate and considered one of the top 5 offensive threats in the league
- what he appears to be now. A top end forward who could be a point per game threat but he is not a franchise player. I remember getting a little too excited after the World Cup and thought he could be one of the best players of this generation.

Monahan- the thought was he could become a legit number 1 C. The expectations were never saying he would be an elite two-way franchise center but he would be a solid pivot who should score 30 every year and be a threat for 40.
- what has happened after he hit 82pts for the first time was missing 50pts for the first time since his rookie season. He has 1 even strength goal and 3 goals total in 25 games this year. Huge massive drop off

Tkachuk- he still had a chance to hit his ceiling but after a 34 goal 76pt season from the second line he hasn’t taken a step forward and if anything has taken a half step or even a full step back. Another 40 goal hopeful but not there yet.

Ultimately when Lindholm was added to this core and took a huge leap into making this forward group a big 4. In the 18/19 season it looked like we were watching this core reach their potential but once the bye week in 2019 hit they have never looked the same.

Look at the “big 4 forwards” in our division.

Calgary- Gaudreau, Monahan, Tkachuk, Lindholm
Toronto- Matthews, Marner, Tavares, Nylander
Edmonton- McDavid, Draisaitl, Nuge, Yamamoto
Winnipeg- Schiefele, Connor, Dubois, Wheeler
Vancouver- Pettersson, Boeser, Horvat, Miller
Montreal- Suzuki, Anderson, Gallagher, Toffoli
Ottawa- Tkachuk, Batherson, Stutzle, Norris

Flames are at best ranked 5th there. In 18/19 they looked a lot better and when those top players are playing like top players the rest of the depth makes the Flames one of the best teams in the league. When our top players can’t carry the depth the team looks incredibly mediocre.

03-04-2021, 10:43 AM	#27
Vinny01 Franchise Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CGY Exp:	I think it all comes down to the core. Gaudreau- the thought was he could be one of the true elite talents in the league. A regular Art Ross candidate and considered one of the top 5 offensive threats in the league - what he appears to be now. A top end forward who could be a point per game threat but he is not a franchise player. I remember getting a little too excited after the World Cup and thought he could be one of the best players of this generation. Monahan- the thought was he could become a legit number 1 C. The expectations were never saying he would be an elite two-way franchise center but he would be a solid pivot who should score 30 every year and be a threat for 40. - what has happened after he hit 82pts for the first time was missing 50pts for the first time since his rookie season. He has 1 even strength goal and 3 goals total in 25 games this year. Huge massive drop off Tkachuk- he still had a chance to hit his ceiling but after a 34 goal 76pt season from the second line he hasn’t taken a step forward and if anything has taken a half step or even a full step back. Another 40 goal hopeful but not there yet. Ultimately when Lindholm was added to this core and took a huge leap into making this forward group a big 4. In the 18/19 season it looked like we were watching this core reach their potential but once the bye week in 2019 hit they have never looked the same. Look at the “big 4 forwards” in our division. Calgary- Gaudreau, Monahan, Tkachuk, Lindholm Toronto- Matthews, Marner, Tavares, Nylander Edmonton- McDavid, Draisaitl, Nuge, Yamamoto Winnipeg- Schiefele, Connor, Dubois, Wheeler Vancouver- Pettersson, Boeser, Horvat, Miller Montreal- Suzuki, Anderson, Gallagher, Toffoli Ottawa- Tkachuk, Batherson, Stutzle, Norris Flames are at best ranked 5th there. In 18/19 they looked a lot better and when those top players are playing like top players the rest of the depth makes the Flames one of the best teams in the league. When our top players can’t carry the depth the team looks incredibly mediocre.