Quote:
Originally Posted by FanIn80
Let's just say I'm not very inclined to care about the opinions of people who suggest Tkachuk, at the age of 23, has already peaked and is "now on the decline" or that Monahan isn't an NHL-calibre center.
Tkachuk in the midst a bad half-season = an acceptable opinion.
Monahan not a play-driving center = an acceptable opinion.
Tkachuk has already peaked; Monahan not an NHL center = zero credibility.
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To be fair, when I said Monahan isn't an NHL option right now, it's because he hasn't been a play-driving centre for basically his entire career. Those two points are heavily intertwined. This year, his shortcomings have been heavily exacerbated by his lack of production, which was his one previously reliable saving grace. Monahan has 3 goals in 28 games at 5v5 despite plum deployment next to the team's best offensive player.
I really don't think it's unfair to question whether he's been an NHL-calibre centre option this year. What has he been doing this year on a consistent basis to drive play? I would argue that his only notable impacts this year have come on the power play. His (excellent) attribute—consistent goal-scoring—that absolved him from much of the criticism levelled towards him has dried up. When he doesn't score... what does he do?