Quote:
Originally Posted by TheScorpion
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?
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This is pretty much all true. But I mean, I’m probably more biased then anyone on the subject of Monahan since I’ve never been sold on him dating all the way back to his rookie year and that’s saying something considering how many 30 goal seasons he’s had.
But to me, he’s a bit of a one trick pony. Does most of his goal scoring in one fashion which is bad because if the opposition takes it away like they have in recent times or in the playoffs, then what can he do to evolve? The answer seems to be nothing so far, he just doesn’t score then. He can’t play a 2 way or shut down role, can’t be a physical presence either. He’s kind of stuck in no man’s lane right now and we as fans can only hope that eventually he figures out how to score at a 30 goal clip again.