Quote:
Originally Posted by Your Calgary Flames!
Didn’t read much of the thread but It’s a shame really. Monahan put up 22 goals his first season without Johnny. I do believe he could drive the play early in his career. .
|
That year he put up 22 goals, Monahan had some of the worst possession and WOWY numbers
on one of the worst possession teams in the league, despite limited minutes and relatively quality linemates.
He was also the beneficiary of some fortunate shooting percentages during his nine-game tryout period (he scored 6 goals in 9 games, on 21 shots - while this isn't a knock on him, it definitely bought him the opportunity to burn his ELC/RFA year when his
actual level of play probably would have had him sent back to Junior).
As far as driving play goes, there was even an article posted, albeit on an oilers website, about how his rookie season was likely smoke-and-mirrors:
https://############.com/2014/09/04/...eon-draisaitl/
I think the only time I ever saw Monahan truly driving play was during that period where Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland were a line (Feb2017-March2018). I think the fact that the fleet-footed and powerful Ferland retrieved so many dump-ins and chip-outs probably masked Monahan's inability to make controlled zone entries and exits under pressure.