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Harry Lime · 01-11-2022, 08:58 AM

This gets brought up in multiple threads, so I thought that I would start one based solely on this as an ongoing discussion. This could be about lines and pairings on the big club, or players in the AHL that are not getting a deserved shot. That also falls in line with those players in the NHL who are over/under utilized in terms of icetime or assignment.

Sean Monahan
I think that this player has made strides on the defensive side of the game, to fit in more with Sutter's system. He is solidly average. The knock on him now is that his point production is at an all-time low. On this site, and on the FAN960, there is a common thought that Monahan's value is negative in terms of a trade.

IMO, Monahan is being used in way that does not utilize his skillset. When I watch him play, he often is working the boards low or making quick passes or dumps to the corner on the offensive side. These are the actions of a player who does not trust his linemates to have the offensive capability to either take a pass, or dish one out to the middle of the ice (where Monahan is most effective). The fact that he is anywhere close to a 0.50 pt/game pace is a minor miracle. He needs linemates who are not an offensive black hole.

Coleman - Monahan - Mangiapane

Micheal Backlund

He is a solid third line centre and a mentor to younger players. He will be a coach in some capacity when his playing days are over. His most frustrating trait is his inability to take a pass in motion. It bugs the heck out of me.

He is good on the rush, good forechecking and backchecking. Good coverage. He screams shut down third line centre with some pop. The second line centre position needs more offensive flair in order to take pressure off of first line production. A second line that scores opens up the ice for the first line. The kind of consistency that Backlund brings is great, but that is not what the second line needs, especially with Coleman doing the same job from the wing, and Mangiapane throwing out passes that require the centre to have better hands.

Lucic - Backlund - Dube

As an aside, I actually see Dube as a longterm centre, and if Monahan fails in a second line role, I would swap him and Dube directly instead of promoting Backlund back to the second line.

01-11-2022, 08:58 AM	#1
Harry Lime Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2014 Exp:	Player Utilization This gets brought up in multiple threads, so I thought that I would start one based solely on this as an ongoing discussion. This could be about lines and pairings on the big club, or players in the AHL that are not getting a deserved shot. That also falls in line with those players in the NHL who are over/under utilized in terms of icetime or assignment. Sean Monahan I think that this player has made strides on the defensive side of the game, to fit in more with Sutter's system. He is solidly average. The knock on him now is that his point production is at an all-time low. On this site, and on the FAN960, there is a common thought that Monahan's value is negative in terms of a trade. IMO, Monahan is being used in way that does not utilize his skillset. When I watch him play, he often is working the boards low or making quick passes or dumps to the corner on the offensive side. These are the actions of a player who does not trust his linemates to have the offensive capability to either take a pass, or dish one out to the middle of the ice (where Monahan is most effective). The fact that he is anywhere close to a 0.50 pt/game pace is a minor miracle. He needs linemates who are not an offensive black hole. Coleman - Monahan - Mangiapane Micheal Backlund He is a solid third line centre and a mentor to younger players. He will be a coach in some capacity when his playing days are over. His most frustrating trait is his inability to take a pass in motion. It bugs the heck out of me. He is good on the rush, good forechecking and backchecking. Good coverage. He screams shut down third line centre with some pop. The second line centre position needs more offensive flair in order to take pressure off of first line production. A second line that scores opens up the ice for the first line. The kind of consistency that Backlund brings is great, but that is not what the second line needs, especially with Coleman doing the same job from the wing, and Mangiapane throwing out passes that require the centre to have better hands. Lucic - Backlund - Dube As an aside, I actually see Dube as a longterm centre, and if Monahan fails in a second line role, I would swap him and Dube directly instead of promoting Backlund back to the second line. __________________ "By Grabthar's hammer ... what a savings."