Quote:
Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper
I don’t think his shot is the problem at all. Anyone remember the last goal he scored? That absolute rocket on Hellebuyck? He still has a hard shot and he was still very productive on the PP before he was removed. So his skills are still there.
The problem in my opinion has always been his ability to get it off. The majority of his scoring in the past came off of getting open/lost in the slot. But now, without Gaudreau creating time and space for Monahan, he’s not getting the same type of opportunities anymore. It was the biggest fear I had for Monahan coming into the season and the main reason I predicted a very serious goal scoring dip for him.
If he had developed better one vs one skills over his career such as masking his shot, shooting at angles and being more unpredictable, then he’d probably have more goals today. But as of now, his shots are all telegraphed and very easy to defend. Quite simply put, there’s just not enough weapons in his arsenal.
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This sounds true, and he does seem to get blocked more and/or not get his shot off quickly. But if so, the solution is not to play him with guys that create no time and space on his line. It’s either play him with the Mangiapanes, Colemans, Toffolis white whom he’s at least been on the positive side of both fancy stats and plus minus, or as is happening now, don’t bother playing him. Expecting him to be productive between Lewis, who is 100% a defensive player and Lucic, who has hit a serious wall since December, is a little unrealistic.