Quote:
Originally Posted by Flamesfan05
Still nowhere, there is little room for a soft center that can’t carry the puck or set up his line mates. If his quick shot is gone, he needs to transform his massive size into a big SOB but he won’t/can’t so his career is basically over
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IF he accepts that the league has evolved to a point where a player's main skill is finding quiet ice and getting off a shot is of limited value, Monahan has the knowledge and size to redefine his game for a place in the NHL. When he came into the league the pace of the game afforded guys like Neal and Monahan to carry significant value, but once Vegas was able to gather a group of dedicated puck hounds, and other teams saw how this compressed decision making, the value of a hired gun diminished.
I get some of the frustration with the player, but he appears to be working to adapt to a new role, and if he continues to develop a bit more handle and gristle, he could carve out a second act in role where he could be an asset to a contender. Unfortunately, that isn't likely to happen in Calgary as that type of player commands a lesser salary than what he is currently making, and that's a tough nut for most to swallow.
Of note, Gaudreau threw a bone to Monahan last night when he made a point to say in the pre game that there were guys sitting last night who can put the puck in the net. Good to see that guys continue to look out for each other, and I gather that the players respect how Monahan has handled the situation.