Debbie Downer post.
The nostalgia love for Monahan is insane. Even before his injuries, Monahan played soft. Not great at carrying the puck despite being a center. Not great along the boards. Never used his size. His defensive game was never a finished product, always in the works. His one elite trait was a nice shot and finding open spots on the ice for that shot. There was a reason he was nicknamed the garbage man, and people wanted him moved to the wing. His goal and point totals were largely carried by Gaudreau. Eventually, Monahan's game got so bad, he dragged Gaudreau to career lows. Gaudreau's game recovered after being separated from Monahan; Monahan's game got even worse. Overall, he was a one-dimensional opportunistic sniper who got lucky to ride Gaudreau's coattails for as long as he did.
Sure, you can mention injuries. Speculation, but Monahan chose to play through injury instead of seek surgery or rest. This made his game and career worse, and the Flames suffered because of it. Flames could've gotten a fully rehabilitated player or at least cap space if not for Monahan's poor decision to play hurt. Maybe team doctors are partly to blame, but Monahan owns a part of that, too.
I can still wish him well, but people are conveniently forgetting all of the frustrating things about his time here.
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Gaudreau > Huberdeau AINEC
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