Quote:
Originally Posted by FireGilbert
Please don’t trade Monahan. The Flames need another top 6 centre to take the offensive pressure off Monahan, reduce Backlund’s ice time, and move Jankowski to the wing.
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I think the challenge is that it'll be difficult to bring in that player without giving up a major asset, and that would likely have to include Monahan.
Johnny needs a centre that plays fast, strong, and has puck handling skills to carry the puck in themselves on the rush. Avalanche knew they just had to left wing lockdown Johnny, and it was as easy as that to shut down the first line offense. You need to be able to rush down the centre of the ice to make the defense more honest.
Monahan is a player that produces off of his linemates, moreso than him making his own offense. It would be better to get rid of him to bring in that top line need, or if it's possible to keep him and Johnny while bringing in that ideal #1 C type of player, then Monahan can be on the second line with Tkachuk where he may be more suitable. Backlund will finally be slotted as a #3 C which is what he's best suited as.