[CP Story] Decision Time

[Bingo]

http://www.calgarypuck.com/2013/10/decision-time/

[nik-]

They can send him down, but it just can't be now and ELC can't be the reason. Right now he is more than earning his spot and it would be a terrible message to send.

If he's struggling at the midway point, send him down and grumble a bit about the ELC year wasted, but not now.

[TurnedTheCorner]

As I understand it, somewhere around 40 games is another trigger for UFA eligibility (or at least was in the previous CBA). So we'll probably be seeing another "The Decision" later in the season.

[indes]

Good article, there's no way Monahan should be sent down at this point. He's definitely good enough to be effective at the NHL level. He does need some improvement, he was running around in the defensive zone a few times but with that being said I don't think he's going to learn those skills if he goes back to the 67's.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by nik-

They can send him down, but it just can't be now and ELC can't be the reason. Right now he is more than earning his spot and it would be a terrible message to send.

If he's struggling at the midway point, send him down and grumble a bit about the ELC year wasted, but not now.

Completely agree. I can't beleive the amount of people here that are worried about that. How would you feel if you came into a company as a fresh face, shook the place up and was one of the best performers, but the boss decided to send you back to school (even though you have obviously graduated) just to potentially save some money on you in a couple years. I bet most would be super pissed. Especially considering the team has free reign to spend to the cap.

[Drury18]

Personally, I'm not worried about his contract or eligibility for UFA, we have money to burn. My concern is can he endure the ups and downs and pressure of a full NHL season?

He's our shiny new toy and we love him. What happens when the shine dulls? Do the fans turn on him?

Is he still riding an adrenalin high that hasn't sunk in yet? What happens when he goes into a slump (because it will happen)? We have only seen the good side of the kid, we haven't seen bad and I was sort of hoping to see both before having to make a decision whether he stays. Let's see what happens when he can't score for a few games, gets into a rut. Does he work his ass off to get out or does he pout? How does he handle negative comments from the media, coaches and GM? How does he handle being demoted on a line to encourage better play?

I worry that we might have another Baertschi situation where the kid comes in on a high, does everything right, scores and then the reality of being an NHL player where you have bad times and bad streaks comes into play and completely knocks the wind out of his sails and he struggles. Or that the pressure from the fans becomes overwhelming and they don't know how to deal with it. I believe to an extent that Monohan has more mental toughness then Baertschi but he's also 19 and it's excusable if he doesn't.

[flames_fan_down_under]

I share a lot of the same sentiments as the others posting in this thread.

Great CP Story Bingo, as always.

Darren Dreger was on the team 1040 saying some similar things too. He said that it's hard for any teenager in the NHL to endure an 82 game season, and I agree. Sean Monahan may get completely gassed by game 40, at which point you send him down and not worry about the ELC.

There is a level of maturity, and simplicity, to Monahan's game that is pretty remarkable for a 19 year old.

Pretty cool problem to have!

[LouCypher]

Makes team better? Check
Improves when faced with bigger challenges? Check
Ready to handle the speed and size of the NHL? Check

Cant really see any reason to send him down, I would argue that he would develop better here the way things are going than back in junior. Its one thing when we are talking an 18-19 year old getting 5-7 minutes a game but Monahan just keeps seeing his ice time go up and he isn't wasting it, he seems to learn something every shift.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Drury18 is right, a downturn is inevitable. But few NHLers go whole seasons without streaks and slumps and ups and downs. I'm no more worried about this with Monahan than with anyone else on the roster.

[habernac]

great writeup, Bingo. He's mature, positionally sound and has a nose for the net. Not to mention, isn't Ottawa a not-so great organization? He's earned the right to stick around.

[MolsonInBothHands]

Are there bonuses in his contract?

Sending him down now would send the message to the team and the fans that winning isn't REALLY all that important this year. He has to stay, for a while at least.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under

I share a lot of the same sentiments as the others posting in this thread.

Great CP Story Bingo, as always.

Darren Dreger was on the team 1040 saying some similar things too. He said that it's hard for any teenager in the NHL to endure an 82 game season, and I agree. Sean Monahan may get completely gassed by game 40, at which point you send him down and not worry about the ELC.

There is a level of maturity, and simplicity, to Monahan's game that is pretty remarkable for a 19 year old.

Pretty cool problem to have!

Sending him to the WJC, plus the olympic break may be enough to keep him going all 82 games.

[GreenLantern]

I want him to stay, he has proven he is mature beyond the OHL. However, if the chance arises and this teams looking to be out of the playoff race come Christmas, I'd love to see him play in the WJ's. It always brings out the best in these kids and is a tournament that is a step above Junior. It would be a great experience for him.

[powderjunkie]

Can we let him go to WJC but return to Flames?

[zuluking]

He stays. The Flames have built a dressing room mentality that will protect the young guys from themselves when the inevitable downturns hit. That's when the team building and family mentality pays dividends. It's also why guys like McGratton are more important in the room as on the bench. The fact Monahan is staying with Hudler demonstrates a lot about how this team views itself. Keep him here, Feaster. It's a safe bet.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

Sending him to the WJC, plus the olympic break may be enough to keep him going all 82 games.

If he's gone to the WJC he won't play 82 games. He'll miss at least four games, possibly more depending on prep and travel time.

[/pedantic]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

Can we let him go to WJC but return to Flames?

Yes.

[The Yen Man]

I'd be shocked if the Flames sent him down, TBQH. I think Flames brass has already made up their minds. How he plays tonight won't have any bearing in that decision, IMO. He's already proved he can cut it at the NHL level. Obviously he's not going to be able to sustain his scoring pace, but that's ok.

The one thing I do want to see, however, is him playing in the WJC, and I hope that still happens. Him going and dominating would really make me interested in the tournament this year.

[red sky]

Good write up, although the last sentence needs to be buy not by

[Kjesse]

There was a decision to be made at the start of the season before game 10. The difference now is Monahan has made it for them. There is no real decision here, he has to be kept up. Perhaps there'd be reason to send him down mid-season, but for now everything points to he must stay.

Sending him down would send the wrong message to him, the rest of the team, and the fans about what this organization is trying to accomplish this year. We don't play to lose. We don't adjust our systems to lose. We don't rig our roster to lose.

There is no decision to make. Its a mere formality.

[Joker]

How can you send him down? he has clearly surpassed the junior level of development. He would even be better suited to be in and out of the lineup. Watching games and practicing with the team would teach him more than playing a simplified version of what he has been in the show.