Should Monahan be released to the WJC

[superfarmer]

I think it would be great for his development

[TurnedTheCorner]

I think he's learning and developing a lot playing against NHL players. I would prefer to keep him on the Flames, though I don't think there's a black and white, right and wrong answer to this.

I trust the Flames to make the decision they think is best for Sean's development.

[Poe969]

I think they should give him the option. It's not like he is the reason we're in a playoff spot or anything. It would probably benefit both him and team Canada if he was there

[loob job]

I hope they do so that i can watch him against guys his own age to see how he stands out (or doesn't). Think it would be very interesting.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by superfarmer

I think it would be great for his development

I don't. I think it'll be a good experience for him. But I don't see how this will make him a better player in the long run. First of all, and someone prove me wrong if I'm wrong, but I've never heard of a player go on record and say how a World Jr tournament helped them become the NHL player that they are.

Monahan is already competing against the best players in the world and succeeding. How exactly is him playing against weaker opponents, the majority of whom will never become a full-time NHL player, going to help him become a better overall player? How is him going to the tournament going to help him 10 years down the road? It's not.

[Rubicant]

I don't think either decision will really hamper his development to be honest.

He would miss 4 games (possibly 5 because of traveling back from Sweden) as best as I can tell. It might be worth the opportunity to have the experience of playing in a tournament like that for his country and likely experience some wins.

[habernac]

I think he gets better playing against men.

[Trailer Fire]

Originally Posted by Rubicant

I don't think either decision will really hamper his development to be honest.

He would miss 4 games (possibly 5 because of traveling back from Sweden) as best as I can tell. It might be worth the opportunity to have the experience of playing in a tournament like that for his country and likely experience some wins.

With the camp it would be more like 12 games.

[Poe969]

I don't think he would have to go to camp, I could see the Flames saying no if he had to miss that much time though.

I think playing on team with other really good prospects would benefit him; he could learn staying in the NHL by playing against men but at the WJC he would be playing with most likely more tallented players than he is on the Flames. I just think that he could learn from other good players and if he went and team Canada won it might help him even more.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I think they should give him the option. It's not like he is the reason we're in a playoff spot or anything. It would probably benefit both him and team Canada if he was there

I'd prefer the team made the decision, not the player.

[strombad]

I would say yes, but only for selfish reasons. It would be nice to see him play at the WJC, but development wise? I don't think it makes much of a difference at all.

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

I'd prefer the team made the decision, not the player.

Again, I guess I phrased that wrong. It shouldn't be entirely up to him at all but I think if he is really enthusiastic about going there then the team should take that into consideration.

[Buff]

I would be cautious if I were Flames management. I think it would be great for Team Canada, and great for Flames fans to see Monahan dominate at that level. It would also be good for his confidence to go dominate.

However, what if he doesn't dominate? Will that hurt his confidence? Will he start hearing criticism that he doesn't need to hear? What if he gets hurt? Maybe the change of pace will slow down his play at the NHL level? What if? What if? What if?

N ow, I understand that Monahan will likely do very well and even if he doesn't he is mature enough that his development won't suffer, but I always like to weigh in all the pros and cons and sometimes the cons scare me off of doing something for something so important. Monahan is very important to the Flames going forward and they want to make sure they do what is best for him, because what is best for their top prospect is only good for the team.

So, in short, I'll trust management's decision on the matter.

[Mass_nerder]

I think it all depends on what his role is projected to be on the team. Is MacKinnon going? If not, does that leave #1 centre role open for Monahan?

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I don't think he would have to go to camp, I could see the Flames saying no if he had to miss that much time though.

I think playing on team with other really good prospects would benefit him; he could learn staying in the NHL by playing against men but at the WJC he would be playing with most likely more tallented players than he is on the Flames. I just think that he could learn from other good players and if he went and team Canada won it might help him even more.

I think Team Canada changed their rules about 20 years ago and players that aren't at the camp (in December, not the summer one) are not on the team. This avoids the fiasco that had in the early 90's with Trevor Kidd (and someone else I can't remember the name).

Missing a month in the NHL is too much. I prefer he stays here unless he really starts struggling in the next couple weeks.

[CaptainCrunch]

The above is where I sit, if he goes down and plays third or fourth line minutes then why bother. Unless there's a guarantee that he only plays top two minutes I wouldn't send him down.

Sure it would be cool to see him in the Red and White but he's getting relevant ice time up here and he's finally figured out the up pacing after a bit of a struggle when his hot streak ended.

[Hockeyguy15]

He's in the thick of the Calder race, I think Poe969 is right and the team should take into consideration what Monahan wants as well.

If he really wants to play for his country, then I think the team should take a good look at if they want to let him play. If he wants to stay and make that push for the Calder then it's a no-brainer to keep him with the Flames.

[burn_baby_burn]

The Flames are out of the playoff race so he might as well. Will be a great experience for him.

[Trailer Fire]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I don't think he would have to go to camp, I could see the Flames saying no if he had to miss that much time though.

IIRC it was mandatory the last few years for player to participate in the camp. Didn't RNH at e part in the camp last year? Granted it was a lock out... But I'm pretty sure the camp was more or less mandatory.

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

I think Team Canada changed their rules about 20 years ago and players that aren't at the camp (in December, not the summer one) are not on the team. This avoids the fiasco that had in the early 90's with Trevor Kidd (and someone else I can't remember the name).

Missing a month in the NHL is too much. I prefer he stays here unless he really starts struggling in the next couple weeks.

How is missing a month too much? I just don't get it because even though he is a key contributer on the team it's not like the team can fall much further without him. By going and spending time with other "potential star players" he could learn from them and pick up some other skills. By being on a strong team and actually winning, it could be more beneficial than being on a team that hardly wins.