Where Does Monahan Play Next Season? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

trackercowe · 07-01-2013, 01:27 AM

I hope people don't think I am bringing up this discussion too early, but I was talking to a couple of friends and this subject came up. Both of them (being Oiler fans) assumed Feaster would rush Monahan to the NHL next season, and not give him any more time to brush up his skills in Ottawa. Also of course if he plays more than 9 games the Flames will be burning off a year of his entry level contract. Since then I have been wavering back on forth on the subject as both sides have advantages and disadvantages.

If the Flames decide to leave him in junior for another year he could brush up his skills, continue to establish a leadership role in Ottawa (even if the team isn't very good), and potentially play in the World Juniors. There he could learn a thing or two from Brent Sutter, who excels at coaching junior talent. It also would push the Flames back a year from taking that year off his ELC. Although it doesn't seem like the 67's will be any better next season, but I suppose he could always be traded to another team in the latter half of the season.

Then of course the Flames could also bring him to the NHL this season. Let's face it; Monahan is likely already a top six player on the Flames. He could also possibly be our best option at center right now, even better than both Stajan and Backlund. Unlike many rookies who find themselves in the NHL at such a young age he could get a ton of playing time right off the bat, and play in pretty much every situation. He seems to have the mindset of an NHLer already, so being put into the league might not affect him like it does other players his age. Of course the Flames are also going through a rebuild, and Monahan for now could very well be the center piece of the rebuild, so why bother keeping him longer in the OHL then he has to?

Generally I have always been opposed to rushing draft picks to the majors in their first year, unless the team knows for a certainty that he's NHL ready (Crosby, Mackinnon, Jones), but it sure is enticing to play Monahan this year when he'd easily make our top six. However for now I think I am leaning towards the prospect of giving him one more year in juniors before bringing him up. There are just too many historical examples of players faring poorly when being put in the same situation, especially in this case if he is relied upon too heavily. Also do we really want to join the likes of the Oilers, Islanders, and Thrashers/Jets who generally rush their prospects to the NHL before they're ready and are forced to deal with negative ramifications because of it?

Now I assume the decision won’t be made until after training camp and that in all likelihood Monahan will get a 9 game tryout; so in a way it’s impossible to make a clear decision right now. But with what we already know, and can expect to happen in the next couple months, does Monahan make the Flames next season?

Once again sorry if I am bringing the discussion up so early, but I don’t think anyone can remember the last time they were this excited about a Flames prospect so early after the draft.

Igster · 07-01-2013, 01:30 AM

He'll make the Flames out of camp.

bluck · 07-01-2013, 01:32 AM

I apologize I didn't read your whole op but he will make the team out of camp. He is that good.

foshizzle11 · 07-01-2013, 01:33 AM

I'm just as excited. He is wearing the flaming C in 2013/2014
No doubt. Maybe not the 1st or 2nd line though but that's ok!

Monahan willl be awesome!

dammage79 · 07-01-2013, 01:36 AM

Flames. Cannot see how going back to Ottawa helps him in anyways going forward. Maybe if his OHL rights got traded to a cool place like Windsor or something. But I think he's our second line center next year. Or at the very least splitting 2nd and 3rd line duties with Knight.

Question now is, and maybe this needs a new thread as well, but what number is he going to have?? My guess? 10.
^ ^
(Sorry, this was meant as funny, not super internet sarcastic)

Even More Editing! Doesn Knight wear the #10. Gussing then Monahan gets a center like number. Like 19.

Vulcan · 07-01-2013, 01:37 AM

He'll get a good chance to make the club at training camp. Everything else is undetermined.

dying4acup · 07-01-2013, 01:39 AM

I would play him in the NHL. It's the best development opportunity. He can still play world juniors. And I think Feaster had regrets about sending Sven back for a year. It would be different if AHL were an option. Going back to Ottawa to play on a loser is pointless, and even if he is traded in the OHL, there are too many unknowns. The flames can't risk a wasted year on their centerpiece.

djsFlames · 07-01-2013, 01:41 AM

Since Feaster has already talked about getting him signed asap, as well as his/the team's strategy of drafting "nhl ready", it's looking a lot like he'll be with the team in october.

Which is fine because he's had a couple of seasons on the 67s in a leadership role with back to back solid production years. Even a couple years back when he was 16 I remember seeing him playing for Canada in the U16/18 whatever it was, and he was already excelling as a Canadian center. So it's not like this year was his first real breakout year, which for other high picks might warrant another year of junior. He was already playing at a high level for a while before that. So seems to have mastered playing in the OHL for the most part.

As for where he would fit, sadly I would call him maybe our best center option, but I do see Feaster and co. signing a free agent center with experience (Bozak/Lecavalier/Weiss) to play and possibly center the top line.

I think it's important that he remain sheltered in a rookie season right after being drafted. Otherwise the Oilers happens. Bad injuries due to the player trying to embrace too large a role, too early. Can't have that happen with such an important new piece for the team. So I could see him playing with Baertschi on the 2nd line with a little special team time. (though I could see Sven getting some flashes of top line duties at some point) Seeing as Knight/Horak/Stajan look to have the 3rd line locked up in the middle. Or perhaps he spends a little time on the wing in a depth role to become accustomed.

Then again I'm forgetting about Backlund in the middle lol. It's so..so very strange to have difficulties trying to configure the center position for lines. Never had this much depth.

Perhaps more than anything though, I look forward to the Flames having 3 horses in the running for the Calder. (Baertschi, Monahan, Knight) How ####ing awesome is that.

MisterJoji · 07-01-2013, 01:46 AM

Feaster said they were looking to draft an NHL ready player at #6, but take that it for what it's worth. He's all but guaranteed to get a 9 game audition but if he isn't head and shoulders above Backlund (unless Backs makes major leaps as well) or Stajan I hope he heads back to Ottawa to refine his game. Unless a minor miracle happens we won't be getting a sniff of the playoffs next year, so burning a year of his ELC to play for a bottom feeding team isn't great asset management.

kirant · 07-01-2013, 01:50 AM

I imagine he'll get a 9 game tryout at the very least unless he looks out of his element in the preseason. If he doesn't look terribly flawed past that, he's a Flame, I'm imagining 3rd line. He'll fight with Backlund and Bouma or Reinhart for bottom 6 centre minutes. It sounds like Feaster is big game hunting for a top line centre (possibly Lecavalier?). With Tanguay gone, it seems Cammalleri will take a top line spot on wing, Stajan 2nd line...leaving the aforementioned players to fight for the bottom 6 positions.

It's entirely possible that one gets assigned as a winger though...

Samiz · 07-01-2013, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djsFlames

3 horses in the running for the Calder. (Baertschi, Monahan, Knight)

Baertschi still qualifies next year?

djsFlames · 07-01-2013, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

so burning a year of his ELC to play for a bottom feeding team isn't great asset management.

So, what.. bring him in when the team is good?

Exactly how do we get better then if this is the strategy? lol. Just saying.

bluck · 07-01-2013, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samiz

Baertschi still qualifies next year?

Yea <25 games

djsFlames · 07-01-2013, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samiz

Baertschi still qualifies next year?

Believe so. Unless that final, 20th game of his negates his Rookie status this season.

Maybe someone can clarify.

Freeway · 07-01-2013, 01:55 AM

Calgary.

indes · 07-01-2013, 02:02 AM

Flames for sure, I would count on the 3rd line. Crazy to think he's better than Stajan and Backlund at this point.

SebC · 07-01-2013, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indes

Flames for sure, I would count on the 3rd line. Crazy to think he's better than Stajan and Backlund at this point.

Crazy because it's probably wrong.

Backlund and Stajan should both be expected to outperform Monahan next season. Knight should outperform Monahan too.

getbak · 07-01-2013, 02:12 AM

I think he certainly gets the 9 games, then they make the decision.

I have nothing against giving him another year in junior, though. Barring a horrific injury (which is just as likely to happen in the NHL as the OHL), I can't think of any player whose development was ever hurt by giving him an extra year in junior after his draft. There are plenty of examples of players whose development was hurt by being rushed into the NHL.

drPepper1 · 07-01-2013, 02:19 AM

Khl

Calgary4LIfe · 07-01-2013, 02:22 AM

Flames will not rush him. Weisbrod has made mention of that already prior to the selection being made.

If he makes the team, it will be because he earned it and because he has put some size on. He has been out of hockey for a while and had a head-start on his off-season training, so perhaps he will be closer to being ready physically than we assume.

Going back to the OHL for him only makes sense if he is physically not ready for the NHL. If he does, I would imagine he would be quickly traded to another team gearing up to take a shot at the memorial cup, and thus would be surrounded by much better talent.

If he stays on the Flames, I think he will get mostly 3rd line duty to start with. Backlund should be the 1st line center, and at this point, is miles ahead of Monahan developmentally. Tough to figure out how the next 3 lines get broken up though now. I think Stajan gets the 2nd line, Monahan the 3rd, and Knight the 4th. Knight is physically more mature to handle 4th line opposition, and Hartley can shelter the 3rd line a bit easier.

Will be interesting to see how it shakes out.