QOTD: Monahan's New Line Mates

[Bingo]

Though mired in a 10 game goal drought, Monahan has certainly exceeded my expectations this year.

He's on pace to shatter his career high for assists, and on par with his impressive goal total of 22 last year.

he's learned to win face offs and is a more complete player.

Can't miss core player going forward in my opinion.

Tonight he moves from playing with a shooter in Curtis Glencross to skating with two highly skilled players that would rather pass than shoot.

Do they find chemistry?

[GettinIggyWithIt]

I say yes. Hudler and Gaudreau's playmaking ability paired with Monahan's finish should be a good combination. Mono has been using his size effectively around the net and in the corners which should create some space for his linemates. It might take them awhile to get some chemistry going but I think this is a good fit with our current lineup.

[Poe969]

I wish there was a way to vote for the last 2 together. I think Monahan is a better all around player and that will help the other 2 but I also think they'll help him score more too.

[jaginla]

It will take a few games before I think they are in full swing. We have seen some nice Gaudreau to Monahan feeds already so the potential is certainly there. Did Hudler play with Monahan last year?

[Lanny_McDonald]

This may work, but I don't think Monahan is quick enough or creative enough to work with well with Gaudreau and Hudler. I think Monahan and Hudler would be effective with Baertschi or Ferland, but I think in the future Gaudreau will find his groove with Bennett and Poirier. That top six actually makes me kinda giddy.

[Vinny01]

I think if this line stays together Monahan will top 25 goals this year. He will get sheltered at home but I don't think the line will get punished on the road. All 3 are defensively responsible and they are all smart players.

I think in 1-2 months people will be talking about how the Flames have a legit first line

[Parallex]

I'm not sure I'd characterize Gaudreau and Hudler as guys that would rather pass then shoot. They're pretty adept at both.

If the question is do I think the line will work, then the answer is yes. The overall level of talent is higher (the wingers get a better center and the center gets better wingers) & Mikael Backlund returning is going to take a lot of pressure off of Monahan.

I don't really think of chemestry as a "who likes to pass + who likes to shoot" equation I think of it more as putting folk together who think the game on the same level and that's a tall order when one line has Johnny Gaudreau on it... but I think Monahan can. On a very basic level of analysis Gaudreau is really good at finding the guy in open ice and Monahan is really good at getting to open ice so it should work.

[Huntingwhale]

I think it will take a couple games to get that chemistry going, but once it gets going Monahan will go on a hot streak. He's probably our best shooter and have a very deceptive accurate shot. With Hudler and Johnny setting him up, he should get quite a few more scoring chances.

[Erick Estrada]

I've been saying for months that Monahan has been saddled with less than optimal wingers for most of the season as he's rarely played with creative wingers. Glencross especially is a poor mix as he's a shooter first and marginal playmaker. It's a lot to expect a breakout in one or two games but if Hartley has the patience to stick with this combination it should pay off in the most dangerous offensive line combination this team can ice.

[Goodlad]

I think Monahan's foot speed is greatly improved compared to last season. I'd say it's comparable to Hudler's at this point. Obviously Gaudreau is going to have a step on them, but I don't see Sean slowing them down any.

[Buff]

Monahan and Gaudreau have already shown a bit of chemistry together in the brief moments that they were on the ice together. I think they'll be able to work something out, especially with Hudler on that line. It will be dangerous for opposition.

[CsInMyBlood]

I would rather see Backlund with Johnny and Hudler, mostly because we have seen Backlund with Glencross on numerous occasions throughout the years and it NEVER EVER works well.

Also it seems Gaudreau and Hudler can make any center work with them (Jooris, Granlund) so I'm not sure putting Monahan on that line maximizes what the other line combos could be. Monahan does have that hard heavy shot however so maybe it will be magic with him being fed perfect passes.

That said, if it doesn't work we have a glut of centers that can slide in there.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I've been saying for months that Monahan has been saddled with less than optimal wingers for most of the season as he's rarely played with creative wingers. Glencross especially is a poor mix as he's a shooter first and marginal playmaker. It's a lot to expect a breakout in one or two games but if Hartley has the patience to stick with this combination it should pay off in the most dangerous offensive line combination this team can ice.

Agreed.

I think if Monahan can keep his stick on the ice, like he did in Florida in early November, he has the wingers to hit his tape.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

I would rather see Backlund with Johnny and Hudler, mostly because we have seen Backlund with Glencross on numerous occasions throughout the years and it NEVER EVER works well.

Also it seems Gaudreau and Hudler can make any center work with them (Jooris, Granlund) so I'm not sure putting Monahan on that line maximizes what the other line combos could be. Monahan does have that hard heavy shot however so maybe it will be magic with him being fed perfect passes.

That said, if it doesn't work we have a glut of centers that can slide in there.

Did you not listen to the panel during last game? We NEED a center on this team. I'm expecting a trade for Vermette any second now.

[Lumby Lager]

As mentioned earlier I feel it is both option 3 & 4, given a chance this combination could thrive. All three players think the game at a high level and bring different and complimentary skills into the equation.

[Gaskal]

I wanted to vote C and D at the same time, but very pleased they're close.

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by Buff

Did you not listen to the panel during last game? We NEED a center on this team. I'm expecting a trade for Vermette any second now.

Hahaha, I totally forgot about that. Yeah, I actually did watch it and was just floored. Healy is such an idiot. How about doing some research on the team you are talking about before saying something so stupid. Oh yeah, it's Healy, nuff said.

Monahan, Backlund, Granlund, Byron, Bouma, Stajan, Jooris, Colborne, Bennett.

Yes Glenn, as you can see we certainly need Vermette.

Good eye.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

Hahaha, I totally forgot about that. Yeah, I actually did watch it and was just floored. Healy is such an idiot. How about doing some research on the team you are talking about before saying something so stupid. Oh yeah, it's Healy, nuff said.

Monahan, Backlund, Granlund, Byron, Bouma, Stajan, Jooris, Colborne, Bennett.

Yes Glenn, as you can see we certainly need Vermette.

Good eye.

None of those guys are bonafide 1st line centeremen. RIGHT NOW. Give it two years and you'll see Monahan and Bennett as 1a and 1b (or 1b and 1a) and Backlund as your 3rd pivot... Granlund and Colborne will likely be on the roster but playing wing and used as very ample fill ins during injuries... Sportsnet would still find somebody to say that the Flames have been looking for center depth.

[jaginla]

Originally Posted by Buff

None of those guys are bonafide 1st line centeremen. RIGHT NOW. Give it two years and you'll see Monahan and Bennett as 1a and 1b (or 1b and 1a) and Backlund as your 3rd pivot... Granlund and Colborne will likely be on the roster but playing wing and used as very ample fill ins during injuries... Sportsnet would still find somebody to say that the Flames have been looking for center depth.

neither is vermette

[ForeverFlameFan]

Glencross and Monahan were great on a line when we needed a two way game going. Now that Backlund is back, it releases the "shutdown" center pressure we needed from Monahan (since Stajan was out as well). Now, Monahan can focus a little bit more on his offensive game while incorporating the defensive skills he's developed from the absence of Backlund. And what better way spark your offense by centering the two best wingers on the team?

I voted yes on the chemistry working out, sometimes Hudler and Gaudreau don't shoot enough; Monahan will if they won't.