Our 6th Overall Pick: Elias Lindholm or Sean Monahan?

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

For those that think Button having Monahan means we are a lock to pick him, remember he didn't have us taking Jankowski last year.

He had Jankowski going to New Jersey, a team that is stated to have been really high on him.

http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=9832

He did however have Jankowski ranked at 14 on his final draft rankings. So hard to say if his list was a "tip" on what the Flames were thinking last year, or just a coincidence.

Although he did have them taking Pouliot. Who knows, maybe Pouliot was higher on their list (he ended up going 8th overall).

EDIT: Actually, looks like the Calgary pick in that particular mock draft was made by Pierre McGuire.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Neither player is likely to step into the league and excel immediately. That's reserved for the guys in the top 3-4.

like Skinner?

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

like Skinner?

I did say "likely", it's not out of the question entirely.

[Hockey_Ninja]

After thinking about it a lot i'm starting to lean more and more towards Monahan. The guy has all of the tools to be a top line center. The reason i underlined the word center is because Monahan for sure will be a center at the NHL level. I know Lindholm has more upside but i have a feeling that he might be a winger in the NHL, which isn't a bad thing at all (we need RW's too) but i'd much rather get the player that will for sure 100% be a center in the NHL. Still wouldn't be upset with Lindholm at all. He looks great.

[Ashasx]

I don't know why you think that. Lindholm plays like an NHL centre.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I don't know why you think that. Lindholm plays like an NHL centre.

Swedish posters on HF who have watched him all last year have stated that he played on the wing for the full season. I know it's a small concern but it should be something to take into consideration when evaluating each player. As far as tools go, Monahan has the better tools for a center in the NHL but Lindholm's skill seat is obviously better. For a team like the Flames both players would be a big piece to add so i hope Edmonton likes a late round player more and makes a deal for our other first lol.

[Mitch]

It's common for young players coming into an older league to play the wing to adapt to the league instead of trying to make the player worry about the defensive responsibilities of a center right away. Jankowski played the left wing in the NCAA all year to do just that. Not saying I know anything about the whole Lindholm situation, but if he's playing the wing then that's my best guess as to why.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Neither player is likely to step into the league and excel immediately. That's reserved for the guys in the top 3-4.

Just saying that Couturier is going to be a good but not great player that will probably top out as a 2nd line centre. I think the Flames need to shoot higher.

[Beatle17]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Just saying that Couturier is going to be a good but not great player that will probably top out as a 2nd line centre. I think the Flames need to shoot higher.

Interesting take. Why do you assume Couturier is going to top out as a 2nd line centre? Is that because of where he currently plays on the Flyers? Why does he play where he is on the Flyers and in what way is that hampering his chances to put up the points that you figure is needed for him to become a 1st line center?

I am just curious for your take on this player (Couturier) and how you are comparing him to the 2 players in the discussion. I am also asking as I have my own theories of why Couturier is where he is at, and what his future position will be on the Flyers versus what type of player he would be on another team in the league.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Beatle17

Interesting take. Why do you assume Couturier is going to top out as a 2nd line centre? Is that because of where he currently plays on the Flyers? Why does he play where he is on the Flyers and in what way is that hampering his chances to put up the points that you figure is needed for him to become a 1st line center?

I am just curious for your take on this player (Couturier) and how you are comparing him to the 2 players in the discussion. I am also asking as I have my own theories of why Couturier is where he is at, and what his future position will be on the Flyers versus what type of player he would be on another team in the league.

He was one of those big kids that was almost a year older than other players in the draft year that didn't really improve in his last season of junior wich is a red flag and why his stock dropped. Also his skating is just adequate. It's just my opinion but to me he looks like an ideal 2nd line center because he's talented and has a good two way game but maybe not the elite skills you would ideally want from your 1st lind center. Not saying he's a bad player because he's going to be a good player but you can't deny there are some similarities between he and Monahan and that's why I lean to Lindholm because of the higher potential upside. I would still be happy if Monahan was picked because he would be immediately the best center prospect the organization has had in decades but Lindholm from what I have read it a better offensive talent and my belief is you always take the more offensively gifted guy when you are picking between two closely matched players.

[AltaGuy]

I agree with Estrada - the higher offensive upside is important to have in our pick.

On Chicago you have an example of this - Toews and Bolland are both very good defensive centers. But one of them has exponentially higher value because of the offence.

Of course, that is why I'm still hoping we somehow, someway get Barkov - because he could potentially end up having the greatest offensive abilities in this draft.

[Beatle17]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

He was one of those big kids that was almost a year older than other players in the draft year that didn't really improve in his last season of junior wich is a red flag and why his stock dropped. Also his skating is just adequate. It's just my opinion but to me he looks like an ideal 2nd line center because he's talented and has a good two way game but maybe not the elite skills you would ideally want from your 1st lind center. Not saying he's a bad player because he's going to be a good player but you can't deny there are some similarities between he and Monahan and that's why I lean to Lindholm because of the higher potential upside. I would still be happy if Monahan was picked because he would be immediately the best center prospect the organization has had in decades but Lindholm from what I have read it a better offensive talent and my belief is you always take the more offensively gifted guy when you are picking between two closely matched players.

Excellent points. I personally look at Monahan as a Couturier type player and I see that he could play in the NHL immediately because his defensive play would allow him to learn the NHL game immediately. Being a Flyers fan I see Couturier with the potential to be a first line center in the future once he is given the opportunity to play with more offensive players but currently playing behind Giroux and Schenn he is slowly developing that part of his game, he may have to move to another team, like Jordan Staal to ever reach that potential. Whichever of these guys the Flames pick will have to play higher up the line up and I hope the fans aren't too impatient if the offensive game is lagging for the first couple of years.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by AltaGuy

I agree with Estrada - the higher offensive upside is important to have in our pick.

On Chicago you have an example of this - Toews and Bolland are both very good defensive centers. But one of them has exponentially higher value because of the offence.

Of course, that is why I'm still hoping we somehow, someway get Barkov - because he could potentially end up having the greatest offensive abilities in this draft.

Some people seem to be of the impression that Monahan doesn't have a lot of offensive upside, that he is more of a McNeil type pick.

I think that is a mistake, though it's all just opinions at this point.

[Miniac]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Neither player is likely to step into the league and excel immediately. That's reserved for the guys in the top 3-4.

But in any other draft Monahan and Lindolm would be in the top 3-5. It all really depends on training camp and preseason play.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Some people seem to be of the impression that Monahan doesn't have a lot of offensive upside, that he is more of a McNeil type pick.

I think that is a mistake, though it's all just opinions at this point.

I don't think anyone has compared him to McNiel or is discounting his offensive skills. It's just that Lindholm by most accounts has more offensive upside and this thread is comparing the two players.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I don't think anyone has compared him to McNiel or is discounting his offensive skills. It's just that Lindholm by most accounts has more offensive upside and this thread is comparing the two players.

Actually, a lot of posters have made comments about him being more of a two-way guy, with less offensive upside, etc. And McNeil's name has been mentioned.

I would remind people that he almost made the WJ team as an under-ager, something that doesn't happen often. And it was a year with the team stacked due to the lockout. And there were two other, extremely talented guys (MacKinnon and Drouin) in the same boat as him, seriously diminishing his chances.

Despite those odds, he was the last forward cut (or one of them, anyway).

I would also point out the chart comparing his season with other Cs in the OHL over the last number of years (posted earlier). His numbers compare quite well, despite a complete lack of talent to play with.

Lindholm seems to be granted the more offensively talented by the majority of scouts, but my point is that some posters seem to be suggesting that the difference between the two may be greater than it actually is.

Suggesting that he may be more of a 2nd line, two-way C is under-valuing him relative to where he should be viewed, IMO (based on his rankings with the scouts now and throughout the year, and their overall comments on him)

[Flames_F.T.W]

While I think I'm leaning slightly more towards Lindholm, I think the Flames will take Monahan. With the emphasis and need to get grittier and bigger, Monahan certainly fits the bill. When I think of some of our top 6 forwards, now and in the future (Baertschi, Hudler, Cammalleri, Gaudreau, etc..), it couldn't hurt drafting bigger players like Monahan.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

THN's Top 10:

1. Jones
2. Drouin
3. MacKinnon
4. Lindholm
5. Nichushkin
6. Barkov
7. Monahan
8. Nurse
9. Lazar
10. Pulock

[AC]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

THN's Top 10:

1. Jones
2. Drouin
3. MacKinnon
4. Lindholm
5. Nichushkin
6. Barkov
7. Monahan
8. Nurse
9. Lazar
10. Pulock

Yes please.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

6. Barkov