Sean Monahan vs Jarome Iginla - Heading into their 24-year old seasons

[Love]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

All three of those players are top-line centres on most teams in the NHL. I would go as far to say that Malkin is the top centre on EVERY NHL team other than Pittsburgh, and maybe Edmonton.

That's exactly my point. Even though they are extreme examples. Me saying that Monahan would be better suited as a 2nd line center is just due to looking at the trend of recent cup winners around the league. If that's the goal, he isn't nearly good enough

[Love]

Originally Posted by the2bears

No wonder you're asking others to define your stance. You can't even keep track of it yourself. You're moving goalposts all over the place.

Not really. I was speaking relatively to other first line centers around the league. Compared to the average player like say a Michael Frolik, he's a shooter and has way better puck skills and instincts, but is slower worse defensively.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Love

That's exactly my point. Even though they are extreme examples. Me saying that Monahan would be better suited as a 2nd line center is just due to looking at the trend of recent cup winners around the league. If that's the goal, he isn't nearly good enough

The trend of Cup winners around the league is to ice two top-line centres. The Flames have one, so I would agree that they could use another. That is different from asserting over and over that Monahan is best suited as a second line centre, and I would counter in that in point of fact he most certainly is good enough to be one of the two on a team with Cup aspirations.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

The trend of Cup winners around the league is to ice two top-line centres. The Flames have one, so I would agree that they could use another. That is different from asserting over and over that Monahan is best suited as a second line centre, and I would counter in that in point of fact he most certainly is good enough to be one of the two on a team with Cup aspirations.

Before LA won the cup I suspect you wouldn't find Kopitar on Love's list of elite centres.

[GreenLantern2814]

Just checking Monahan's progress after 15 games and being named 1st star of the week...

With 18 points in 15 contests, Monahan is on pace for 98 points, which would actually be better than Iggy's 96.

We'll see.

[Iggy Snipe]

I like the comparison between Monahan and Iginla. It goes to show how productive Monahan has been, and is a tribute to his goal scoring abilities. He has a knack for the net, and he has been extremely consistent. Iginla and Monahan both share this attribute.

However the biggest difference in my opinion, is when Iginla came into the league, it was still a game for men. There was way more hitting, way more rough stuff, way more clutching and grabbing. Essentially the game was way slower, and goals were hard to come by. He had to fight through a lot to get to the net, let alone get a shot off. The goaltenders were just as good as they are today, but they had bigger, bulkier equipment as well.

Monahan plays in the new NHL era where the League has basically done everything in their power to maximize goal production. (Smaller goalie equipment, more power plays, penalties are called for coughing on another player). Monahan also has one of the most elusive playmakers in the game playing along side him for his entire career minus his first season, and that is huge for getting high scoring chances.

Either way, Monahan is thriving in this league, and I think its amazing that he can even be compared to Iginla for goal scoring abilities.

Other than scoring goals, Iginla and Monahan are polar opposites on how they played the game.

[Traditional_Ale]

Other than points there is no comparison. Iginla was intimidating, and other players didn't mess with him because he could, and would, beat the crap out of anyone. Has Mony even been in a scrap in his career yet?

[Phagoof]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

Other than points there is no comparison. Iginla was intimidating, and other players didn't mess with him because he could, and would, beat the crap out of anyone. Has Mony even been in a scrap in his career yet?

They actually did the opposite. It was more like don't wake the giant kinda thing. Let him get some shots and hope he doesn't score. Engaging him just kicked his game into a higher gear.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by Diane Phagoof

They actually did the opposite. It was more like don't wake the giant kinda thing. Let him get some shots and hope he doesn't score. Engaging him just kicked his game into a higher gear.

Isn't that kind of what I said?

[GullFoss]

Top two centers by year:

2004: Lecavlier and Richards
2006: Staal and Brind'amour (age 36)
2007: Getzlaf and McDonald
2008: Datsyuk and Zetterberg
2009: Crosby and Malkin
2010: Toews and Sharp
2011: Bergeron and Krejci
2012: Kopitar and Richards
2013: Toews and Handzus/Sharp
2014: Kopitar and Carter
2015: Toews and Richards/Sharp
2016: Crosby and Malkin
2017: Crosby and Malkin
2018: Backstom and Kuznetsov

It helps to have to two top centers. It's not necessary though. I think its probably more accurate two say: you need to lines that can consistently score. And I think having Tkachuk on the second line accomplishes that.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

Top two centers by year:

2004: Lecavlier and Richards
2006: Staal and Brind'amour (age 36)
2007: Getzlaf and McDonald
2008: Datsyuk and Zetterberg
2009: Crosby and Malkin
2010: Toews and Sharp
2011: Bergeron and Krejci
2012: Kopitar and Richards
2013: Toews and Handzus/Sharp
2014: Kopitar and Carter
2015: Toews and Richards/Sharp
2016: Crosby and Malkin
2017: Crosby and Malkin
2018: Backstom and Kuznetsov

It helps to have to two top centers. It's not necessary though. I think its probably more accurate two say: you need to lines that can consistently score. And I think having Tkachuk on the second line accomplishes that.

Sharp played wing and Richard played C, but you are correct. The Hawks could split the offence by putting Kane on a different line.

[GreenLantern2814]

So last time I checked in, Monahan was on pace for 98 points. I regret to inform you all, the young man has regressed since then.

With 38 points in 32 games, Sean Monahan is now on pace for 97 points.

We keep playing games, and 23 keeps going shot for shot with 12. I don't know what else to say other than there's more than one way to skin a cat.

[redforever]

I think a better comparison for Monahan is with Nieuwendyck.

I think Nieuwendyck went to the dirty places in front of the net a bit more than Monahan does.

But when either of them is in that position, they have the soft hands to score almost at will.

I think Nieuwendyck was better at faceoffs.

[Flames1217]

Iggy played with Bums... Imagine prime Iggy and Prime gaudreau. Iggy was also during this point in his career the best player on the planet(24-26 or 27). He was the complete package.

Love Monny and think hes a hell of a good player but Iggy was borderline generational player status which Monny will never be.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Flames1217

Iggy played with Bums... Imagine prime Iggy and Prime gaudreau. Iggy was also during this point in his career the best player on the planet(24-26 or 27). He was the complete package.

Love Monny and think hes a hell of a good player but Iggy was borderline generational player status which Monny will never be.

Agree, Monahan is great and think he does not get enough love at times.

But Iggy definitely was generational. Monahan is not...that is not a knock against him as very few players are generational.

[Huntingwhale]

Iggy would for sure win in a fight against Monahan. Beat his ass so silly, I doubt Monahan even gets a punch in.

However Monahan has a much better hair flow. Drives girls crazy at da club.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by redforever

I think a better comparison for Monahan is with Nieuwendyck...

I don't really think that is the point of this thread.

Originally Posted by Flames1217

...Love Monny and think hes a hell of a good player but Iggy was borderline generational player status which Monny will never be.

Neither is this.

The point of this thread is to track Monahan's production against that of the greatest player ever to play for the Flames. Does this mean that anyone thinks Monahan is or will be as good of a player as Iginla? No. All it means is that he produces at an eerily similar clip for various reasons. It also means that Monahan—while not as good as Iginla—is a damn good player in his own right.

That is all.

[jessnuts]

Why does it feel like a group of Flames fans WANT Monahan to be bad? Similar to Sam Bennett and Mike Smith. Not saying anyone is right or wrong, it just feels like people made a decision about someone, and now they want that person to fail to prove they are smart, rather than wanting that person to succeed and make the Flames better.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by jessnuts

Why does it feel like a group of Flames fans WANT Monahan to be bad? Similar to Sam Bennett and Mike Smith. Not saying anyone is right or wrong, it just feels like people made a decision about someone, and now they want that person to fail to prove they are smart, rather than wanting that person to succeed and make the Flames better.

It's like, five people. They're just loud.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by jessnuts

Why does it feel like a group of Flames fans WANT Monahan to be bad? Similar to Sam Bennett and Mike Smith. Not saying anyone is right or wrong, it just feels like people made a decision about someone, and now they want that person to fail to prove they are smart, rather than wanting that person to succeed and make the Flames better.

I find that Monahan is just criminally underrated.

He isnt overly flashy but hes always where he needs to be and he produces.