[News] Monahan knows what's on the line this season: 'I have a lot to prove'

[Macho0978]

Monahan has been ok especially defensively but Ruzicka slotted with Mangiapane and Toffolli showed what having someone who can create do for this team.

Monahan is ok but not 6.3 mil good. If it takes a pick to move him why not look at it now rather than off season and get a good rental added? This team is a contender now with Toffolli. This is our shot at a cup I’d like to see it done now

[BigRed]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

If it takes a pick to move him why not look at it now rather than off season and get a good rental added? This team is a contender now with Toffolli. This is our shot at a cup I’d like to see it done now

I think Monahan gets too little credit. He's not a huge difference maker on the ice anymore but you have to give him credit for nutting up and taking whatever role he's been given, and giving maximum effort.

Yes he's overpaid and yes he's not scoring, but he's still a member of the leadership group, is good buddies with the team's top players, and is a good team guy. He's also far better than whoever steps in to replace him -- Gawdin? Richardson? -- so why bother?

Shipping him out now upsets chemistry at exactly the wrong time. This is a team that's gelling big time. Don't do anythign to get in the way of that.

[dammage79]

Monahan IMO, is the already baked in "vet" you acquire to drag along in a cup run. Guys been the top tier pro here his whole career. He knows he may be used up but he's been effective in his role under Sutter.

We got the best of monny for his whole career. He's done some real magic more years than not. I just don't think he's a piece you casually toss away even in this cap world of what have you done for me lately.

His status will be dealt with in the offseason. Unless he asks for a trade before the deadline. At least then the locker room will be prepped for his departure.

It's not easy for me to let monny go but it's looking like it's time. Don't think he's coming back to what he once was.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by BigRed

Yes he's overpaid and yes he's not scoring, but he's still a member of the leadership group, is good buddies with the team's top players, and is a good team guy.

The first sign that some is overpaid and not producing is putting the “good in the locker room “ tag on him.

We even use it in the office to describe employees who are done.

[PeteMoss]

His contract is what it is and something to worry about in the off-season. As long as he plays ok and can fill a 3rd/4th line centre role right now - its fine. Constantly complaining about it isn't going to make his pay cheques any cheaper.

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

The first sign that some is overpaid and not producing is putting the “good in the locker room “ tag on him.

We even use it in the office to describe employees who are done.

Yeah, its pretty sad when best defense of Monahan is, "We cant get rid of him, because the locker room!"

I don't think so. You think any of the guys that have had to drag his corpse around the ice are excited to have him as their center? Like seriously would anybody choose to play with Sean Monahan if they had their choice?

Ruzicka, a rookie who has been benched for the last couple of games showed more chemistry/competence with Toffoli in one game than Monahan has in ten.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Monahan IMO, is the already baked in "vet" you acquire to drag along in a cup run. Guys been the top tier pro here his whole career. He knows he may be used up but he's been effective in his role under Sutter.

We got the best of monny for his whole career. He's done some real magic more years than not. I just don't think he's a piece you casually toss away even in this cap world of what have you done for me lately.

His status will be dealt with in the offseason. Unless he asks for a trade before the deadline. At least then the locker room will be prepped for his departure.

It's not easy for me to let monny go but it's looking like it's time. Don't think he's coming back to what he once was.

The team isn’t good enough to have a drag along vet, let alone at $6m. More comments from Sutter after the game leads me to thinking a center acquisition at deadline is still in the cards.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

The team isn’t good enough to have a drag along vet, let alone at $6m. More comments from Sutter after the game leads me to thinking a center acquisition at deadline is still in the cards.

I think team is plenty good. But I also think the comments were aimed at telling Ruzicka he’s got a shot if he wants to take it.

I bet they are willing to go with an overpriced bottom and deal with it in the off-season. Partly because I can’t see a deadline centre deal that makes sense.

[Macho0978]

I know a lot people were saying the same thing but I was a huge fan of chasing toffolli because I felt he was a perfect fit. Same reasons I think Hertl would be a great fit. Big and plays with some jam and wins face offs and can play well not on the first line. Very good playoff numbers.

Monahan plus for Hertl. Worried about what assets it will take but the flsmes are only good enough every decade or 2 so imo we should go for it

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

I know a lot people were saying the same thing but I was a huge fan of chasing toffolli because I felt he was a perfect fit. Same reasons I think Hertl would be a great fit. Big and plays with some jam and wins face offs and can play well not on the first line. Very good playoff numbers.

Monahan plus for Hertl. Worried about what assets it will take but the flsmes are only good enough every decade or 2 so imo we should go for it

Hertl will be re-signed. And if not, I'm betting he doesn't waive.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

Monahan has been ok especially defensively but Ruzicka slotted with Mangiapane and Toffolli showed what having someone who can create do for this team.

Monahan is ok but not 6.3 mil good. If it takes a pick to move him why not look at it now rather than off season and get a good rental added? This team is a contender now with Toffolli. This is our shot at a cup I’d like to see it done now

Because we can't afford to spend picks that drunkenly unless we're completely in 'this year or bust mode'. Who is the good rental? Giroux, Hertl, and Forsberg all seem unlikely. If we have a deal for Scheifele or Miller then sure, do whatever it takes, but otherwise we'd be paying a bunch of picks for a lateral(ish) swap that may or may not click, instead of an actual add that pushes Ritchie/Richardson further away from playoff ice.

Most other decent rentals (Jarnkrok, Johansson, Copp, Stastny, etc.) can probably be managed without having to move Monahan.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I think team is plenty good. But I also think the comments were aimed at telling Ruzicka he’s got a shot if he wants to take it.

I bet they are willing to go with an overpriced bottom and deal with it in the off-season. Partly because I can’t see a deadline centre deal that makes sense.

No matter which way you slice it, Sutter isn’t happy with production out of our number 3C. If not addressed it’s a hole in our bottom 6, and a pretty sizeable one.

I like Ruzicka but don’t have faith that Sutter will have the patience to let that fully materialize. I don’t think you chase the top end centres, but think there are some unheralded names out there that would be better suited to flank Toffoli.

[BigRed]

Landing a versatile player like Jarnkrok to see who he can push down - or out of - the lineup would be great. A depth D would be a smart add too. But Flames already landed their big fish in Toffoli. I’d avoid disrupting the lineup in any major way at this point. Unless it’s to trade our UFA’s, like Gaudreau. <ducks>


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[BigRed]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

No matter which way you slice it, Sutter isn’t happy with production out of our number 3C.

Every C not named Lindholm has underperformed offensively this year. Even Backlund isn’t having his customary hot second half. But I don’t see us landing a 2/3C before the deadline. The team is winning, so something’s working in spite of it all.


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[howard_the_duck]

Not a sexy name but someone like Derick Brassard is even interesting.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

No matter which way you slice it, Sutter isn’t happy with production out of our number 3C. If not addressed it’s a hole in our bottom 6, and a pretty sizeable one.

I like Ruzicka but don’t have faith that Sutter will have the patience to let that fully materialize. I don’t think you chase the top end centres, but think there are some unheralded names out there that would be better suited to flank Toffoli.

I don't see any that aren't priced out, considering what the Flames currently have on the roster and are available at a palatable price. I mean, everyone talks about Jarnkrok but he's a career high 16 goal man, and I actually don't think the bottom 6 centres are too bad defensively. I don't think he moves the needle that much. This year he's doing well, but he's mainly been with Gourde, who's very good (speaking which I'm not even sure he's been the centre).

[Mathgod]

Originally Posted by BigRed

Every C not named Lindholm has underperformed offensively this year. Even Backlund isn’t having his customary hot second half. But I don’t see us landing a 2/3C before the deadline. The team is winning, so something’s working in spite of it all.

This team's top 4 forwards have been so dominant this year that they're hiding glaring deficiencies in the bottom 8. Toffoli seems to be coming on strong, so it appears that 5 forwards are doing all the heavy lifting offensively for this club.

An upgrade at #3C could be the move that wins this team the cup. Let's see if Ruzicka can be that guy. If not, maybe another move is in the cards.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

No matter which way you slice it, Sutter isn’t happy with production out of our number 3C. If not addressed it’s a hole in our bottom 6, and a pretty sizeable one.

I like Ruzicka but don’t have faith that Sutter will have the patience to let that fully materialize. I don’t think you chase the top end centres, but think there are some unheralded names out there that would be better suited to flank Toffoli.

I think the other thing to consider is what happens in the case of injury (we've been very lucky so far).

Losing one of the top 5 wingers would suck, but our top 6 could remain fairly strong.

Losing one of Lindholm or Backlund for any length of time would be scary.

I feel a bit better about 13/19 carrying 23's corpse around if it became necessary, but it's actually harder to fathom a replacement for Backlund. Most of the plausible rentals (Jarnkrok, Johansson, Copp, Stastny, etc) would be better than Monahan there, but if Monahan can find any semblance of his former self, you could also conceivably bump Lindholm into Backlund's spot, but give Lindholm extra shifts with the big line whenever possible.

I suppose the hope would be that Monahan at 1C (undesirable as that is) and a Jarnkrok-type at 3C would be better than a Jarnkrok type at 1/2C and Monahan at 3/4C.

Presuming his acquisition cost is a bit cheaper than the other 3 guys I mentioned, I think Johansson might be the most versatile. Copp is the most intriguing to me, but I suspect he would also cost the most.

[Beatle17]

Originally Posted by Mathgod

This team's top 4 forwards have been so dominant this year that they're hiding glaring deficiencies in the bottom 8. Toffoli seems to be coming on strong, so it appears that 5 forwards are doing all the heavy lifting offensively for this club.

An upgrade at #3C could be the move that wins this team the cup. Let's see if Ruzicka can be that guy. If not, maybe another move is in the cards.

Now show us another team that is any different.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I don't see any that aren't priced out, considering what the Flames currently have on the roster and are available at a palatable price. I mean, everyone talks about Jarnkrok but he's a career high 16 goal man, and I actually don't think the bottom 6 centres are too bad defensively. I don't think he moves the needle that much. This year he's doing well, but he's mainly been with Gourde, who's very good (speaking which I'm not even sure he's been the centre).

I don't think any of Jarnkrok, Copp, Stastny, or Johansson have played much centre in the last few years (Johansson probably has to most recent experience). The aforementioned Swedes are both bad at faceoffs.

I'm not sure if whether we need a winger who can play C or a C or can play on the wing?

It seems like especially slim pickings down the middle this year. Travis Boyd and Cody Eakin are among the few guys I see available who have actually been playing C regularly.

For the off-season, it may be tough to find good 3/4/5C's to replace Monahan and Richardson...not many guys expiring off of playoff teams, so it'll likely have to be through trade.