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

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Would waivers for buyout (knocking off 4M in cap this year) then sending an asset for Jarnkrok make sense to any one else?

C’mon, there are no buyouts during the season. Do you really know so little, or are you just trolling.

[Manhattanboy]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

C’mon, there are no buyouts during the season. Do you really know so little, or are you just trolling.

The hell kind of an answer is that?

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Reminds me of certain poster

It’s all about posters on this site? Are you tired of attacking other posters yet?

Of course you can’t dispute Monahan’s lack of positive contributions

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Might be time for Monahan to rest. It has been a rough stretch of games. 6 shots in his last 6 games and just nothing good happening for him.

I thought he was good against Edmonton and should have had a couple assists. Tonight was not good, though the one shift made it look a lot worse than it was overall.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Looch just needs rest.

Monahan might be done though.

Can we afford a -15 center on an overwhelmingly + team when we're trying to make a deep run?

To me it’s a no but is not as easy as burying him. The human element to getting rid of Monahan with this leadership core would not sit well and be too risky to disrupt the chemistry.

With that said I think they absolutely need more out of the center spot and need desperately to introduce some competition, because it’ll be exploited at some point in a playoff matchup.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I thought he was good against Edmonton and should have had a couple assists. Tonight was not good, though the one shift made it look a lot worse than it was overall.

If Gaudreau had an assist every time he made a good pass, he would have 800 points this season.

On pace for 32 points, 4 ES goals, minus 15, take your pick. There is just no number or data that supports Monahan is trending positively.

Sutter gave him all that PP1 time this year which could have helped him gain some confidence and production. I liked that approach but it has not borne fruit.

Since he isn't earning better linemates or more ice time, maybe a week off would help. He's not going anywhere this season so this should be about prepping him for the playoffs.

Hard to know what to do really. Thankfully team is playing great so it's a high class problem.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

If Gaudreau had an assist every time he made a good pass, he would have 800 points this season.

On pace for 32 points, 4 ES goals, minus 15, take your pick. There is just no number or data that supports Monahan is trending positively.

Sutter gave him all that PP1 time this year which could have helped him gain some confidence and production. I liked that approach but it has not borne fruit.

Since he isn't earning better linemates or more ice time, maybe a week off would help. He's not going anywhere this season so this should be about prepping him for the playoffs.

Hard to know what to do really. Thankfully team is playing great so it's a high class problem.

Well, of course. But are you saying he was bad in the Edmonton game? He just wasn’t - that line was pretty good. I don’t think it’s correct he’s on some direct line linear slide. Obviously this year isn’t going like we hoped. But I still see him doing some good things (and not getting much out of it).

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

It’s all about posters on this site? Are you tired of attacking other posters yet?

Of course you can’t dispute Monahan’s lack of positive contributions

Must be a tough time for you having to work so hard to find something to complain about during a great stretch for the team

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by loosecannon3

What happened to Monahan? Why is he so bad now?

Lost his linemate Johnny Gaudreau. It's by far the biggest reason why is struggling right now. I mean, is it fair to assume that the NHL's primary points and even strength point producer could help turn Sean Monahan from what he is right now into an actual formidable scorer? If I replaced Johnny's name with Connor McDavid instead, would anyone bat an eye?

I know some people think it's injuries to his hips or his wrists, but didn't he rifle that blistering shot past Hellebuyck a couple weeks ago? Seems like there's still plenty of velocity on that shot of his. His skating also looks just fine, he's getting to the places he needs to be, he just lacks the necessary weapons in his arsenal to make things happen on his own now, which has always been his problem.

For me, I like to use his faceoff% as a bit of a gauge to his health. So it's Over the course of his career, we see that he typically sits around 51% to 52% range. Last year, he battled the hip injury, so it's no surprise to see that his faceoff % drastically fell to 48.99%, a major drop from the usual. In 17-18, I believe that's the season he had the wrist issue, so again, we see his faceoff % drop from the previous season's 51.45% to 50.39%, then rebound back to 51.13 the following season. That brings us to today, he sits at a career high 52.79%, a nearly 4% improvement from last year. Obviously, this isn't a perfect indicator, but there's some correlation in the numbers and it definitely beats the anecdotal stuff that's floating around. Faceoffs also engage the core, hips, wrists, hands and etc, so it does make some sense.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Well, of course. But are you saying he was bad in the Edmonton game? He just wasn’t - that line was pretty good. I don’t think it’s correct he’s on some direct line linear slide. Obviously this year isn’t going like we hoped. But I still see him doing some good things (and not getting much out of it).

Of course he does some good things. He is an NHL player that still has good offensive instincts, those don't disappear. But pointing out a good pass or a good shot seems like a reach in the larger scheme. Yes his slide has been quite linear for about the last three seasons. As I said, I'm not really sure what to do about it. Maybe next season he is more fully recovered from injuries but this team will have no cap room with which to keep him.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Of course he does some good things. He is an NHL player that still has good offensive instincts, those don't disappear. But pointing out a good pass or a good shot seems like a reach in the larger scheme. Yes his slide has been quite linear for about the last three seasons. As I said, I'm not really sure what to do about it. Maybe next season he is more fully recovered from injuries but this team will have no cap room with which to keep him.

Yes, he has to be moved off-season in any event. Even if he is playing better. The three big re-signings dictate that.

Right now, I suspect he’s still better than anyone you can bring in. Despite the hyperbole, as you say he has instincts and he has IQ. The trouble is that if others on his line are also struggling, like Lucic right now, it’s not going to work out well. Now maybe Lucic also works it out - he has before. I suspect Sutter doesn’t keep the kid line together either. They have energy but not a smart game.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by loosecannon3

What happened to Monahan? Why is he so bad now?

Skating. For a team that emphasizes speed and transition, this is where Monahan struggles. He's a guy that will have to go next year if the Flames hope to maintain their salary structure. It is abundantly clear the team needs to clear salary space and Monahan and Lucic are the two easiest targets to clear in some shape or form. Both are falling off a cliff right now as the speed and intensity of games increase.

[agulati]

It is definitely sad to see Monahan be a shell of his former self, but injuries have derailed his career. Was hoping that this season of being finally fit, will give him the chance to work his way back.

Not long for the Flames, and we do need the cap room his salary being moved, will provide.

[Harry Lime]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

Skating. For a team that emphasizes speed and transition, this is where Monahan struggles. He's a guy that will have to go next year if the Flames hope to maintain their salary structure. It is abundantly clear the team needs to clear salary space and Monahan and Lucic are the two easiest targets to clear in some shape or form. Both are falling off a cliff right now as the speed and intensity of games increase.

He is faster than Tkachuk.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

Lost his linemate Johnny Gaudreau. It's by far the biggest reason why is struggling right now. I mean, is it fair to assume that the NHL's primary points and even strength point producer could help turn Sean Monahan from what he is right now into an actual formidable scorer? If I replaced Johnny's name with Connor McDavid instead, would anyone bat an eye?

I know some people think it's injuries to his hips or his wrists, but didn't he rifle that blistering shot past Hellebuyck a couple weeks ago? Seems like there's still plenty of velocity on that shot of his. His skating also looks just fine, he's getting to the places he needs to be, he just lacks the necessary weapons in his arsenal to make things happen on his own now, which has always been his problem.

For me, I like to use his faceoff% as a bit of a gauge to his health. So it's Over the course of his career, we see that he typically sits around 51% to 52% range. Last year, he battled the hip injury, so it's no surprise to see that his faceoff % drastically fell to 48.99%, a major drop from the usual. In 17-18, I believe that's the season he had the wrist issue, so again, we see his faceoff % drop from the previous season's 51.45% to 50.39%, then rebound back to 51.13 the following season. That brings us to today, he sits at a career high 52.79%, a nearly 4% improvement from last year. Obviously, this isn't a perfect indicator, but there's some correlation in the numbers and it definitely beats the anecdotal stuff that's floating around. Faceoffs also engage the core, hips, wrists, hands and etc, so it does make some sense.

There is no question that if he was playing with Johnny and Tkachuk he'd have more points that n]he does now, but Johnny and Tkachuk would have way less points, and Calgary might be a bubble team like last year.

Anyone would get more points being moved to Johnny's line.

But the fact is, one needs to earn their playing time on the top line and PP time. Monny was a detriment to the top line and moving him off it is a major factor in Calgary being such a good team this year.

The face-off percentages which range between 49% to 52% is 3 face-offs per 100 could be attributable to nothing more than random variance. There is likely a fair amount of randomness in actually winning a face-off, otherwise you might find the very best winning 75% or more.

Unless Monny's health improves greatly, he's likely done as anything other than a bottom 6 player.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

Lost his linemate Johnny Gaudreau. It's by far the biggest reason why is struggling right now. I mean, is it fair to assume that the NHL's primary points and even strength point producer could help turn Sean Monahan from what he is right now into an actual formidable scorer? If I replaced Johnny's name with Connor McDavid instead, would anyone bat an eye?

I know some people think it's injuries to his hips or his wrists, but didn't he rifle that blistering shot past Hellebuyck a couple weeks ago? Seems like there's still plenty of velocity on that shot of his. His skating also looks just fine, he's getting to the places he needs to be, he just lacks the necessary weapons in his arsenal to make things happen on his own now, which has always been his problem.

For me, I like to use his faceoff% as a bit of a gauge to his health. So it's Over the course of his career, we see that he typically sits around 51% to 52% range. Last year, he battled the hip injury, so it's no surprise to see that his faceoff % drastically fell to 48.99%, a major drop from the usual. In 17-18, I believe that's the season he had the wrist issue, so again, we see his faceoff % drop from the previous season's 51.45% to 50.39%, then rebound back to 51.13 the following season. That brings us to today, he sits at a career high 52.79%, a nearly 4% improvement from last year. Obviously, this isn't a perfect indicator, but there's some correlation in the numbers and it definitely beats the anecdotal stuff that's floating around. Faceoffs also engage the core, hips, wrists, hands and etc, so it does make some sense.

Gaudreau was a huge factor of course. But I do think his shot is not what it was, and I’m not really talking velocity. Even last year under injury he fired a few hard ones. And he did have a vintage goal not long ago, correct. But I think that the limbs may feel different from game to game and even within a game for him. The whiff the other night and the strip by Ovie last night looked like his wrist strength wasn’t there.

You know - press never asks Sutter bluntly what’s wrong with him. I bet you’d get an interesting answer. Sutter has been supportive but he hasn’t been asked this year.

[foofighter15]

Originally Posted by loosecannon3

What happened to Monahan? Why is he so bad now?

What we are seeing out of Monahan is what happens when you have a player play through multiple surgery level injuries. If they had dealt with them properly at the time he wouldn't have lost so many steps to the point where it takes an entire season to recover or not actually recover at all

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by agulati

It is definitely sad to see Monahan be a shell of his former self, but injuries have derailed his career. Was hoping that this season of being finally fit, will give him the chance to work his way back.

Not long for the Flames, and we do need the cap room his salary being moved, will provide.

It really is a shame when you consider how promising his career started. Seven straight 20+ goal seasons to start an NHL career is no joke and it must be noted he's been a class act and great soldier for the team playing through a lot of injuries. Unfortunately professional sports isn't kind to declining athletes and it's a shame his career with the Flames is ending this way but the team has to do what's best during this window of Stanley Cup opportunity. It doesn't really matter if the decline is due to injuries, skating, early peak, etc, as the reality is that he's turned into a bit of a liability now.

[Sylvanfan]

I still hold onto faint hope that those Men in Suits behind the Flames bench are able to spot something that excuses the team to put him on LTIR for the next 15 months. But unfortunately I don't think shattered Confidence is valid. His contract was painful last year, is really painful right now. Maybe a good summer can get him set up to rope is in with a miracle come back season next year.

[HighLifeMan]

Stylistically the only player in the bottom six on this roster that has the skillset to compliment Monahan is Dube and at the moment both players have absolutely zero confidence. In addition to that the current utilization and roles of these players are not conducive to bringing out the best in their respective skillsets.

Simply put - Monahan is not a fit for this roster as it's currently constructed and at the pace they play at. His best bet would be to play consistently with Mangiapane but Sutter clearly does not want to go down that route - and it's hard to blame him. It also doesn't help that every mistake he seemingly makes ends up in the back of the net. Sean Monahan among all regular players on the roster has the lowest HDCA/60 but ranks dead last in actual goals against among forwards at even strength. To say he has been unlucky is an understatement.