Sean Monahan. Consistent performer from season to season.

[calgaryblood]

I really don't see the stats posted as a positive, to me he doesn't seem to be ready to start the season which is a concern.

I'm glad he's been consistent in heating up at the same time every year but it would be nicer if he just started off the year good as well. Those first 15-20 games could be the difference between playoffs and no playoffs.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Well he wasn't ready to start the season, he had a lingering back injury that kept him out of training camp and all preseason games.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Mike F

So you're fine with him being a 60 point guy? When, as you said, he hit 60 points in his 2nd year, my hopes were for that to be his starting point, not end point.

Again, I'm being something of a devil's advocate, and even with this year being somewhat disappointing, I'm not down on Monahan. But I do hope that he's pushing himself, and being pushed by those around him, to strive to be a top 5 centre year in and year out, not just a 10 to 15 guy.

Yeah, I'm fine with it 60+ point player when he's hitting 30 goals and has a rounded game.

Top 10-15 centers is elite, you're under selling that mark. No one is really top 5 year in and year out. In a league with Crosby, Thornton, Malkin, Getzlaf, Toews, Stamkos, Kopitar, Tavares, Sequin, Giroux, Backstrom, McDavid etc being consistently in the top five is unrealistic.

[FanIn80]

What exactly does it mean when "Stupid" thanks a post?

[djsFlames]

The way he's looked like the past couple games is the centre I had envisioned Sean being for the team. Shooting from everywhere, driving possession into high danger areas, demonstrating his smarts over 200ft.

If he finds it in him to start as strong as he finishes seasons, he'll have a couple PPG seasons in him.

[Brewmaster]

Monahan has been remarkably consistent in scoring goals since coming into the league. He has a combination of a deadly shot, soft hands, and a sense of positioning that very few players can match.

That being said, he seemingly lacks intensity and plays a bit soft compared to other guys his size. I think the majority of the criticism he gets stems from this, with an expectation that a Canadian born 6'+ center should play with more physicality than Monahan has shown. It would be nice to see him show a bit of a mean streak, especially given that he wears an 'A' and plays alongside Johnny most of the time.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

The way he's looked like the past couple games is the centre I had envisioned Sean being for the team. Shooting from everywhere, driving possession into high danger areas, demonstrating his smarts over 200ft.

If he finds it in him to start as strong as he finishes seasons, he'll have a couple PPG seasons in him.

I don`t think that Monahan will ever produce a point/game season, and I have no problem with that. There are several excellent top-line centres who never break 70-75 points.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Brewmaster

...That being said, he seemingly lacks intensity and plays a bit soft compared to other guys his size. I think the majority of the criticism he gets stems from this, with an expectation that a Canadian born 6'+ center should play with more physicality than Monahan has shown. It would be nice to see him show a bit of a mean streak, especially given that he wears an 'A' and plays alongside Johnny most of the time.

Joe Thornton was oft criticized for lacking intensity to match his size. It doesn't come naturally for some players, but good players manage to overcome their shortcomings to be successful. I'm not terribly worried about this aspect in Monahan's game.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I don`t think that Monahan will ever produce a point/game season, and I have no problem with that. There are several excellent top-line centres who never break 70-75 points.

Yep, one just got recognized as one of the best 100 players to ever play the game and has only hit 70 points once in his career.

[automaton 3]

Oddly enough, Monahan had a 10 game suspension in junior.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Joe Thornton was oft criticized for lacking intensity to match his size. It doesn't come naturally for some players, but good players manage to overcome their shortcomings to be successful. I'm not terribly worried about this aspect in Monahan's game.

Monahan seems more like Jeff Carter like if intensity to me

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

I'd be interested in knowing how many 22 year-olds have scored 100 NHL goals so far.

Article on NHL.com today that Monahan is one goal away from being the youngest in Flames history to hit 100 goals.

https://www.nhl.com/news/sean-monaha...es/c-286431610

[stemit14]

The criticism of Monahan st the start of the season reminded me of the same criticism iginla faced year after year with his slow starts. Especially in the last 3-4 years he was with Calgary. Every November people would be saying he's washed up and it would be the year he doesn't score 30... but he always seemed to find his game and produce.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Flash Walken]

Please, no more comparisons between Monahan and Iginla.

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Yeah, I'm fine with it 60+ point player when he's hitting 30 goals and has a rounded game.

Top 10-15 centers is elite, you're under selling that mark. No one is really top 5 year in and year out. In a league with Crosby, Thornton, Malkin, Getzlaf, Toews, Stamkos, Kopitar, Tavares, Sequin, Giroux, Backstrom, McDavid etc being consistently in the top five is unrealistic.

I think Monahan has the pedigree to be included in the group you listed, which he isn't yet (except for Toews, none of the guys you listed consistently ends up in the 60 point range), and won't be if his approach is to see 60 points, somewhere in the top 15 centres, as good enough.

I guarantee every guy you listed goes into every season aiming to be a top 5 centre. They might not always get there, but that's their goal

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

Article on NHL.com today that Monahan is one goal away from being the youngest in Flames history to hit 100 goals.

https://www.nhl.com/news/sean-monaha...es/c-286431610

That is quite impressive. Not as impressive as Nieuwendyk's (since Joe was 21 in his rookie season), but still quite impressive nonetheless.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Mike F

I think Monahan has the pedigree to be included in the group you listed, which he isn't yet (except for Toews, none of the guys you listed consistently ends up in the 60 point range), and won't be if his approach is to see 60 points, somewhere in the top 15 centres, as good enough.

I guarantee every guy you listed goes into every season aiming to be a top 5 centre. They might not always get there, but that's their goal

What a weird post. Do you honestly believe Monahan does not enter every season with the expectation and drive to be the best he can be?

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Please, no more comparisons between Monahan and Iginla.

They both have dark hair.

They both started their careers with the Calgary Flames.

They're both Canadian.

[IgiTang]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

I think the reason he was so lambasted around here is that when he's not scoring he's invisible. No nice defensive plays, no hits, no shots, nothing. When he's got his confidence back he's great, but he's going to have to figure out how to contribute when he's not scoring if he wants to be that elite center we need.

Thats the issue though.. a 22 year old top line Center that made the jump right from major junior and has had some consistency issues, which should not surprise anyone and in fact should be expected. And people pile on a silly comment about him being moved.. The usual suspects mind you..

Just like we should be moving Sam Bennett.

But i think Monahan has been solid in his own end for most of the season and his lack of physicality for the much of the season is more likely due to his back issue and his lack of confidence in the back, perhaps shying away from contact at times to avoid a re-injury.

But what is with his fist pump after he scores? I get the feeling hes mocking someone or there is an inside joke.

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

What a weird post. Do you honestly believe Monahan does not enter every season with the expectation and drive to be the best he can be?

I don't know, and I never said anything about what I think his personal expectations actually are other than "I do hope that he's pushing himself, and being pushed by those around him, to strive to be a top 5 centre year in and year out, not just a 10 to 15 guy". But it does seem like some on this board are setting their expectations for him lower than that, accepting 60 points as fine production on an ongoing basis, which is what I'm arguing against.