[Game Takes] Caps 5 Flames 4 (SO)

[Bingo]

What about Monahan?

I think he was fine, but I'm not sure fine is enough to keep him in the NHL. The kid needs to have the puck more than that to develop.

He was great defensively, noticeably actually ... but he didn't touch the puck a whole lot.

(almost wired the winner on that Baertschi pass late though)

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Bingo

What about Monahan?

I think he was fine, but I'm not sure fine is enough to keep him in the NHL. The kid needs to have the puck more than that to develop.

He was great defensively, noticeably actually ... but he didn't touch the puck a whole lot.

(almost wired the winner on that Baertschi pass late though)

He definately is the first center this franchise has had in a while that looks to be special. He probably could play in the NHL this season and acquit himself well but IMO it would be better for him to have one more year in junior to get stronger and work on his overall game before he's doing it in the NHL on more limited minutes. Like Burke said this week sending a player back to junior has never done anything bad for a player's career.

The organization now has older center prospects in Colborne, Knight and Horak that are probably a little more ready physically to come in and play this season and it would be nice at the end of the year to have a better idea of what they have in these players.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

I do not believe that adding Bouwmeester to this line up instead of Butler or SOB would have done as well.

Wow. Comment of the year.

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by Bingo

What about Monahan?

I think he was fine, but I'm not sure fine is enough to keep him in the NHL. The kid needs to have the puck more than that to develop.

He was great defensively, noticeably actually ... but he didn't touch the puck a whole lot.

(almost wired the winner on that Baertschi pass late though)

This is one of the reasons I hate when young offensive players are put on the "third line". Everyone says that it's so they can work on their defensive game and then complain that we don't have any offensive players. I hated seeing him out there as little as he was and not in as many offensive situations. Someone needs to talk to Hartley and tell him that Monahan needs to be more of an offensive player to be affective. Give him way more offenive FO's and less defensive FO's.

I know it's early, but I don't like Hartley. Not saying he's terrible, just saying why I don't like him. I don't think he likes rookies as much as "proven stars" like.... well older guys. Just my opinion.

[FBI]

I thought he made a bunch of smart little plays.. Same stuff he did in preseason.. Hartley said that he noticed some "Junior" plays by Monahan, not sure which plays he is talking about..

Originally Posted by Bingo

What about Monahan?

I think he was fine, but I'm not sure fine is enough to keep him in the NHL. The kid needs to have the puck more than that to develop.

He was great defensively, noticeably actually ... but he didn't touch the puck a whole lot.

(almost wired the winner on that Baertschi pass late though)

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Bingo

What about Monahan?

I think he was fine, but I'm not sure fine is enough to keep him in the NHL. The kid needs to have the puck more than that to develop.

He was great defensively, noticeably actually ... but he didn't touch the puck a whole lot.

(almost wired the winner on that Baertschi pass late though)

I thought he was very solid for his first game.

But it wasn't enough to stay beyond 9 games - not saying he won't, just saying he would have to do more. Not a criticism, just a fact.

Completely agree about not touching the puck. I remember a study once that found that the average kid has the puck on their stick for 7 seconds in a typical minor hockey game. Whether or not that's accurate is irrelevant, the message is clear.

I would rather see him get lots of ice-time in lots of situations, and have the puck on his stick as much as possible. If they won't give him ice-time in the NHL, send him down.

(I think Baertschi is a bit different because I think he is already NHL-ready and should be getting the ice-time here.)

[Badgers Nose]

It's probably asking to much to want all games to be that entertaining, but it was a promising start for sure.

[Coach]

I didnt see te first so I can't speak to that, but from what I saw really like Baertschis game outside of him passing on some good shooting chances. He seemed to create something everytime he had the puck. And hopefully it gives him the confidence that he CAN do special things at the NHL level and he doesn't need to force it as much as he seems to think. He creates a lot of space for himself.