Sean FRICKIN Monahan

[SuperMatt18]

Depends on how the team is doing IMO.

The WJC is more an experience then it is a developmental opportunity.

If team continues its strong play and is still in the thick of things then of course he doesn't go to the WJC. However if the bottom falls out by then and the Flames are in the middle of a long losing stretch it would probably be a good call to send him there.

Allows him to go, win some games, get his confidence up and come back re-energized.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

So is playing in the World Championships. If we make the playoffs, maybe we should send Backlund overseas. Maybe Sven too while we're at it.

Have you been alive for the last 15 years? The world championships mean squat. Nobody cares about that tournament. When Chris Butler plays for team USA, that should be all you need to know about how little that tournament matters.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

Have you been alive for the last 15 years? The world championships mean squat. Nobody cares about that tournament. When Chris Butler plays for team USA, that should be all you need to know about how little that tournament matters.

It means squat for us North Americans. But ask the Europeans if it means squat or not.

Have you been alive the last 15 years? Many Russians and Europeans grew up wanting to win the WC and is probably a bigger deal to them than the Stanley Cup

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by MolsonInBothHands

That's Malson to you!

.... Molsan you mean....

[Fire]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

LOL at people wanting to send Sean to the WJC. The only way he goes to the WJC is if he is sent back to Ottawa or is struggling with the Flames. Both scenarios are not ideal for us Flames fans.

If he is playing meaningful minutes in Calgary, he stays here. Burke or Feaster would not even entertain the idea of sending him to the WJC. It won't even be debated.

Agree 100%. Loaning him to the WJC sends a bad message to the fans and the rest of the team. It says winning NHL games is less important than some junior tournament.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Wolven

He can be sent down to his junior team until Feb.
After 9 NHL games he burns his first year of his ELC.

It would be really silly to burn the year of his ELC and then send him down. You are allowed to do it (until Feb) but I think it would be a complete waste.

Yeah and that's what I was wondering. Especially considering Feasters comments on calling up Baertschi, would he want to temper expectations of Monahan by sending him down at 9 games regardless to avoid him potentially dropping off and having to burn a year of his ELC and sending him down halfway through the season. Just speculation, but to me if it looks like the NHL game is catching up with him and he'd be better served to be sent back, I'd rather see that and a year burned than see him in the pressbox.

Just my opinion, I think people put too much emphasis on potentially burning that year. It's about player development, not about fearing your cap situation 3years down the road. Especially since we're not even close to the cap as is.

[albertGQ]

Flames sent Rico Fata to the WJCs when he was struggling after 20 games with the big club. Its not like he ever turned his career around after winning Gold that year

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

I think you are over simplifying a complex issue. Playing at the WJC could be a huge stepping stone for the rest of his career. That is a pretty meaningful tournament where he can get a lot of experience from. It is a win/win situation in my opinion.

I think you are overcomplicating a simple issue. AlbertGQ is right. If Monahan goes back to Ottawa, or if he/the Flames are pretty much out of it by December, then Sean will go to the WJCs. But if the Flames are playing meaningful games with Monahan in the lineup, he's staying put.

I love the world juniors, but the truth is, he'd play maybe two games against high end talent - at a slower and smaller level than the NHL. From a development standpoint, meaningful NHL games > WJCs.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Fire

Agree 100%. Loaning him to the WJC sends a bad message to the fans and the rest of the team. It says winning NHL games is less important than some junior tournament.

With the amount of people that want picks over a playoff birth I'd say fans already have the wrong message.

This decision would be about Monahan, not the FLames. Do they feel their top prospect can benefit from playing in the tournament? Then yes he should go. And yes it's a step down in competition but there's an intangible to be said for the opportunity to represent your country in a highly visible tournament where he would likely be the captain. You can't measure the type feeling that would give an 18 year old kid. I think it's important for them to go if they can be a difference and win a gold. Remember, Monahans never really had the opportunity to win anything, could be great for him to (potentially) experience winning.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I think you are overcomplicating a simple issue. AlbertGQ is right. If Monahan goes back to Ottawa, or if he/the Flames are pretty much out of it by December, then Sean will go to the WJCs. But if the Flames are playing meaningful games with Monahan in the lineup, he's staying put.

I love the world juniors, but the truth is, he'd play maybe two games against high end talent - at a slower and smaller level than the NHL. From a development standpoint, meaningful NHL games > WJCs.

That's why I said it is a win/win situation. I want him to stay in the NHL but if he does get sent to the WJC, I don't get what the big deal is.

He will be playing meaningful minutes regardless.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by MattyC

With the amount of people that want picks over a playoff birth I'd say fans already have the wrong message.

This decision would be about Monahan, not the FLames. Do they feel their top prospect can benefit from playing in the tournament? Then yes he should go. And yes it's a step down in competition but there's an intangible to be said for the opportunity to represent your country in a highly visible tournament where he would likely be the captain. You can't measure the type feeling that would give an 18 year old kid. I think it's important for them to go if they can be a difference and win a gold. Remember, Monahans never really had the opportunity to win anything, could be great for him to (potentially) experience winning.

If he really wants to win, he can enter a men's rec league in the summer during the off season

If he's playing top 6 minutes in Calgary, he's not going overseas.
I try not to deal with absolutes when I talk about hockey.
But if he's playing meaningful minutes in Calgary, he is NOT playing in the WJCs

[albertGQ]

Let's say the Flames are 5th or 6th in the division around Xmas and are only 4-5 points behind 4th for the last playoff spot.
Sean is playing top 6 minutes and contributing

Why the heck would we take him out of our line up????

[1stLand]

You guys are talking about the wrong things:
- Sending him back to junior
- loaning him to the world juniors

Lets talk about him being a Candidate to make the Olympic Team if he keeps this up!

[djsFlames]

^ Who even knows.. if he continues to up his pace and consistency.

I'd be ecstatic. Definitely would be more invested in the Canadian team.

But in reality, wouldn't hate it if he went to play in the WJCs, not one bit.

[Vinny01]

Send Monahan to the WJC if the Flames are trending down and not really close to a playoff spot which I think is likely. If we are still looking good then obviously you have to keep him with the big club.

I am just so excited about this kid!!

[albertGQ]

1stLand is kidding but there's no way he gets considered for the Canadian team.

Crosby didn't even make team Canada in 2006. And he finished with 102 points (thanks of course to a strong finish

[MisterJoji]

I think there was a conversation about this last year, but for me, personally, I think the WJC's are terribly overrated, especially with TSN shoving it down our throats. Yes, it's a fun tournament and I love when our boys bring home gold, but honestly unless some Flames prospects are involved, I'll just catch the highlights of the round robin, and then will watch the playoffs if I happen to be around when they're on. As far as Monohan is concerned, it will be a step down competition wise compared to the NHL, so where is the benefit of losing one of our top players (if he maintains his high level of play) for 2+ weeks? Also, I think if it's WJC's vs. CHL, most players would choose WJC's. If it's WJC's vs. NHL they'd prefer to stay in the bigs.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

1stLand is kidding but there's no way he gets considered for the Canadian team.

Crosby didn't even make team Canada in 2006. And he finished with 102 points (thanks of course to a strong finish

Was just about to post this. He would have to be on a torrid 200 point pace to unseat some of those guys.

[getbak]

Going back to the 1997-98 season, no 18/19 year-old player who has scored at least 3 goals in his first 9 games to start the season has ever been sent back to his junior team. Monahan has already reached that plateau and isn't even halfway through the 9 games.


One interesting thing from the Flames perspective is that if Monahan stays in Calgary, it increases the chances that Jankowski might make Team Canada with a strong start to his season. For me, that would be the best case scenario because I think making Team Canada helps Jankowski's confidence more than it does Monahan's.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

1stLand is kidding but there's no way he gets considered for the Canadian team.

Crosby didn't even make team Canada in 2006. And he finished with 102 points (thanks of course to a strong finish

Not trying to enter the Monahan Olympic conversation because that's ridiculous.

But to your point, that was a huge mistake and I think Hockey Canada has learned their lesson