I love the hype and excitement around Monahan but I'm hoping that we're not setting him up for unrealistic expectations. We don't want Phaneuf 2.0 again, where we turned on him as quickly as we praised him.
Biggest difference is Monahan has a much higher hockey IQ and appreciates doing the little things well like winning face offs and playing strong defensively. Phaneuf lacks the smarts and was all about the big shot or big hit
That late 3rd period GWG was Monahan's first shot on net vs a stifling NJ team. Good players have a natural habit of finding the puck when it matters.
Monahan is one of those kind of players. The puck follows him and his chemistry with Baertschi and Stemps is just getting better and better.
They are becoming a deadly combination.
He knows where to go to put himself in the best opportunity to score based on what is happening on a shift.
He has a good indication where the puck is going to end up.
The kid is a winner.
Um can you break that down a little further? Not sure what your meaning.
He's saying that it's ironic (bad use of the word I know) that the winning that was supposed to make is very a worse pick may be responsible for improving our future instead of losing like some wanted
This kid reminds of toews in his rookie season... He got better and better as the season went on. He started making the highlight reals later in the season as his confidence grew but he was a smart hockey player right off the bat who did all the little things just like Monahan is doing. I know it's a high comparison and they both have a long way to go but it makes me hope we have our own toews and Kane with Monahan and baertschi.
Toews makes all kinds of those little plays Monahan made to chip it to Wideman leading to the goal. He's been winning face-offs and playing a simple, smart, effective two-way game much like Tazer and he's cashing on most of his chances with high-end skill. I always have called Toews the new-era Yzerman and I think Monahan, though a long ways away from that ceiling, shows a lot of maturity in his game and could end up being a guy of that caliber for this club.
I don't see it. And I don't see the Toews comparisons people keep making either. I see Eric Staal.
Odd, I don't see Eric Staal, what's your reasoning?
Edit: but I agree I don't see Toews in him much, doesn't seem to be as committed of a net presence as Toews who scores alot of garbage goals. He's also not nearly as good of a skater as Toews.
Odd, I don't see Eric Staal, what's your reasoning?
Edit: but I agree I don't see Toews in him much, doesn't seem to be as committed of a net presence as Toews who scores alot of garbage goals. He's also not nearly as good of a skater as Toews.
Both things Toews has worked on and improved over his first 6 seasons thus far. Mono has been crashing the net quite a bit though... His first career goal was a rebound goal in tight, the spin-o-pass to Stemps was finished off by him continuing to the front of the net and cashing, he grabbed the puck from the player Jiri hit because he was crashing the net and he gave Sven a great feed. All his offense has been coming from within 10 feet of the net.
Positionally he's like Toews, and he doesn't need to skate well if he's constantly in position. Keeping in mind he's young and his skating will improve dramatically. Definitely a comparable to Toews is inline here.
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Odd, I don't see Eric Staal, what's your reasoning?
Edit: but I agree I don't see Toews in him much, doesn't seem to be as committed of a net presence as Toews who scores alot of garbage goals. He's also not nearly as good of a skater as Toews.
They said similar things about Toews' skating when he started out too. It's not that Monahan has everything toews has right now it's that he reminds me a lot of what toews was when he first started in the league. There wasn't a lot of flash or speedy moves during the first part of his rookie year... There was a lot of what we have seen from Monahan: smart plays with and without the puck along with a lot of maturity. As the season went on and he became more and more confident, he began to showcase his skill and started making the highlight reel. I could see the same thing happening with Monahan.
Both things Toews has worked on and improved over his first 6 seasons thus far. Mono has been crashing the net quite a bit though... His first career goal was a rebound goal in tight, the spin-o-pass to Stemps was finished off by him continuing to the front of the net and cashing, he grabbed the puck from the player Jiri hit because he was crashing the net and he gave Sven a great feed. All his offense has been coming from within 10 feet of the net.
I may have a different recollection of Toews. I saw him a junior development camp once and he was one of the best skaters on the ice. Skating has always been a big strength of Toews'.
I just don't see a whole lot of Toews the player in Monahan. The more I think on it the more I like the Linden comparable. Which is high praise btw.
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They said similar things about Toews' skating when he started out too. It's not that Monahan has everything toews has right now it's that he reminds me a lot of what toews was when he first started in the league. There wasn't a lot of flash or speedy moves during the first part of his rookie year... There was a lot of what we have seen from Monahan: smart plays with and without the puck along with a lot of maturity. As the season went on and he became more and more confident, he began to showcase his skill and started making the highlight reel. I could see the same thing happening with Monahan.
I don't think thats right. This beauty was from one of Toew's first games.
Mike Richards had skating knocks. Maybe you are thinking of him? Monahan is more in that mold IMO.
I'd be encouarged by the amount of shots Monahan is getting on net. Like 3 per game? Thats very good for any NHLer, let alone a rookie. If he can keep that up it will be huge.
Last edited by Oil Stain; 10-12-2013 at 04:22 PM.
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