Should Monahan be released to the WJC

[Poe969]

Ya, but maybe he can go and score 8 goals one game against Usbackestan or somthing and set a record!

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by Poe969

Ya, but maybe he can go and score 8 goals one game against Usbackestan or somthing and set a record!

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Poe969

Ya, but maybe he can go and score 8 goals one game against Usbackestan or somthing and set a record!

or something.

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by Saqe

Just a stupid country name, I'm pretty sure it was on Borat.

Back to the point, I think if he goes he would probably be one of the "big stars" on the team and get used to being the go to guy on the team.

Plus, it would be great for him to build some chemistry with Ekblad...

[Oling_Roachinen]

Connolly and Smith-Pelly were released for the 2012 World Juniors from Tampa and Anaheim and were away from their teams for 28 days.

The camp usually starts around December 10th and tournament ends January 5th so it's not a small time commitment. If the Flames think sending him there to play 2 or 3 somewhat meaningful games would be better for his development I wont argue. At the same time if they think Monahan playing 17 minutes a night against the Penguins, Bruins, and Blues is worth more than playing similar time against 18 year old Germans, Czechs and Slovaks I'm not going to argue with that either.

As for money, and it's important to remember he would be making peanuts in juniors right now if not for the Flames, that's over $100,000 plus the shot at bonus money so it's not a small loss. I wouldn't blame a kid for not wanting to go if given the option considering the cost.

[The Yen Man]

I want him to go because I want him the experience a winning atmosphere. I'm not saying it's guaranteed Team Canada will win gold, or even medal, but at least the potential is there. I mean, lets face it, he's not going to be winning much of anything with the Flames for at least 3 years minimum. His 67's team was brutal, so if you deprive him of this chance, it may be a long time before he even has that feeling again.

Development wise, I can't see this impacting him negatively. The Flames are floundering at the bottom of the conference. I'm not sure they'll be moving up anytime soon TBQH.

[FlamingLonghorn]

As pointed out by a couple others here, I don't understand the desire at all to have him play at the WJC. Perhaps this is because I am an American, but I rank that tourney a step above the meaningless regular World Championship. It's only a step above because I get to see prospects play against tougher competition than normal. However, if a player is already in the NHL getting meaningful minutes I don't understand the desire to send him.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by troutman

As Canadians we over-rate the importance of the WJC. The rest of the world does not care about it. TSN has turned it into a monster.

Well you can say the same thing about the NHL can't you? Outside of Canada and little pockets in the U.S no one cares. And not sure what that has to do with him going to play in the WJC or not.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

Connolly and Smith-Pelly were released for the 2012 World Juniors from Tampa and Anaheim and were away from their teams for 28 days.

The camp usually starts around December 10th and tournament ends January 5th so it's not a small time commitment. If the Flames think sending him there to play 2 or 3 somewhat meaningful games would be better for his development I wont argue. At the same time if they think Monahan playing 17 minutes a night against the Penguins, Bruins, and Blues is worth more than playing similar time against 18 year old Germans, Czechs and Slovaks I'm not going to argue with that either.

As for money, and it's important to remember he would be making peanuts in juniors right now if not for the Flames, that's over $100,000 plus the shot at bonus money so it's not a small loss. I wouldn't blame a kid for not wanting to go if given the option considering the cost.

In 2012 Connelly went from being a 19 year old NHL player playing 13 minutes / game to a borderline NHL/AHL 21 year old.

He was the 6th pick overall in 2012.

His stats fell off drastically after he came back with a bronze medal. Looking at the 2012 Canadian WJC roster there are a lot of players that have not developed nearly as well as they were expected:

Player Birthdate Hometown 2011-12 Team Draft Status
*Mark Visentin 08/07/92 Waterdown, ON Niagara (OHL) PHX 2010
Scott Wedgewood 08/14/92 Brampton, On Plymouth (OHL) NJ 2010
Defence
Player Birthdate Hometown 2011-12 Team Draft Status
Nathan Beaulieu 12/05/92 Strathroy, ON Saint John (QMJHL) MTL 2011
Brandon Gormley 02/18/92 Murray River, PEI Moncton (QMJHL) PHX 2010
Dougie Hamilton 06/17/93 Toronto, ON Niagara (OHL) BOS 2011
Scott Harrington 03/10/93 Kingston, ON London (OHL) PIT 2011
Ryan Murray 09/27/93 White City, SK Everett (WHL) 2012
Jamie Oleksiak 12/21/92 Toronto, ON Saginaw (OHL) DAL 2011
Mark Pysyk 01/11/92 Sherwood Park, AB Edmonton (WHL) BUF 2010
Forwards
Player Birthdate Hometown 2011-12 Team Draft Status
Michael Bournival 05/31/92 Shawinigan, QC Shawinigan (QMJHL) COL 2010^
*Brett Connolly 05/02/92 Prince George, BC Tampa Bay (NHL) TB 2010
Brendan Gallagher 06/05/92 Tsawwassen, BC Vancouver (WHL) MTL 2010
Freddie Hamilton 01/01/92 Toronto, ON Niagara (OHL) SJ 2010
*Quinton Howden 01/21/92 Oak Bank, MB Moose Jaw (WHL) FLA 2010
Jonathan Huberdeau 06/04/93 Prevost, QC Saint John (QMJHL) FLA 2011
Boone Jenner 06/15/93 Dorchester, ON Oshawa (OHL) CBJ 2011
Tanner Pearson 08/10/92 Kitchener, ON Barrie (OHL) 2012
Mark Scheifele 03/15/93 Kitchener, ON Barrie (OHL) WPG 2011
*Jaden Schwartz 06/25/92 Emerald Park, SK Colorado College (WCHA) STL 2010
Devante Smith-Pelly 06/14/92 Scarborough, ON Anaheim (NHL) ANA 2010
Mark Stone 05/13/92 Winnipeg, MB Brandon (WHL) OTT 2010
Ryan Strome 07/11/93 Mississauga, ON Niagara (OHL) NYI 2011

The * signifies that this was their 2nd WJC

[northcrunk]

Originally Posted by Kaine

How anyone can think he would "develop" more playing against boys than against the best players in the world as he is now is beyond me.

What's more is the WJC is hugely overrated by Canadians. Just another product of the TSN hype machine.

He should stay with the Flames.

I'm with you 100%. He should stay with the Flames and face the best competition in the world nightly. What good is going back to playing against boys going to do for his development? He has shown he is ready for the NHL, no point in him going back to WJC just to dominate weaker competition.

[MissTeeks]

Maybe if it wasn't already an Olympic year. So he'll miss how ever many NHL games to go to the WJC and then play for a month, then take almost another one off after? Seems like a lot of time not playing NHL games.

[ranchlandsselling]

Are we sending Giordano to the spengler cup to help Team Canada and build his confidence as a leader (he'd be the best player on the team). No, becuse that's absured and at this point in his career he's beyond something like that.

Completely different circumstances but also very similar. Monahan is a legitamite player on the team. Not a guy just over the bubble but still needing the experience.

On the other hand can Sven go?
Backlund (I know it's too late)

And since we're on the topic, let's send Butler and Stajan to the Spengler cup!

[killer_carlson]

Mark me down as a 100% Yes.

I want him to go and battle in that experience. He will undoubtedly be looked upon as a leader by his peers on the team and I think there is value in that as well. Most importantly, I think this is the closest he will get to playing meaningful playoff hockey for a few years.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by ranchlandsselling

Are we sending Giordano to the spengler cup to help Team Canada and build his confidence as a leader (he'd be the best player on the team). No, becuse that's absured and at this point in his career he's beyond something like that.

Completely different circumstances but also very similar. Monahan is a legitamite player on the team. Not a guy just over the bubble but still needing the experience.

On the other hand can Sven go?
Backlund (I know it's too late)

And since we're on the topic, let's send Butler and Stajan to the Spengler cup!

The debate is over development. If the Flames feel sending Monahan to the WJC is good for is development, then he should go. If they don't feel it is, then he shouldn't go. I trust their judgement either way. Sending Gio to the Spengler Cup does nothing for his development, because he's already developed, so totally different circumstances.

For purely selfish reasons, I'd want him to go as I want to cheer him on a team that actually has a chance to win something.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I think players struggle when they return from the WJC. Unless he's struggling significantly in a couple weeks, he shouldn't go.

Agreed. Not so concerned with whether playing in the tournament will help but rather the after effects of it.

[FlamingLonghorn]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Mark me down as a 100% Yes.

I want him to go and battle in that experience. He will undoubtedly be looked upon as a leader by his peers on the team and I think there is value in that as well. Most importantly, I think this is the closest he will get to playing meaningful playoff hockey for a few years.

Would winning a medal at the WJC mean more to him than the Calder trophy that he would be taking himself out of consideration for?

[Jake]

I think Monahan stands to improve more by playing against professional hockey teams, rather than junior players. I think the "winning atmosphere" and "leadership" cards are being overplayed here... Monahan knows what it is like to be looked up to by other junior players; he was the best player on his junior team. As far as winning, I'd say pulling off a win against the Blues or Bruins would mean more.

[PIMking]

I cant tell anyone that they cant rep their country but I would be really upset if he got hurt in the tourny

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by FlamingLonghorn

Would winning a medal at the WJC mean more to him than the Calder trophy that he would be taking himself out of consideration for?

Is there even any question? An individual vs. team award and not to mention representing your country.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Monahan is already competing against the best players in the world and succeeding. How exactly is him playing against weaker opponents, the majority of whom will never become a full-time NHL player, going to help him become a better overall player? How is him going to the tournament going to help him 10 years down the road? It's not.

Monahan will also be playing in a lot of low-pressure, meaningless games this season. It might be nice to expose him to a hockey where something important is on the line, and the team has pressure and expectations to win a championship. Surely being a key player on a team with massive pressure and media coverage, competing in championship games, is good for a player's development.