Moneyhands: Countdown to 30 (Needs to score: 1; Games remaining: 9

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by driveway

Monahan v. Other #1 centres in the league at 20 years old.

Monahan 140gp 46g 34a 80p

Kopitar 164gp 52g 96a 138p

Getzlaf 57gp 14g 25a 39p

Toews 147gp 58g 65a 123p

Tavares 161gp 53g 68a 121p

Backstrom 82gp 13g 55a 69p

Seguin 155gp 40g 49a 89p

Giroux 2gp 0g 0a 0p

As impressive as Monahans stats and development are at his age, I think this also hints that he'll probably be just that one step below the elite #1s. He's up there when it comes to goals, but his assist totals are relatively lagging (even though he's made big strides this year). Now he might not have as good line mates as some of these guys had, but the truly elite centers tend to excel there too.

Don't get me wrong, I think we got the steal of the draft, but I'm not sure he has that playmaking ability that most of these guys have, and that's one of those things that is more of a natural trait, than a learned one. He's the guy who scores the clutch goals, is in the right place at the right time, is defensively aware... but I don't think he's the necessarily the grand puppet master on his line that makes everyone else around him dance. That along with his relatively average speed makes me still think he'll be more of a 1B centre at the end of the day. A 1B who might be your Captain and score the Stanley Cup winner for you though, so I'll take it just fine.

[belsarius]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Don't mean to be rude but who cares about those losers?
I hate the greaseballs more than anyone but let's not soil the accomplishments of our our young players by comparing them to those donkeys.

I also hate the Oilers, but the comparison is based on them being 1st overall picks (except Eberle). They were consensus (mostly) number 1 picks too so I think the comparison is a good one to look at. How the Oilers have ruined their development is a different topic alltogether.

[Jay Random]

In a lot of ways, Monahan reminds me of the young Joe Nieuwendyk. (The comparison will be perfect if he scores 51 goals next year as a 21-year-old, but I'm not holding my breath for that.) Since Bennett reminds so many people of Gilmour, I can see some trips down memory lane in the Flames' near future at the centre position.

All we need now is for Jankowski to engage Incredible Hulk mode and turn into the next Joel Otto.…

[Obsidian]

Originally Posted by Table 5

As impressive as Monahans stats and development are at his age, I think this also hints that he'll probably be just that one step below the elite #1s. He's up there when it comes to goals, but his assist totals are relatively lagging (even though he's made big strides this year). Now he might not have as good line mates as some of these guys had, but the truly elite centers tend to excel there too.

Don't get me wrong, I think we got the steal of the draft, but I'm not sure he has that playmaking ability that most of these guys have, and that's one of those things that is more of a natural trait, than a learned one. He's the guy who scores the clutch goals, is in the right place at the right time, is defensively aware... but I don't think he's the necessarily the grand puppet master on his line that makes everyone else around him dance. That along with his relatively average speed makes me still think he'll be more of a 1B centre at the end of the day. A 1B who might be your Captain and score the Stanley Cup winner for you though, so I'll take it just fine.

That's why he'll be the best #2 center in the league.

(For those who don't understand.. enter, Sam Bennett)

[Gaudfather]

If Monahan hits the 30 goal mark this year ( and it now looks like he is on track to do this) that is a 30% increase in production - while logging much tougher minutes against other teams top lines.

Next year his level of competition won't really increase ( as he is already facing the toughest opponents) but if his production steps up at a similar rate to this year - he could be a 40 goal scorer in 2015/16.

I know still too early to call, but not out of the realm of possibility.

[EldrickOnIce]

^^While I think you are right, lower assists possibly a function of surrounding talent.
Lets see in 2-3 years.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

In a lot of ways, Monahan reminds me of the young Joe Nieuwendyk. (The comparison will be perfect if he scores 51 goals next year as a 21-year-old, but I'm not holding my breath for that.)

As someone pointed out in a thread the other day:

1987-88 : The Flames scored 397 goals and Nieuwendyk had 51, or 12.8% (and 92 points for 23.2%)
1988-89 : The Flames scored 354 goals and Nieuwendyk had 51, or 14.4% (and 82 points for 23.2%)

2013-14 : The Flames scored 202 goals and Monahan had 22, or 10.9% (and 34 points for 16.8%)
2014-15 : The Flames have 183 goals (so far) and Monahan has 24 (so far), or 13.1% (and 46 points for 25.1%)

Even though his totals are a lot lower than Nieuwendyk's, his contribution to the Flames' overall offence is comparable. As you pointed out, Monahan will be the same age Joe was in his rookie year next season. Monahan is contributing a higher percentage of the Flames' offence as a 20 year-old than Joe did as a 21 year-old.


There's also this Tweet from Darren Haynes the other day (https://twitter.com/DarrenWHaynes/st...92441701933056):

Darren Haynes ‏@DarrenWHaynes

Most goals before 21st birthday in #Flames history:

1. Quinn 69
2. Lavallee 47
3. Monahan 44 (is 21 on Oct 12/15)
4. Reichel 39
5. Iginla 34

Monahan is now at 46, so he'll be passing LaVallee soon. He won't likely catch Quinn, but Quinn also had the advantage of nearly 3 full seasons in Calgary before his 21st birthday.

[nemanja2306]

He's tied for 15th in the league for goals. Ahead of guys such as Kessek, Datsyuk, Carter, Couture, Benn..

[#-3]

[QUOTE=GoJetsGo;5174459]Listen to the Wing's broadcast team talk about his goal from last night:

And Monahan creates anew type of goal. The 10 Hole.

Double 5 Hole

[Sylvanfan]

Look at league scoring these past two seasons. It is as hard to score 80 points in a season as its been in a long time. This season no one player is projecting to exceed 90 points. Last year the 2nd highest total in the league was 87 points, and one player exceeded 50 goals. We are back to 03-04 type goal scoring numbers. Whereas guys like Kopitar and Backstrom played in seasons where 20-35 guys were putting up 80 points a season.

[Erick Estrada]

The league is so quick to adapt as while the obstruction is not nearly as bad as 03-04 it's so difficult now to get pucks on the net as it's like there are two to three goaltenders to beat with players putting their bodies in front of shots regularly. Combine that with the ever increasing size of goaltenders and it's getting hard to score again. It's kind of how the Flames can lost the possession time battle and keep teams off the score sheet as they block a lot of shots and Hiller for example is a big guy that gets his body in the shooting lanes to stop pucks.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

The league is so quick to adapt as while the obstruction is not nearly as bad as 03-04 it's so difficult now to get pucks on the net as it's like there are two to three goaltenders to beat with players putting their bodies in front of shots regularly. Combine that with the ever increasing size of goaltenders and it's getting hard to score again. It's kind of how the Flames can lost the possession time battle and keep teams off the score sheet as they block a lot of shots and Hiller for example is a big guy that gets his body in the shooting lanes to stop pucks.

That is why I made the thread about Ovi and the Hart. He'll likely score 50 this year, and has a great shot at the Art Ross this year. Like I said before, to me 50 goals is the new 70 goals. It's just so hard to score 50 in a year anymore.

Sure Price is playing lights out, but to me 50 goals & and Art Ross outweigh Price's performance.

[mile]

Originally Posted by Table 5

As impressive as Monahans stats and development are at his age, I think this also hints that he'll probably be just that one step below the elite #1s. He's up there when it comes to goals, but his assist totals are relatively lagging (even though he's made big strides this year). Now he might not have as good line mates as some of these guys had, but the truly elite centers tend to excel there too.

Maybe. I think you also have to consider that there was much more high scoring in the first few years post-lockout (back when most of the players on the list debuted) compared to the last few years. Back then, you had a TON of players (around 50-60) with 70+ point seasons, with #1 centers commonly producing 80+ points. Nowadays, producing anywhere close to 60 points while providing good two-way play makes you a #1 center, which is what Monahan is doing right now.

IMO he is definitely a future #1 centre in the same mold as Toews, Bergeron, and Kopitar. Right now he is producing close to or exactly at the same pace they are, and those three were the ones who have led the last three cup winners. So if he doesn't end up producing like a Tavares, Getzlaf, or Seguin that's perfectly fine with me.

[Hockey_Ninja]

From the Lindholm or Monahan thread:

Originally Posted by polak

NO DEFENSIVE FORWARDS.

Please god no. No No No.

Originally Posted by New Era

We need to replace a dynamic high scoring forward that will put butts in the seats. That sounds more like the slick Swede than the two way Canadian. I'd take Lindholm and then supplement that pick with a big two way center that has second or third line potential. I think Gauthier or Horvat or Rychel fits that bill. We have three picks so aim high and pick the best potential scorer with the first pick.

Originally Posted by TangerZ

I'm very skeptical on Monahan who seems to be the guy most have pencilled in as the 6th pick. He's someone I can definitly see being a bust, a big tall forward who can dominate juniors with his size but not being able to translate that at the NHL level. His stats aren't overly great which really make me nervous about picking him.

Originally Posted by 1stLand

as long as he doesnt have a history of concussions, pick Lindholm

No more Rico Fatas or Danie Tzachuks please

gotta love hindsight.

[theoforever]

At the draft I was praying Monahan drops to us, didn't want Lindholm, just as I was praying Bennett, Bennett. Happy in both cases.

[driveway]

I do wonder about why Monahans assist numbers are lower than other centers. I'm not sure if it's something innate about his style of play or a function of the players around him, likely both in some combination, but it's just ... FUN to have a young guy like this on the flames. It's been since iginla that we've had a young player this good and this exciting and that was 20 years ago.

And we've got Gaudreau... And Bennett.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by theoforever

At the draft I was praying Monahan drops to us, didn't want Lindholm, just as I was praying Bennett, Bennett. Happy in both cases.

Yup. I even wanted Monahan over Barkov.

And I wanted Bennett over everyone this year.

Been pretty happy with the last couple drafts!

[Robo]

Originally Posted by theoforever

At the draft I was praying Monahan drops to us, didn't want Lindholm, just as I was praying Bennett, Bennett. Happy in both cases.

can you pray for mcdavid to fall to us next?

[indes]

I think his assist totals are a bit on the low side as he seems to be the best trigger man whereas most of our wingers are playmakers.

[theoforever]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Yup. I even wanted Monahan over Barkov.

And I wanted Bennett over everyone this year.

Been pretty happy with the last couple drafts!

Yeah, I wanted Bennett over everyone this year too. I didn't realize how good Ekblad was, not that it changes my vote. I was afraid Draisaitl was going to be a bust, although he should be ok.

I had no preference between Barkov and Monahan, but I'm glad we got Money Hands.