QOTD: Sean Monahan Expectations - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Bingo · 03-23-2015, 08:59 AM

Similar to the Gaudreau question last week. Are you changing your view on who Sean Monahan is or will become?

I saw him as a two way guy with a great penchant for banging home rebounds and finding the soft spot in the opposition's zone. And quite frankly that had me pretty happy.

I was fairly certain he was heading for a sophomore slide this year with his high shooting percentage and the fact he'd likely see more attention from opposing coaches.

Now he's a shot away from 30 goals and has added some dangle to his game.

Has your expectations of Monahan changed this season?

EldrickOnIce · 03-23-2015, 09:03 AM

No. He is becoming what we thought he was.
However, only the most optimistic saw him becoming it this fast.
Hard to believe he is only 20

codynw · 03-23-2015, 09:03 AM

Expectations haven't really changed, he's just reaching them much faster than I ever would have expected.

Toonage · 03-23-2015, 09:07 AM

I am always guilty of being overly optimistic, but I saw him as a #1 centre on a rebuilding team, even by now.

Matata · 03-23-2015, 09:09 AM

Going from sheltered minutes to bona fide #1 center in one season is tremendous and is a testement to his ability to learn and grow. I can see him being a top 5 center in the league at his prime.

Stormchaser · 03-23-2015, 09:10 AM

I'm so amazed at how fast its come together for Monahan. What is really awesome is that the guy is so darn responsible in his own end as well!

Gaskal · 03-23-2015, 09:10 AM

I was expecting him to have similar minutes and sheltering while having a dip in point totals as he gradually saw tougher competition, while increasing his +/- from last year.

Way modest there

Red Ice Player · 03-23-2015, 09:12 AM

The scoring doesn't surprise me, especially playing with JG. I don't quite want to call him a franchise player yet, but he's pretty close. I love the boring persona.

vicarious · 03-23-2015, 09:19 AM

It's going as well for him as anyone could have possibly hoped for. Hopefully this trend continues.
Hudler and Gaudreau putting the puck on his stick doesn't hurt either.

DoubleF · 03-23-2015, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

No. He is becoming what we thought he was.
However, only the most optimistic saw him becoming it this fast.
Hard to believe he is only 20

Agreed. I was expecting this type of performance maybe 2-3 years down the road and perhaps not even this level either. I was expecting him to hit his stride around 23-24, not at the age of 20 and "fighting off the sophomore slump".

I wrote him off somewhat. I thought, "Sophomore slump is ok, happens to everyone. I still love what the kid brings. Lots of other rookies to watch."
...and he made me pay attention.

Huntingwhale · 03-23-2015, 09:20 AM

I always thought he would become a #1 franchise player centre. He's becoming the player I thought he would become. I just didn't think it would happen this fast.

SofaProfessor · 03-23-2015, 09:20 AM

I always figured he would be an awesome player and a huge part of the Flames for years to come. Didn't think he would be arguably the most important offensive player on this team in just his second season.

Split98 · 03-23-2015, 09:22 AM

Deep down, I always knew this kid was going to be a big franchise player for us.

But in reality, I have been waiting for him to soften up and fade away. We just haven't had that kind of results in a long long time.

This year, he confirmed what I wanted to believe.

bubbsy · 03-23-2015, 09:22 AM

Really thought he was going to be great as we entered the draft last year, didn't want anyone other than Monahan.

That being said I didn't know if he'd become an effective #1 center (#2 was a safer bet) with the offensive numbers to go with that title. Nor did i think he'd achieve the level of success as he has, so soon, in other areas of the game like faceoffs, defensive know-how, etc.

The other unreal thing is that he's just a solid, good kid. Know his family a bit here in toronto, have met him briefly once, and he immediately comes across as a nice, likable person. Having good players, and even better people is how a strong generation of a franchise are built.

Remember all dem oiler fans talking about a "sophmore slump"? Kid is a top10 goal scorer this year, top5 amongst all Centers!

ForeverFlameFan · 03-23-2015, 09:26 AM

He and Gaudreau compliment each other so well (with help by Hudler). I love that line every time they step onto the ice.

Bourque's Twin · 03-23-2015, 09:38 AM

Before I watched him this pre-season, I would've expected another 20 goals and MAYBE 2nd line centre locked down. He is now the #1 centre by a long shot, a great PP player, a great PK player, and has played 25+ minutes in important games.

I watched him this pre-season and saw how dominant he was on the ice. In the booms and busts thread I said that Monahan would be a "boom" and would score 30 goals. Seems like a good prediction

He is a franchise player. I see him being an 80+ point player for the next 12+ years.

CroFlames · 03-23-2015, 09:41 AM

He has definitely exceeded my expectations. I also think its a lot of BS that people are saying here they expected this current form from him. Who realistically expects 30 and 30 from a #6 pick with an outstanding all round game?

My expectation was that he'd be a 20-20 guy, and maybe peak at 30-30. I never thought he would turn into what he has this quickly. He is better than Backlund defensively because he is stronger, faster and smarter. His 200 foot game is astounding for a 20 year old, and I don't think anyone realistically could have expected that.

I definitely have a new expectation from him. I basically think he is going to be the next Bergeron, but even more offensive.

Bingo · 03-23-2015, 09:44 AM

and he's doing it at crunch time.

DoubleF · 03-23-2015, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CroFlames

He has definitely exceeded my expectations. I also think its a lot of BS that people are saying here they expected this current form from him. Who realistically expects 30 and 30 from a #6 pick with an outstanding all round game?

My expectation was that he'd be a 20-20 guy, and maybe peak at 30-30. I never thought he would turn into what he has this quickly. He is better than Backlund defensively because he is stronger, faster and smarter. His 200 foot game is astounding for a 20 year old, and I don't think anyone realistically could have expected that.

I definitely have a new expectation from him. I basically think he is going to be the next Bergeron, but even more offensive.

I agree with you if Monahan was an NHL regular around the age of 21-22 like most other players, but he was damn good at the age of 19. Adding another 10-10 crap shoot on top of a 20-20 theoretical ceiling didn't seem that much of a long shot when he has about 4-6 years away from being prime Monahan which is where we probably expected the possibility of these types of numbers from him.

I think another thing to note was having modest expectations for the year due to the rebuild. Most of us didn't expect a playoffs flirt let alone Monahan putting up the point production he is. Many of us didn't put up high expectations after the amazing end last year maybe because we didn't want to be disappointed. I think many of us are still clenching our teeth, crossing our fingers and breathing tensely every time a game is played this season.

Monahan is clutch. Did we start associating him with that this year or last year? (I'm thinking middle of this year?)

Roof-Daddy · 03-23-2015, 10:06 AM

I thought he could be a solid #2 center, or a poor man's #1, which I was OK with.

He's quickly blowing that idea out of the water, playing top minutes against top players, shutting them down and about to pot 30.......as a 20 year old?

Improves in all areas, and so smart. He's clearly going to be a #1...or really already is....and a really good #1 to boot.

That's exciting, because if Bennett succeeds, which he should, that will give us two #1 centers for the next decade +.

Sweet.