Should we bench Monahan for a game or 2?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by vilzeh

So you're fine with how Monahan is playing?

I swear I hear one more time that Oilers have kool-aid drinking fans, I'm gonna burst, this is a prime example of a kool aid drinking fan, this is exactly the same how Oilers were high on T. Hall.

26 games, 10 points, yeah boys, 6m ain't enough, he should get more I guess.

I said exactly nothing about being happy with Monahan's play. I said the argument that "he's paid the most so he should be the best player" is superficial. It ignores the salary structure of the CBA, it ignores the reason you sign a young player to a multi-year deal, and it ignores the fact that he isn't the highest paid player. The question to ask is - over the lnegth of that contract will he earn the money, on average.

As for his play now, no it hasn't been good. Probably for a bunch of reasons. His last two games were way better - his shot is back at least, and has directly caused two goals.

The kid has hit over 60 points in his 2nd and 3rd seasons. But since he gets off to a bad start over 25 games, that's the normal play, not teh previous ones?

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by Har-Calgary

...I for one would be fine if he heats up before the trade deadline and we ship him, but his price tag and term won't even make that easy.

This is easily one of the dumbest comments I've ever seen here.

[flamesrule14]

I thought Monahan was real solid tonight. Seemed to have an extra step too I thought. He was constantly in the offensive zone first forechecking. His shot is his greatest asset and right now he just doesn't have the confidence using it. The last 4-5 games he's getting in those spots where he has scored and will score. Just a matter of him to stop thinking and get that shot off. Perfect example was in ot tonight. Gets that puck from Hamilton and when he's on his game he's getting that shot away no question. Like I said he's getting those opportunities now where as he wasn't earlier this season. He'll start capitalizing soon enough.

[Bunk]

He leads the team in goals.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Last chance to get back on the Monahan bandwagon, after tonight your goal scoring god will forsake you. And may the doubters in the West and the haters in the East choke on their evening pudding.

[Stay Golden]

Monahan getting into groove as of late. Look out haters.

[genetic_phreek]

Mony has played great lately. I would gladly eat my words about him not being able to live up to his contract if he keeps this up.

[Five-hole]

He was even playing pretty physical tonight. Great to see.

[calgarywinning]

Yeah big check. Great defensive plays.

He was happy to have Johnny back as well.

[N-E-B]

Does anyone still want to argue Monahan can't drive a line? Because he's looked pretty solid without Gaudreau lately.

Is he Toews? No. But some of the garbage said about him in this thread is ridiculous.

[GreenLantern2814]

Monahan has been better. He's too talented to stay as awful as he has been. There's more explosion in his stride.

I still wish he was a little more physical than not at all. He doesn't need to run guys. Use his body more to win puck battles - the guy is 6 ft 2 210+ of solid muscle and he plays like he's 5"9 170.

Monahan adding a physical component to his game would make him one of the best players in the league.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Monahan has been better. He's too talented to stay as awful as he has been. There's more explosion in his stride.

I still wish he was a little more physical than not at all. He doesn't need to run guys. Use his body more to win puck battles - the guy is 6 ft 2 210+ of solid muscle and he plays like he's 5"9 170.

Monahan adding a physical component to his game would make him one of the best players in the league.

People say things like this as if it is a simple decision on the part of a player to play "physical" or not. Like they all make the choice, or are able to flip a switch and just change the way they play. It is actually a lot more complicated than that. Monahan is not a physical player and likely never will be. It doesn't make a lot of sense to complain about what he is (considering that what he is is an amazing NHL player), not to pine for what will probably never be.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

People say things like this as if it is a simple decision on the part of a player to play "physical" or not. Like they all make the choice, or are able to flip a switch and just change the way they play. It is actually a lot more complicated than that. Monahan is not a physical player and likely never will be. It doesn't make a lot of sense to complain about what he is (considering that what he is is an amazing NHL player), not to pine for what will probably never be.

If he's never going to be a physical player and it's so impossible to add that element to his game, he should be spending his offseasons powerskating so he can keep up with his linemate, not lifting weights that cause back injuries that linger into late November.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

If he's never going to be a physical player and it's so impossible to add that element to his game, he should be spending his offseasons powerskating so he can keep up with his linemate, not lifting weights that cause back injuries that linger into late November.

He is a professional athlete with access to the finest elite level fitness trainers on the planet. I'm not about to pontificate about what he "should" or "should not" be doing since Monahan, the Flames coaches and training staff have a much better handle on all of this than either of us.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Crumpy-Gunt

I remember people calling me a monahan hater for pointing out my fears of us giving him a big contract based on 3 years of unsustainable goal scoring. Tap ins.

I think it was gojetsgo who got the most upset about my suggestion of bridging monahan and splitting him and johnny up to see what sean can do alone.

The monahan contract and the giordano contract killed our rebuild. Along with a few other smaller signings that didnt need to happen.

I hope the kid comes good but ever since i saw the highlights AC made for monahan ive always viewed him as an incredibly overrated soft center with poor skating and just a good wrister from the slot.

Meh whatever. I just have this "I TOLD YOU SO" feeling. Even got into a fight on air with pat steinberg over monahan and my opinion that he is vastly overrated and relies on others for offense.

How's that told you so working out for ya?

[Moneyhands23]

Please close this thread. It doesn't belong on the first page of the forum.

[smiggy77]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

How's that told you so working out for ya?

I like the work you're doing here MMF.

[Jay Random]

I didn't mind how Monahan was playing to start the season, but we definitely need to bench him now. In fact, he shouldn't even be practising with the team, and when they go on the road he should just stay on the bus. Every game he plays lately, he's hurting our draft position.

Oh, wait. For a moment there, I thought I was an Oiler fan.

[Crumpy-Gunt]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

How's that told you so working out for ya?

Ooooo.....burn!

Good. Its my opinion..

He is vastly overrated but im glad he has picked it up. Soft slow 6 foot 2 210lb center with an average defensive game. Cant even stick up for his tiny linemate. He is scoring more now and thats great.

The I told you so wasnt about him sucking or not scoring points this season. I own a monahan jersey and want him to do well...because im a flames fan. I just think he isnt a 6 plus million dollar player who should be compared to toews. Sue me. It was about the contract we gave him and the chances of him being an effective top line center on a contender. I think a 6+x6 is too mich for what he likely is. He is a 2nd line center on a good team. He skates like my sister and doesnt play physical or show any real compete. He is a good young scorer and im glad he is scoring again. The point wasnt that he belongs in the echl. The point was that in my opinion he isnt as good as people think. He is earning as much as way way better players in this league earn.

Now he has points in 5 straight and is our top goal scorer and you want to come here and pretend i said the kid sucks and may never score again. Why didnt you quote the post where i praised all of his offensive ability and called him a potentially elite sniper?

He is overpaid and overrated. That doesnt mean he isnt good or I dont like him. I think his contract will be a talking point for the next several years. Does a purely goal scoring 60 point center deserve over 6 million per year on a long term contract? One who cant generate his own scoring chances and relies on his offensive instincts, positioning and shot? I dont think so. But I hope im wrong and the kid scores 80pts a season until he retires plus starts playing like Bergeron or Kopitar defensively.

Monahan scores some points and all of a sudden all previous criticisms of him are invalid...

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Crumpy-Gunt

...He is overpaid and overrated. That doesnt mean he isnt good or I dont like him. I think his contract will be a talking point for the next several years. Does a purely goal scoring 60 point center deserve over 6 million per year on a long term contract? One who cant generate his own scoring chances and relies on his offensive instincts, positioning and shot? I dont think so...

When that player manages that level of production in today's NHL before his 22nd birthday? You damn well better believe it. And stop saying that he can't generate his own offense: Monahan his been an under-rated puck distributor in his time in Calgary, and we are starting to see signs of this again in the past week.

Monahan scores some points and all of a sudden all previous criticisms of him are invalid...:bag:

Yes. Your criticism of Monahan is pretty much completely off the mark.