Sean FRICKIN Monahan

[Duffalufagus]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

If we're including contracts in the discussion, I'm gonna pass on Drai.

I’m passing straight up

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Kovaz

I think it's really easy to have a grass-is-greener perspective about a player like Monahan. Monahan in particular has a really polarized skill set. His strengths are incredibly strong. He's got maybe the sneakiest release in the league, and he might be the best player in the league at finding holes in D coverage. That skillset is so rare and so unique, and it's a huge part of our team's success.

That said, the majority of other top Cs in the league are much better puck carriers than him, which is I think the biggest source of Monahan criticism. Most other top guys have either great skating and stick handling allowing them to weave through defenders and find space; or size, strength, and balance allowing them to shield the puck to create space. Monahan doesn't really possess either in spades, so he has to rely on having a linemate like Gaudreau to handle the puck-carrying responsibilities. It works, but if Gaudreau is a little off his game their line as a whole really suffers.

He really doesn't fit the #1C archetype and it's easy to want a more typical center in that role, but Monahan is every bit as good as the players we'd covet as a replacement. Just in a different way.

You make some fair points but it's worth noting the majority of the players you're comparing him to regarding great skating, puck carrying etc, are a lot older and more seasoned.

It seems to be lost on a few people just how young he is, which makes the rate at which he's scoring game winning goals and goals in general all the more remarkable. As good as he is, he's far from a finished product.

I also think he's vastly improved carrying the puck and making plays this year (as you'd expect as he matures and gets bigger and stronger). Agreed he still has room to improve in this area, but I think it's coming along.

You're right that he makes up for it though, and does so in spades. The ability to finish is becoming a huge commodity in the current NHL. And doing so at clutch times even more so.

I know I'm going to feel pretty darn good going into an OT game in the playoffs with Monny at 1C.

[Love]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

You do. I mentioned another instance above that stood out and the Monahan one tends to be something you bring up semi frequently. It's a particularly odd take that tends to stand out. I'm not interested in reviewing your posting history but I've seen the comment made several times in several threads about this team lacking a true 1C etc. You've brought it up after several losses in frustration. There are quite a few people who seem to get very low after a loss or two.

As I said, the Monahan questioning is particularly hard to fathom when there are just as many question marks surrounding centres you apparently covet above him.

Between his scoring a goal a game last playoffs and continuing to be one of the more clutch scorers in the NHL, he seems to inspire more and more confidence as he gets older (and he's still quite young).

honestly, tldr my friend. please stop making weird assumptions about me

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Love

honestly, tldr my friend. please stop making weird assumptions about me

Yea, what a mountain paragraphs. It was a big ask I guess.

They're not assumptions. I know you'd have liked it if you could have just slid into this thread and ranked a few centres without actually having to back up the "no playoff faith in Monahan" mantra you frequent... but I think it was worth addressing since there are only a few of you who parrot it.

Since it's such a non-issue I guess we won't see you continue to bring it up any time the team loses a few.

[jonkaupp]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

If we're including contracts in the discussion, I'm gonna pass on Drai.

Considering Draisaitl has played something like 63% of his ice time on McDavids wing this year, while getting (just did quick math) something like 75% of his points there, I’m having a hard time calling him a centermen period, let alone an elite one. He’s a damn fine winger though, maybe not 8.5m tho lol.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by keenan87

Maybe Drai.. bur when is the last time Monahan was killing penalties? McDavid is a really good player. I guess we just have different opinions.

Please, tell me how being a members of the Oilers PK is anything to be proud of? LOL

[Monahammer]

lol if Monahan was playing on McDavid's wing he would put up an absurd amount of rebound goals. He's ahead of Drai.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Kovaz

I think it's really easy to have a grass-is-greener perspective about a player like Monahan. Monahan in particular has a really polarized skill set. His strengths are incredibly strong. He's got maybe the sneakiest release in the league, and he might be the best player in the league at finding holes in D coverage. That skillset is so rare and so unique, and it's a huge part of our team's success.

That said, the majority of other top Cs in the league are much better puck carriers than him, which is I think the biggest source of Monahan criticism. Most other top guys have either great skating and stick handling allowing them to weave through defenders and find space; or size, strength, and balance allowing them to shield the puck to create space. Monahan doesn't really possess either in spades, so he has to rely on having a linemate like Gaudreau to handle the puck-carrying responsibilities. It works, but if Gaudreau is a little off his game their line as a whole really suffers.

He really doesn't fit the #1C archetype and it's easy to want a more typical center in that role, but Monahan is every bit as good as the players we'd covet as a replacement. Just in a different way.

Great post and pretty much how I feel about him too. He's not a guy who fits the typical #1 C profile when you start listing attributes that most #1 Cs have. Nobody thinks of him as this big beast who forces his way through players and powers it to the net. He's not a fast skater, not a guy who mixes things up a lot in scrums.

However, he's proving himself to be among the very best snipers in the game which is the hardest thing to do in the NHL. He's also a good passer, good defensively and very much a go-to guy.

But at the end of the day, you are defined where you are in the line up (top line, top 6, bottom 6, etc) by your production. Monahan is without question, a top line C based on his production. Anyone who thinks otherwise needs a slap in the teeth and a time-out to smarten themselves up.

He's only 23, on a sweetheart contract, and has great chemistry with an Art Ross contender. The Flames are lucky to have him, and I have faith in him that he could be the #1 C on a Flames cup winning team.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by Duffalufagus

I’m passing straight up

That is just dumb then. I think that Draisaitl is overpaid but he is still a dominating player in his own right and one who any team would love to have. He is still a 22 year old center who puts up close to a point per game and has size, talent, and has performed in the playoffs as well. In his D+2 season he was supposed to only be good because of Hall and last year because of McDavid. The truth is that he is a great player in his own right. Unfortunately for the Oilers it takes more than 2 great players to build a team and they still suck.

[automaton 3]

Not only is Monahan an elite goal scorer, but he scores clutch goals.

And that is the one of the rarest and most desirable of attributes.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

That is just dumb then. I think that Draisaitl is overpaid but he is still a dominating player in his own right and one who any team would love to have. He is still a 22 year old center who puts up close to a point per game and has size, talent, and has performed in the playoffs as well. In his D+2 season he was supposed to only be good because of Hall and last year because of McDavid. The truth is that he is a great player in his own right. Unfortunately for the Oilers it takes more than 2 great players to build a team and they still suck.

Yes, Draisaitl is a good player, but I think the point was that irrespective of contract disparity between him and Monahan, Monahan is a better player—particularly since he is a bona-fide, full-time CENTRE. If they were paid the same amount and given the choice between the two I would have Monahan centring my top line every day of the week ahead of Draisaitl.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

That is just dumb then.

I think he's grossly over-paid, and you can marvel about him all you want. When the Oilers are spinning their wheels in cap hell the next few years you'll see why a lot of people feel that way.

[Timbo]

Time will tell however I believe Monahan will go down as one of the greats in Flames history. In two years time his contract will be perceived as maybe the best value in the NHL.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by keenan87

Draisaitl

He's a winger.

Only reason he's still called a C is so that Oilers management and fans can try to justify his #1 C contract.

RNH is injured long term, and they're STILL playing Draisaitl on McDavid's wing.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

That is just dumb then. I think that Draisaitl is overpaid but he is still a dominating player in his own right and one who any team would love to have. He is still a 22 year old center who puts up close to a point per game and has size, talent, and has performed in the playoffs as well. In his D+2 season he was supposed to only be good because of Hall and last year because of McDavid. The truth is that he is a great player in his own right. Unfortunately for the Oilers it takes more than 2 great players to build a team and they still suck.

So you're saying you would trade Monahan for Draisaitl. That alone is foolish I think. Their career PPG is nearly identical, with Monahan absolutely crushing Drai in goal totals. Plus Monahan actually plays defense. Finally draisaitl costs 33% more per season (2.2 million), enough for a significant upgrade to another position on the roster.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

So you're saying you would trade Monahan for Draisaitl. That alone is foolish I think. Their career PPG is nearly identical, with Monahan absolutely crushing Drai in goal totals. Plus Monahan actually plays defense. Finally draisaitl costs 33% more per season (2.2 million), enough for a significant upgrade to another position on the roster.

I think most significantly here is that we have no idea how Draisaitl would perform in the long run PLAYING CENTRE.

[FlamesFanTrev]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

So you're saying you would trade Monahan for Draisaitl. That alone is foolish I think. Their career PPG is nearly identical, with Monahan absolutely crushing Drai in goal totals. Plus Monahan actually plays defense. Finally draisaitl costs 33% more per season (2.2 million), enough for a significant upgrade to another position on the roster.

Yea, but all those factors aside, it's close right? Lol

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Yes, Draisaitl is a good player, but I think the point was that irrespective of contract disparity between him and Monahan, Monahan is a better player—particularly since he is a bona-fide, full-time CENTRE. If they were paid the same amount and given the choice between the two I would have Monahan centring my top line every day of the week ahead of Draisaitl.

I was taking his comment to say that he wouldn't take Draisaitl on his team regardless of the salary he was being paid, which is dumb because he is obviously and objectively a very good player.

[Hey Connor, It's Mess]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

Barring injury, Baertschi will be a star in this league.

[Yrebmi]

Originally Posted by Duffalufagus

I’m passing straight up

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

That is just dumb then. I think that Draisaitl is overpaid but he is still a dominating player in his own right and one who any team would love to have. He is still a 22 year old center who puts up close to a point per game and has size, talent, and has performed in the playoffs as well. In his D+2 season he was supposed to only be good because of Hall and last year because of McDavid. The truth is that he is a great player in his own right. Unfortunately for the Oilers it takes more than 2 great players to build a team and they still suck.

I read that as preferring Mony over Dri straight up - salaries not considered.
I would agree with that.