[News] Monahan knows what's on the line this season: 'I have a lot to prove'

[browna]

Monahan will score some of the biggest goals or biggest assists for this team when it matters most this season.

Darryl knows what he has in him.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I only saw last half but Monahan played well. Strong on the puck and some nice passes.

Dube, Mangiapane and Coleman all with shifts in OT. They are all faster but I get worried when they have the puck. Monahan not likely to make an easy turnover.

I think Sutter is just going with his 6-7 fastest forwards, period.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Your Calgary Flames!

Didn’t read much of the thread but It’s a shame really. Monahan put up 22 goals his first season without Johnny. I do believe he could drive the play early in his career. .

That year he put up 22 goals, Monahan had some of the worst possession and WOWY numbers on one of the worst possession teams in the league, despite limited minutes and relatively quality linemates.

He was also the beneficiary of some fortunate shooting percentages during his nine-game tryout period (he scored 6 goals in 9 games, on 21 shots - while this isn't a knock on him, it definitely bought him the opportunity to burn his ELC/RFA year when his actual level of play probably would have had him sent back to Junior).

As far as driving play goes, there was even an article posted, albeit on an oilers website, about how his rookie season was likely smoke-and-mirrors:

https://############.com/2014/09/04/...eon-draisaitl/

I think the only time I ever saw Monahan truly driving play was during that period where Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland were a line (Feb2017-March2018). I think the fact that the fleet-footed and powerful Ferland retrieved so many dump-ins and chip-outs probably masked Monahan's inability to make controlled zone entries and exits under pressure.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Except Monahan was given a long, long time as the team's #1C before getting demoted late last season and into this season.

His production fell off long before he was moved off the top line. There's no valid argument to be made that he hasn't' been given opportunities with good linemates.

Whatever 99 problems are plaguing him, line mates ain't 1.

Thanked for the Hova reference

[GreenLantern2814]

Not to be too “dude I called it”, but as soon as I saw Monahan was shooting first, I said to my wife “he’s going swing wide out to the right, come in close, go low blocker and miss”.

Then I traced out his path to the net in the air, and then Monahan swung out wide right, went low blocker, and Jarry stopped him the way a 12-year old stops an 8-year old - easily.

Now, if I knew he was going to do that a full 30 seconds before he started his attempt, there’s no way Jarry didn’t.

Talk to a sports psychologist, eat some mushrooms, use a longer stick, just try some new things. What he’s doing is not working.

Figure it out.

[stamps]

Put him on long term disability and let him heal some more .... his cap space would be of value ... bring in Kane retained from Chicago for Valimaki and a first or prospect maybe... or another aged center with some gas left in the tank??

[Knightslayer]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Not to be too “dude I called it”, but as soon as I saw Monahan was shooting first, I said to my wife “he’s going swing wide out to the right, come in close, go low blocker and miss”.

Then I traced out his path to the net in the air, and then Monahan swung out wide right, went low blocker, and Jarry stopped him the way a 12-year old stops an 8-year old - easily.

Now, if I knew he was going to do that a full 30 seconds before he started his attempt, there’s no way Jarry didn’t.

Talk to a sports psychologist, eat some mushrooms, use a longer stick, just try some new things. What he’s doing is not working.

Figure it out.

To be fair he has used that shootout move pretty much every time and is probably Flames best shootout scorer in Flames history.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Yoho

I just don’t know if the Flames can afford 11 mil tied up in Monahan and Lucic next year with big contracts needing to be signed.

They can't. One or two big contracts will definitely need to go next season. Lucic's contract is buyout proof, so buying him out won't happen. Although, with the way he's playing this season, not sure he'd be #1 on the list.

If they don't trade or buy Monahan out, then this team simply won't have enough dough for Johnny Gaudreau.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Knightslayer

To be fair he has used that shootout move pretty much every time and is probably Flames best shootout scorer in Flames history.

It hasn’t worked in I don’t know how long - I don’t watch quite as religiously as I used to, but I haven’t seen Monahan score in a shootout in what feels like over a year. And certainly not with that move.

So even if it’s a staple, a smart player (which he is) should have a whole set of moves that he can use from that approach. Fakes, deke left, deke right, high glove (which was totally open because Jarry knew where it was going and made sure low blocker was covered).

You do it until they show they can stop it. If you keep doing it passed that point, there is a major malfunction between the ears.

[Your Calgary Flames!]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

That year he put up 22 goals, Monahan had some of the worst possession and WOWY numbers on one of the worst possession teams in the league, despite limited minutes and relatively quality linemates.

He was also the beneficiary of some fortunate shooting percentages during his nine-game tryout period (he scored 6 goals in 9 games, on 21 shots - while this isn't a knock on him, it definitely bought him the opportunity to burn his ELC/RFA year when his actual level of play probably would have had him sent back to Junior).

As far as driving play goes, there was even an article posted, albeit on an oilers website, about how his rookie season was likely smoke-and-mirrors:

https://############.com/2014/09/04/...eon-draisaitl/

I think the only time I ever saw Monahan truly driving play was during that period where Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland were a line (Feb2017-March2018). I think the fact that the fleet-footed and powerful Ferland retrieved so many dump-ins and chip-outs probably masked Monahan's inability to make controlled zone entries and exits under pressure.

Fair enough. I said early in his career. I feel there was potential that could of been there if he played with perhaps different players that may of helped other aspects of his game to start his career. In any case I don’t see him being a player to put up high offensive numbers anymore. Let’s hope he can learn the defensive game.

[DeluxeMoustache]

I find it interesting when people bring up Ferland. Him getting ~20 G 40 pts on the top line with Gaudreau meanwhile being over a point per game and Monahan scoring 30 is a triumph, while I’m sure if Monahan got 20 G 40 pts in bottom 6 plus PP, coming off of major surgery, would be a disaster.

Ferland’s career year of 21 G top line is 1 short of Monahan’s 22 as a rookie, certainly not on a top line

[TheSquatch]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

I find it interesting when people bring up Ferland. Him getting ~20 G 40 pts on the top line with Gaudreau meanwhile being over a point per game and Monahan scoring 30 is a triumph, while I’m sure if Monahan got 20 G 40 pts in bottom 6 plus PP, coming off of major surgery, would be a disaster.

Ferland’s career year of 21 G top line is 1 short of Monahan’s 22 as a rookie, certainly not on a top line

Ferland created havoc, put some physical fear into opponents. Yes, Monahan's being held to a different standard, but then, he's a 6.3 million dollar player who we thought was trending up back in the day.

And speaking of a 20 goal/40 pt season is... at this point wistful. We'd all have been happy with 20 out of Sean. It ain't happening this year. God, look at what he did in the shootout last night. No moves, weak shot. He's no threat right now. This isn't some sly narrative being driven for nefarious purposes. Will he recover? Flames have to hope so.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

Right, and Monahan has 2 even strength points to show for it this season. This is the same player who many were convinced drove the bus between the Gaudreau-Monahan duo. I've probably spent half my CP life debating this very topic with an endless number of people.

At the end of the day, the numbers are not on Monahan's side no matter how anyone wants to spin it. Fact is, if he wants to help this team win, he needs to stop being on the ice for more goals against than goals for. If he only scores at a bottom 6 rate, then that's fine.

But my biggest problem for him right now is his play in his own zone. For his roles and his minutes, his 9 GA in comparison to Backlund (4), Lindholm (3), Richardson (2) is what needs to change the most IMO. He has the worst GF to GA ratio on the team and this is what needs to be fixed right now. I already anticipated his lack of offensive production even before the season started, but to help this team win, he can't be hurting the team like he currently is.

There are people that think Monahan drove the bus on the old top line with Gaudreau? Really?

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

They can't. One or two big contracts will definitely need to go next season. Lucic's contract is buyout proof, so buying him out won't happen. Although, with the way he's playing this season, not sure he'd be #1 on the list.

If they don't trade or buy Monahan out, then this team simply won't have enough dough for Johnny Gaudreau.

Actually Lucic isn't buy out proof, but earlier the savings didn't dictate any purpose for it.

This summer though there is a gain. If you buy out Lucic you save the team about $1.4M with a minor amount the year after.

I still wonder if he retires this summer though. He'll only have $1M of salary left after July 1st.

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by Bingo

There are people that think Monahan drove the bus on the old top line with Gaudreau? Really?

Yes, that really is a thing. I got sucked into posts suggesting exactly that more than once.

Monahan has a lot of superfans. I've never heard excuses for one player more than Sean Monahan since I've been a Flames fan. Even now if he makes a pass that a 13 year old hockey player would make some people act like he had an amazing game. It's quite sad.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Actually Lucic isn't buy out proof, but earlier the savings didn't dictate any purpose for it.

This summer though there is a gain. If you buy out Lucic you save the team about $1.4M with a minor amount the year after.

I still wonder if he retires this summer though. He'll only have $1M of salary left after July 1st.

At this point, I kind of hope he doesn’t. He is the one guy providing some secondary scoring right now.

[Heavy Jack]

Lucic playing next year wouldn’t get me down. The dude has been legit fire all year long and has been super fun to watch!

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

It hasn’t worked in I don’t know how long - I don’t watch quite as religiously as I used to, but I haven’t seen Monahan score in a shootout in what feels like over a year. And certainly not with that move.

So even if it’s a staple, a smart player (which he is) should have a whole set of moves that he can use from that approach. Fakes, deke left, deke right, high glove (which was totally open because Jarry knew where it was going and made sure low blocker was covered).

You do it until they show they can stop it. If you keep doing it passed that point, there is a major malfunction between the ears.

Monahan was very close to scoring on that shot. Jarry just got a bit of it. If you want to see a lame shootout attempt look at Tkachuk’s (and he’s usually very good as well). As for his last shootout goal? Probably Feb 2021.

[chedder]

I thought Monahan looked good last night. Was strong in the corners and on the boards. Made some great passes and had good scoring chances. I'm hoping he keeps progressing so the goals come.

[bubbsy]

Monahan has been working extremely hard, but his foot speed is clearly an issue offensively, which isn't a huge surprise.

My bigger concern has been his hands. Weak passes in the offensive zone, inability to get a quick shot off, lacking any kind of finish.

I was/am hoping that he pots a few on the PP to perhaps build back some puck-confidence. If he's not able to recapture that, I feel like getting another high motor grinding center like Richardson would be, not only cheaper, but more effective player. Especially since point producing centers aren't readily available.