QOTD: Monahan's New Line Mates

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

Also it seems Gaudreau and Hudler can make any center work with them (Jooris, Granlund) so I'm not sure putting Monahan on that line maximizes what the other line combos could be. Monahan does have that hard heavy shot however so maybe it will be magic with him being fed perfect passes.

I like Granlund and Jooris fine, but Monahan is a cut above, and better of faceoffs too. I feel like while Johnny has rightly gotten a lot of love this year, what Monahan has done is really impressive for a sophomore - lining up every game against Getzlaf, Toews, Datsyuk, Stamkos, Kopitar, Malkin, Tavares - and still being on pace to match the sheltered rookie numbers?

I also think if Glencross can't play with Backlund, you can put him with Stajan - they hooked up pretty well a couple games ago and they are buddies. I don't mind Backlund with anyone, and I think he makes Byron and Raymond better.

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I like Granlund and Jooris fine, but Monahan is a cut above, and better of faceoffs too. I feel like while Johnny has rightly gotten a lot of love this year, what Monahan has done is really impressive for a sophomore - lining up every game against Getzlaf, Toews, Datsyuk, Stamkos, Kopitar, Malkin, Tavares - and still being on pace to match the sheltered rookie numbers?

I also think if Glencross can't play with Backlund, you can put him with Stajan - they hooked up pretty well a couple games ago and they are buddies. I don't mind Backlund with anyone, and I think he makes Byron and Raymond better.

I actually do hope Glencross does get Stajan as his center. Jones with them.

Keep Byron and Backlund together, they have shown to work well together, especially on the PK. I would add Bouma to that line.

Granlund with Raymond and Colborne.

Just don't know how the ice time would work out with those combos.

[Finger Cookin]

I just hope they get more than a few periods together, even if the score isn't in our favor. Try that line for a few games minimum to see if it clicks, barring further injuries and roster changes.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

This was the right move for several reasons. Backlund is not only better defensively, but seems to thrive offensively when facing tough competition (it's really weird). He's an ideal fit for the top shutdown line.

Monahan isn't getting many opportunities from in close which is where he scored most of his goals last year. Both Hudler and Gaudreau are capable of feeding their centreman clean passes in tight. Not only that, but they are both good at getting the puck on net and in dangerous spots.

Good things will happen.

[Tacopuck]

Colour me interested, Johnny for zone entry and distribution, Hudler for distribution and scoring, Monahan for face-offs, shooting and dirty net-front rebound finishes.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I couldn't decide on a proper voting option really.

I don't see Monahan as a 'straight line player', though he can definitely play that game very effectively. Monahan seems to be the kind of player that can do it all. He plays very methodically out there - cerebral. He just doesn't do things at high-speed.

I really wanted Backlund to get a long look with Gaudreau and Hudler this year. We have all seen flashes of Backlund's offensive abilities. Now Monahan seemed more than capable of being the #1 center who did well against the other teams' top lines, I thought Backlund would get that shot as the #2 center with offensive wingers that fit his game. I can't think of another player except Byron that Backlund has been paired with in the past that I thought was a 'good fit'. Backlund I think needs to play with guys with speed and hockey IQ. Glencross does meet that, but he isn't much of a playmaker.

I thought Monahan would eventually be paired with a guy like Baertschi on his left - a player that has a similar pace to his game, but is both a playmaker and a shooter. I thought Colborne and Monahan were showing great chemistry, and thought Colborne would be a mainstay on his wing.

I do think that the future line of Gaudreau - Bennett - Poirier would make quite a bit of sense, as all these 3 players play at a very high tempo and all do things at high-speed. Would give the opposition a tough time in trying to contain them, especially with a guy like Brodie on the ice who is also an excellent skater.

I do expect Monahan to increase his goal rate, however. Hudler was great paired with him, and Monahan is definitely smart enough and skilled enough to play with Gaudreau. I don't think there will be any question in that area. Backlund paired with Glencross is definitely the best shutdown pairing that the Flames have to offer, and Colborne on the wing should enhance that in my opinion, as well as allow for a bit more scoring than Jones offered last year.

I think this line combination is the 'safe' play and solidifies the forward lines quite well defensively. I just can't help but think that Backlund would have been a better fit for Gaudreau's pace, and vice-versa.

[GioforPM]

If you pair Backlund with Johnny, which I can see offesnively, but hen put him up against top lines (which Backlund can do capably), you are also putting Johnny in that defensive role. He can't handle that yet, especially against the heavier power wingers.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I'm not sure I'd characterize Gaudreau and Hudler as guys that would rather pass then shoot. They're pretty adept at both.

Really? I feel both of them are very much pass first guys, but I do agree both are very good shooters (Johnny's shot will also improve as he adds more beef). Hudler has found a pretty good balance between when he shoots and when he passes IMO, but Johnny's still searching. I think he'd be a far more effective player (on top of how crazy effective he already is, so this is no complaint) if he shot more, I actually think he dishes the puck off frequently when it's painfully obvious the best play is for him to take a shot, especially considering how accurate he is.

But end of the day, both of them IMO seem to be "playmakers" first, but clearly have great shots as well, making them very deadly.

[CliffFletcher]

It seems like a smart move. Teams were already matching their top defensive line and d-men against Gaudreau/Hudler. And it's not as though the Monahan/Glencross line was lighting it up, so no worries about all the eggs in one basket. I don't think speed is an issue, and down low the combination of smarts and hands on that line will be very effective (and has been earlier in the season).

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

I actually do hope Glencross does get Stajan as his center. Jones with them.

Keep Byron and Backlund together, they have shown to work well together, especially on the PK. I would add Bouma to that line.

Granlund with Raymond and Colborne.

Just don't know how the ice time would work out with those combos.

Love the sound of that, but I agree it might not be enough ice time to go around. If you only have say 45 minutes of 5 on 5 a night, that's only 11 minutes per line and that's not great for the top two units.

Other side to the argument is the momentum that can be gained from rolling four lines.

Very different team with Bollig out.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

If you pair Backlund with Johnny, which I can see offesnively, but hen put him up against top lines (which Backlund can do capably), you are also putting Johnny in that defensive role. He can't handle that yet, especially against the heavier power wingers.

Plus do you really want your two best zone entry players on the same line? I asked this in a game story this week; does that defeat the purpose or give a line two options making it tough to defend against?

[the_only_turek_fan]

I think he has played his best hockey with Colborne at his side.

I would leave him with Joe and either one of Hudler and Gaudreau.

[the_only_turek_fan]

On the topic of Monahan.....his defensive game is unbelievable. Especially at this age. I kept my eye on him during the Detroit game and his back checking is impressive.

[ThatsRobbery]

I really like it just to maybe get Mony going a little offensively. The Baertschi-Mony-Hudler line had some good chemistry last year, so adding Gaudreau instead of Sven is a nice little upgrade. I think it should workout just fine, Huds and Johnny seem to work with any centre, so having a most promising one couldn't hurt I don't think.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

On the topic of Monahan.....his defensive game is unbelievable. Especially at this age. I kept my eye on him during the Detroit game and his back checking is impressive.

his foot speed on his partial break was good to see too.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Plus do you really want your two best zone entry players on the same line? I asked this in a game story this week; does that defeat the purpose or give a line two options making it tough to defend against?

First world problems I wouldn't be afraid to try both over the next 10 games if I were Hartley. I think it's more of an issue to figure out who to play a defensive role - Backlund or Monahan, and then put Johnny on the one who isn't shutting the top line down.

As for ice time, I don't think any of the up and comers need to dominate ice time-wise. I like the idea of 2 top lines and 2 bottom lines with about the asme ice time in each category (the top 2 with 15-19 minutes each, the bottom two with 12-15).

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

I think he has played his best hockey with Colborne at his side.

I would leave him with Joe and either one of Hudler and Gaudreau.

The problem is that Johnny looked a bit off without Hudler last game. Then again, he has to figure that out eventually. I agree Colborne and Monahan work well together. Let's not forget Colborne was a really good prospect and I think is just a late bloomer. I still love his potential. And on this team I think he needs to be a RW going forward.

[krynski]

This is the line I've been waiting for.

[#-3]

I think the most important thing for this line will be, if guys like Glencross, Backlund, Jones & Colborne taking advantage of what will likely be a weaker quality of competition.

So far this season Hartley had spread our depth out allot more, now there is a line teams can really zone in on with their defensive assignments, and if the other guys can't put teams on their heals it may be hard for the first line to get things started.