McKenzie: Gaudreau and Monahan could be the Calgary Flames' Toews and Kane

[Monahan For Mayor]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

All we need now is a #1 RW...

(The ironing is absolutely mind-bottling.)

Sucks that Poirier isn't putting up numbers we expected this year. I know most of us didn't think of him as first line potential, but his speed and tenacity would work great with Johnny and Mony.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Haha.

If this team had a 22-25 year old Iginla right now....damn.

Stammer can easily be converted to RW.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Stammer can easily be converted to RW.

If the Flames didn't break the bank and destroy their cap structure signing him, I would be ecstatic.

[cofias]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Stammer can easily be converted to RW.

Part of the reason he's unhappy in TB is because Cooper won't let him play C.

[Da_Chief]

I think there's a 0.001134% Chance Stamkos signs in Calgary as a UFA.

We should go after a guy like Loui Eriksson if B's don't re-sign him. Turning 30, good 2 -way forward with offensive instincts.

Forwards $40.75 mill (minus Raymond/Bollid = $36.35)
Gaudreau(7.5)-Monahan(6.5)-Eriksson(5.5)
Bennett(2.3)-Granlund(1.0)-Frolik(4.3)
Bouma(2.2)-Stajan(3.125)-Colborne(1.5)
Agostino(0.8)-Arnold(0.8)-Ferland(0.825)
Bollig(1.25)-Raymond(3.15)

Hudler/Jones traded at trade deadline
Backlund/Jooris traded at the draft

Defence $29.6 mill (minus Engelland 26.7)
Giordano(6.75)-Brodie(4.65)
Wideman(5.25)-Hamilton(5.75)
Smid(3.5)-Nakladal(0.8)
Engelland(2.9)

Russell traded at trade deadline

Goalies $4.15 mill (~$9 mill if Engelland or Smid along with Raymond can be moved out as well, of course even better if Wideman can be moved too)
Goalie #1
Goalie #2

If Wideman can be moved then go after Brayden Coburn to play with Hamilton, at a reasonable deal around $4 mill.

[csnarpy]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

All we need now is a #1 RW...

(The ironing is absolutely mind-bottling.)

Thanks given, but still not sure what ironing has to do with it...JG have wrinkly clothes?

[Lanny'sDaMan]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Haha.

If this team had a 22-25 year old Iginla right now....damn.

And a Kipper in his prime...

[Camronius]

Originally Posted by cofias

Part of the reason he's unhappy in TB is because Cooper won't let him play C.

Fine then, we'll settle for Ryan Johansen

[BloodFetish]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

I think there's a 0.001134% Chance Stamkos signs in Calgary as a UFA.

[Vinny01]

Honestly I am not surprised these comparisons are being made now. Several of us on this board have been saying this since last year. Obviously Monahan and Gaudreau had to follow it up this year and they have so the media can start to make this comparison. The rebuild has gone much quicker than anticipated basically only being out of the playoff race completely for 2 years. In 4 of the 6 years we missed the team was never eliminated until late in the seasons.

A huge reason why is out 2 current best players were 4th round picks Brodie(08) and Gaudreau (11). The Flames also hit big on their 2 top 10 picks they did receive adding 2 centers that could jump into the league right away and contribute.

[powderjunkie]

I think for us to emulate the Blackhawks, Gio needs to be our 'Hossa', which would mean consistently being at least 90% of what he was last year.

Our biggest missing ingredient is serviceable goaltending. Someone elite would be great, but I'd be happy with someone like Brian Elliott. He's cheap ($2.5M for 1 more year) and reliable, and still only 30. IMO Gillies is the only guy in the system that has the potential to meet the minimum level necessary to contend, and Elliott would be an ideal placeholder until he may be ready. If we're not keeping Russell, I would think he could fetch Elliott and a pick. Not sure if St Louis has anyone in the system really close, so we might need to include Hiller or Ramo with money held.

[hockey.modern]

^
I really don't see the management going back for Russell after they traded him for a 4th rounder.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Gaudreau comparison is fine but Monahan is not Toews, sadly. Still a good player but that comparison makes little sense to me, very different players.

[Azure]

Yes, Monahan has the capability of pointing up more points than Toews, but there will only be one Toews. He brings so much more to the table. Hard to duplicate.

[bax]

Toews is the most overrated player in the NHL. I can't believe some people think he's the best player in the league. He isn't even the best player on his team.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by bax

Toews is the most overrated player in the NHL. I can't believe some people think he's the best player in the league. He isn't even the best player on his team.

Anyone who thinks Toews is overrated doesn't look beyond scoring statistics when assessing players. He's probably the best defensive forward in the NHL. He could put up more points if he eased off on the defensive responsibilities, like most elite offensive players do.

As a 22 year old, he was assigned the role of shutting down the top opposing forwards in the world, and led the Canadian Olympic team in scoring while doing it. He was deservedly voted the best forward in the tournament. And I haven't seen any signs his all-around play has declined since then.

[bax]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Anyone who thinks Toews is overrated doesn't look beyond scoring statistics when assessing players. He's probably the best defensive forward in the NHL. He could put up more points if he eased off on the defensive responsibilities, like most elite offensive players do.



As a 22 year old, he was assigned the role of shutting down the top opposing forwards in the world, and led the Canadian Olympic team in scoring while doing it. He was deservedly voted the best forward in the tournament. And I haven't seen any signs his all-around play has declined since then.

Not knocking his defensive play, but I think he gets more credit than deserved because of the team he is on. You could interchange Crosby, Malkin, Bergeron, Kopitar, Zetterberg, etc with Toews and I bet that team sees just as much success.

It's harder to score in the NHL than it is to defend.

[Mr.Coffee]

Zetterberg is not as good as Toews. Nor is Kopitar. I'm sorry. No.

Meanwhile, I think Stamkos is a step backward for Calgary, for cap space reasons alone. Let him go get an excruciatingly large amount of money elsewhere for moderate production. The Flames have a great thing going, this is a younger(ish) man's game now. The current plan will eventually work. In fact if the Flames feel the need to burn through a pile of cash, go get a legitimate goaltender and pay away. But offense isn't our most glaring need right now, and Stamkos will be too expensive.

[dash_pinched]

ESPN interview with Johnny Gaudreau.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:14414019

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by bax

Toews is the most overrated player in the NHL. I can't believe some people think he's the best player in the league. He isn't even the best player on his team.

If you want a player that will win scoring titles look elsewhere but if you want to win the cup look no further than Captain Serious.