Sean Monahan. Consistent performer from season to season.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Mike F

I don't know, and I never said anything about what I think his personal expectations actually are other than "I do hope that he's pushing himself, and being pushed by those around him, to strive to be a top 5 centre year in and year out, not just a 10 to 15 guy". But it does seem like some on this board are setting their expectations for him lower than that, accepting 60 points as fine production on an ongoing basis, which is what I'm arguing against.

You disagree that a consistent range of 60 points / season is an acceptable level of production by fans for Sean Monahan? Do you think we should be disappointed if he never improves on this number?

[delayedreflex]

Originally Posted by Brewmaster

Monahan has been remarkably consistent in scoring goals since coming into the league. He has a combination of a deadly shot, soft hands, and a sense of positioning that very few players can match.

That being said, he seemingly lacks intensity and plays a bit soft compared to other guys his size. I think the majority of the criticism he gets stems from this, with an expectation that a Canadian born 6'+ center should play with more physicality than Monahan has shown. It would be nice to see him show a bit of a mean streak, especially given that he wears an 'A' and plays alongside Johnny most of the time.

I don't know if it's really in his nature to show a mean streak, but more consistent intensity would be welcome. He definitely shows flashes of it sometimes. I think he could have the capability to be hard to move off the puck like a Kopitar-type, which if he could do consistently would be ideal I think.

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

You disagree that a consistent range of 60 points / season is an acceptable level of production by fans for Sean Monahan? Do you think we should be disappointed if he never improves on this number?

Yes. I think if Monahan never exceeds the 60 point range it will be a disappointment. I think he has the tools and potential to top out as a ppg player, especially playing with a linemate like Gaudreau.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by delayedreflex

I don't know if it's really in his nature to show a mean streak, but more consistent intensity would be welcome. He definitely shows flashes of it sometimes. I think he could have the capability to be hard to move off the puck like a Kopitar-type, which if he could do consistently would be ideal I think.

Sean is probably a lot like Dougie Hamilton in the not knowing his size/strength. Hamilton is now 23 and just starting to be more assertive physically and harder to knock off the puck. Think Monahan will find a similar path. Sometimes these bigger guys just aren't as physical as we'd like them to be or that they know.

And I'll just piggy back off that to throw out the general comment that I hate when people call Monahan soft. Maybe he doesn't engage first or isn't as mean as you'd like but a player doesn't constantly go to the hard areas to score goals like he does if you're soft. Soft players stay to the perimeters. Monahan could probably be a soft 15-20 goal scorer but he goes to the nasty areas of the ice in close to get 30+

[HappyGilmore]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Sean is probably a lot like Dougie Hamilton in the not knowing his size/strength. Hamilton is now 23 and just starting to be more assertive physically and harder to knock off the puck. Think Monahan will find a similar path. Sometimes these bigger guys just aren't as physical as we'd like them to be or that they know.

And I'll just piggy back off that to throw out the general comment that I hate when people call Monahan soft. Maybe he doesn't engage first or isn't as mean as you'd like but a player doesn't constantly go to the hard areas to score goals like he does if you're soft. Soft players stay to the perimeters. Monahan could probably be a soft 15-20 goal scorer but he goes to the nasty areas of the ice in close to get 30+

You're telling me a grown man doesn't know his own strength. But YOU do? Plain and simple these guys are not physical. They've played this way their entire life. Nothing wrong with this at all.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by HappyGilmore

You're telling me a grown man doesn't know his own strength. But YOU do?

Seemed like that's exactly what he was telling you. And they have not been full-grown man weight their entire careers at all. In Hamilton's case in particular, he's filled out to a point where's much larger than your average NHL player.

He wasn't a very physical player in the past, but he's shown flashes of being more so now that he's filled out.

I think it's a much more common occurrence with players in their early 20s than you're making it out to be.

[HappyGilmore]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Seemed like that's exactly what he was telling you. And they have not been full-grown man weight their entire careers at all. In Hamilton's case in particular, he's filled out to a point where's much larger than your average NHL player.

He wasn't a very physical player in the past, but he's shown flashes of being more so now that he's filled out.

I think it's a much more common occurrence with players in their early 20s than you're making it out to be.

What I'm getting at is pysical play has never been an asset they bring to the table. Not sure why he thinks that'll change, because "they don't know what they are capabale of!" They are pros

[Beninho]

Everyone knows back injuries linger and like every lingering injury it takes a while to trust your body again. This is what happened to Monahan, it was so obvious. Monahan has one of the most underrated wrist shots in the league, it seems like he's a turned it up a gear when looking for lanes to shoot in as well. Shooting at angles he usually wouldn't and it's paying off. Love his game right now and is showing why he is and will continue to be a 1C for this team.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Mike F

Yes. I think if Monahan never exceeds the 60 point range it will be a disappointment. I think he has the tools and potential to top out as a ppg player, especially playing with a linemate like Gaudreau.

Yes. It would certainly be disappointing if we look back at his career and he never improved on the point totals from his 3rd season. That doesn't discount other improvements he can make too.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

I think it's a much more common occurrence with players in their early 20s than you're making it out to be.

Are there really many examples of forwards that switched to a more physical style after 3+ seasons in the league?

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Are there really many examples of forwards that switched to a more physical style after 3+ seasons in the league?

Who used the term "more physical style"?

It was suggested that like Hamilton, now that he's filled out with more adult weight he may start using his frame more effectively.... and that's entirely possible.

I don't think anyone said / expects he's going to develop a mean streak and be a different player.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Are there really many examples of forwards that switched to a more physical style after 3+ seasons in the league?

Who even made that claim?

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by HappyGilmore

What I'm getting at is pysical play has never been an asset they bring to the table. Not sure why he thinks that'll change, because "they don't know what they are capabale of!" They are pros

Not really sure how to put it more clearly: Players who start in the NHL right after the draft enter the NHL (largely) with teenage frames. As they enter their early 20s, they fill out and put on "man weight".

Once a player fills out, it's not uncommon to see them become more physically involved when they find out they can play a heavier game.

You said they "have played that way all their lives" and that isn't the case. They haven't had full adult frames their entire lives and it's definitely an element that can change somewhat. It doesn't have to be as drastic as developing a mean streak, just adapting to using that added size more effectively.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Who used the term "more physical style"?

It was suggested that like Hamilton, now that he's filled out with more adult weight he may start using his frame more effectively.... and that's entirely possible.

I don't think anyone said / expects he's going to develop a mean streak and be a different player.

Who used the term "mean streak"? So you are not suggesting he will play more "physically". So what is it he might change exactly?

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Not really sure how to put it more clearly: Players who start in the NHL right after the draft enter the NHL (largely) with teenage frames. As they enter their early 20s, they fill out and put on "man weight".

Once a player fills out, it's not uncommon to see them become more physically involved when they find out they can play a heavier game.

You said they "have played that way all their lives" and that isn't the case. They haven't had full adult frames their entire lives and it's definitely an element that can change somewhat. It doesn't have to be as drastic as developing a mean streak, just adapting to using that added size more effectively.

Now I'm confused. You are suggesting Monahan may get more "physically involved" but not play a more "physical style"?

In any case, I can see the logic but what players in particular have done this? Defensemen are different IMO.

[HappyGilmore]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Who even made that claim?

So what is it you're trying to say?

[timbit]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Yep, one just got recognized as one of the best 100 players to ever play the game and has only hit 70 points once in his career.

Hope he turns out to be that good.

[Par]

The question is, can we win with Sean Monahan as our #1 center? Bennett is not looking good now.

[timbit]

Originally Posted by Par

The question is, can we win with Sean Monahan as our #1 center? Bennett is not looking good now.

How about we be patient and give them both a chance to develop.

I have very high hopes for both of them. They are both still very young.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by timbit

How about we be patient and give them both a chance to develop.

I have very high hopes for both of them. They are both still very young.

I agree. In his 3rd season last year, Monahan was the 12th highest scoring centre in the league. Pretty darn good.