Poor defensive play of Gaudreau-Monahan line holding Flames back

[CroFlames]

Monahan as a 2nd line RW haha.


Thanks for the chuckle, now I've heard it all. (I think).

[really?]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Monahan as a 2nd line RW haha.


Thanks for the chuckle, now I've heard it all. (I think).

Because he can't handle it, or he's above all that? People have no problem with Lindhom in such as capacity, and he appears to have a superior skillset.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by really?

Because he can't handle it, or he's above all that? People have no problem with Lindhom in such as capacity, and he appears to have a superior skillset.

Over four years, Monahan has shown exactly where he belongs.

My God, yes he had a horrible game against the Habs bu t that was a team effort, not just a Monahan effort.

There is blending lines but moving Monahan to second line winger is not a blend I want to see.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by really?

Because he can't handle it, or he's above all that? People have no problem with Lindhom in such as capacity, and he appears to have a superior skillset.

Has Lindholm actually shown that? I don't really think he has and if you look at his production he has been as streaky as Ferland.

Unfortunately for us, I don't think either Lindholm or Monahan are great defensively.

[Resolute 14]

Looking at last year's numbers, Lindholm had worse advanced stats and scored half as many goals (also represntative of their careers), fewer assists, worse plus/minus, etc.

If Lindholm has a superior skillset, it hasn't really manifested.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Looking at last year's numbers, Lindholm had worse advanced stats and scored half as many goals (also represntative of their careers), fewer assists, worse plus/minus, etc.

If Lindholm has a superior skillset, it hasn't really manifested.

But he is off to a hot start so it doesn't matter

[The Boy Wonder]

Monahan has not been great so far this year. I know its early but he seems to have taken a step back defensively. Offensively he hasn't been awful, at just under a PPG but his energy has been lacking, and seems to be out of the play emotionally.

I don't think it would be the worst thing in the world to move him to play with Bennett and Neal for a game or a period, and bump lindholm to 1C and czarnick or dube on RW but I think we are overreacting.

Remember how slow Iggy used to be to get going every single year? and yet it all worked out fine in the end for him too.

[Machiavelli]

Not convinced Monahan's wrist is 100%

That said, an amazing player that the Flames are lucky to have.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

Not convinced Monahan's wrist is 100%

That said, an amazing player that the Flames are lucky to have.

He took a big shot to his ankle one game too...that could also impact his game.

[troutman]

The playmaker is LW, and the sniper is C.

That is a bit reverse of the usual set-up?

[Bonded]

I will say though, if Lindholm could take over the #1 spot then we would be stacked.



I don't think the chances are very likely though unless he has a late breakout.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Monahan as a 2nd line RW haha.


Thanks for the chuckle, now I've heard it all. (I think).

2nd line RW may not make sense but no player should be immune to moving up and down the lineup if it helps balance the team. Nothing wrong with experiments.

[Jore]

i've never been convinced by monahan as a complete centre, despite his reputation coming out of junior. he's not strong enough on the puck, he seldom wins puck battles deep in his zone. he's not crafty enough with his passes or movement (when there is no pass) coming out of his zone to beat pressure. his slow skating also limits his effectiveness off the puck. often he wins an initial puck battle but is too slow to make a play and gets his pocket picked or drawn into a secondary battle, which gets sloppy and defeats the fast transition style they want to play. this is to say he can be better about when to be patient and when to speed up the transition.

he's got an elite shot and good offensive weapons, but this season has really struggled in his own end and in the neutral zone, where the game is won or lost in this era. backlund is nearly flawless at doing the things that monahan can't btw, but then again, monahan does things that backlund doesn't do. i wonder how they'd do as linemates...

monahan's been leaky defensively for a few years now, and so far this year the line has generated goals, but the rates and balance of play is not sustainable for long term success. they're getting hemmed in 5 on 5 too often. i think he can be better than he's shown this year so far, but it doesn't look like he'll ever be a 2-way workhorse. luckily, that probably doesn't matter if he can get his head above water like he did last year.