Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau Appreciation thread

[Monahammer]

Inspired by N-E-B's post in the PGT Thread:

Originally Posted by N-E-B

Gotta give credit where credit is due: Johnny and Monahan look like they’re out to prove people wrong and I love it. Both with 7 points in 5 games. I know it’s early but they’re both scoring at a better pace than players like Draisaitl, MacKinnon, Matthews, Eichel, Tavares, Crosby, Kane, Panarin...

Really nice to see this start from the boys. Not sure if it will be sustainable but I sure hope it is.

I believe we need a thread to show our appreciation and support for the dynamic duo. It seems the spark is back with these two as they have connected on some excellent plays this year, and both are clearly backing up their play. Both have shown renewed consistency in the D zone and their chemistry is back to pre ASG 2018-19 level.

They deserve our praise and confidence going forward this season. It is still early but they have come in ready and rearing to go.

[Jiri Hrdina]

I would pump the brakes a little, as I would largely describe their performance as adequate so far. They've been week 5 on 5 in some games, and slow to start in others.
Not worthy of thread-dedicated praise yet. Trending in the right way, but they should be held to a higher bar.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Glad they're playing better but they're really just doing what they should be. I don't actually think they've been outstanding outside of the PP; would still like to see another gear 5 on 5.
Not complaining about their play, but certainly not at appreciation thread happy levels either.

[Buff]

Advanced stats aside. Johnny's body language shows that he is much more engaged. This year the puck doesn't seem to bounce off his stick like a teeny bouncer. He appears to be more focused.

If feels like Monahan is carrying the puck a bit more instead of a half second redirect pass to somebody else. One thing that I think doesn't go in Monahan's direction is his lack of facial expressions. Happy or sad he looks the same. Some people read too much into players facial expressions to gauge how hard they think a player is trying.

I think it helps that Lindolm isn't their winger. I mean, it would help to have him on their wing, but then they're putting all their eggs into one basket and leaving Tkachuk to carry the 2nd line scoring on his own, but then they were using that 2nd line as a shutdown line. This year they have two scoring lines in Gaudreau & Monahan and Tkachuk and Lindolm. All the focus is not on the top line anymore because there are two lines to that can be a threat.

[SeanCharles]

I’ve been happy with them for sure.

I don’t know if it’s related to the line shuffling or the lay-off but I haven’t been impressed with Backlund since returning from the 5 day break. The whole line didn’t really look any good until Leivo was removed from it last game where Bennett seemed to start flying around making things happen.

The Johnny/Monny line has been the least of our worries.

Hopefully when Dube returns it balances the top 9 again but we really need to start trying some different things out on the 4th line IMO.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I would pump the brakes a little, as I would largely describe their performance as adequate so far. They've been week 5 on 5 in some games, and slow to start in others.
Not worthy of thread-dedicated praise yet. Trending in the right way, but they should be held to a higher bar.

Come on man. You want to run one or both of these guys out of town - there is no wait and see with your narrative. When others are talking about their flaws your posts are non stop. It's totally transparent.

You seem to have only one outcome that would be sufficient.

[Two Fivenagame]

Is it unfair to withhold the fist bumps until they've won a playoff round?

I feel like I've seen this before, just like Bennett being a stud in the playoffs and a no show for the regular season.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Two Fivenagame

Is it unfair to withhold the fist bumps until they've won a playoff round?

I feel like I've seen this before, just like Bennett being a stud in the playoffs and a no show for the regular season.

I don't think this is an "all-or-nothing" situation. Monahan and Gaudreau will most definitely need to prove that they can raise their game to a higher level in the playoffs, but that shouldn't preclude us from being excited about their regular season success. I, for one, will be really happy if they both end the season looking better than they looked in 2020.

[TheIronMaiden]

It's not lost on me that they are playing with 4th liners to start the season.

I know they made Ferland, Hudler and Colborne look good, but those guys could handle and shoot the puck.

I don't think Simon and Levio are bad players, I just think they are better suited for a 4th line energy role.

When Dube is healthy does Mangiapane get a shot with JG and SM ?

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

It's not lost on me that they are playing with 4th liners to start the season.

I know they made Ferland, Hudler and Colborne look good, but those guys could handle and shoot the puck.

I don't think Simon and Levio are bad players, I just think they are better suited for a 4th line energy role.

When Dube is healthy does Mangiapane get a shot with JG and SM ?

I still would prefer Mangiapane on Backlund's wing. I don't think either player has looked as good over the last three games as they did when they were together in Games 1 and 2.

[Ragnar]

Joke of a thread.

Every time their line is out 5 on 5 it's almost a guarantee turnover, and sustained pressure in our own end. If you're happy with these guys then you need to stop stat watching and pay attention to the games. Quite frankly both guys are softer than puppy sh/t, and don't seem to care if we win or lose.

Powerplay specialist floaters on your top line =/= NHL Success, especially in the playoffs. But I guess after 7 years we still don't wanna talk about that.

[dino7c]

Joke of a post

If over a ppg isn't enough some people will never be happy

How many players making less than 7m are over a ppg right now?

They are also both plus players on a team that lost 3 of 5

[Snuffleupagus]

They're both starting to play on their strengths and instincts again instead of worrying about just the system. Lots of offensive players go thru this tug of war and have a bad season. Patrick Kane spoke of going to the Swiss league being told "do what you do best" as a very positive influence in his game.

Johnny(due to his size) especially needs to play "his" game because in his case the best defense is his offensive abilities

[CSharp]

Until near season end and playoffs begin...

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by CSharp

Until near season end and playoffs begin...

Maybe that should be directed at Gaudreau, but since Monahan has been a Flame he leads them in playoff PPG%.

[SuperMatt18]

For the most part I think Monahan has looked really good this season.

Much more engaged, and way more confident with the puck. Using his body to win puck battles and positioning more often.

Johnny is similar but for him it's all about moving his feet. When he's skating he is a difference maker, but he's a liability if he's not skating and putting in that effort.

Overall they have had a couple of bad periods but I've been generally encouraged by their start to the season.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

Joke of a thread.

Every time their line is out 5 on 5 it's almost a guarantee turnover, and sustained pressure in our own end. If you're happy with these guys then you need to stop stat watching and pay attention to the games. Quite frankly both guys are softer than puppy sh/t, and don't seem to care if we win or lose.

Powerplay specialist floaters on your top line =/= NHL Success, especially in the playoffs. But I guess after 7 years we still don't wanna talk about that.

None of this is true so far this season.

57% Corsi For
58% Expected Goals For

3 Goals For
1 Goal Against

Add the 6 powerplay goals they have been on the ice for together to that as well and they have been on the ice for 9 goals for, and 1 goal against this season...that seems pretty good.

The have been genuinely good even at 5v5 this year through 5 games, and have not been a liability defensively at all, but sure see what you want to see.

[kukkudo]

Win a playoff round and perform at a high level towards the end of the season and during the playoffs is all I care about.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

They haven't been bad, and from time to time have looked good. But last night was the first instance this year of what I refer to as "Johnny Games", where he just suddenly decides to be better than everyone on the ice, is the primary carrier of the puck and skates about 30% faster than in other games while making a conscious effort to embarrass the other team's defenders by putting the puck between their legs at every opportunity. Win or lose, it's a beautiful thing to watch.

The hope is that he does it more, and not just when the team is embarrassed in the first the way they were yesterday.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Oh hilarious.

Have we gone full circle on these guys now? Have we started underrating them instead of overrating them?

So much negativity for two guys that have done mostly great things in their careers. They are not perfect players, no doubt, but there are few who are.