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Monday afternoon the Calgary Flames signed top prospect Sean Monahan to a three-year entry-level contract.
While nothing will be given the 18-year-old pivot who was selected 6th overall during the NHL Draft in June, chances are he'll be on the Flames opening night roster.
Whether he stays in Calgary for a nine game look or remains with the team for the entire season is yet to be determined, but there's certainly a good chance he remains in the NHL all season long.
The youth movement is on in Calgary and while you could argue the Flames should bring in a top-6 centerman to allow the likes of Monahan, Corban Knight, Mark Jankowski, etc. another year to develop, you could make a strong case that Monahan and perhaps Knight are NHL ready right now.
As of now there is a vacant slot on the 3rd line at center, and if Monahan shows he is capable of playing in the NHL, which I expect he will, that's where the Flames should utilize him - at least to start.
When developing young players, especially centerman, you don't want to bring them up and throw them to the wolves. You have to ease them in and let them get their feet wet before playing them against top competition.
Monahan is a solid two-way forward but I don't think he should be given minutes in all situations to start. Allow him to play on the 3rd line with a couple quality wingers, one of which should be above average defensively, and let him grow there.
Feed him some offensive zone starts, some 2nd unit power play time and put him in situations where he can produce and succeed, but there isn't an excessive amount of pressure to do so.
Mikael Backlund is a developing two-way centerman who can drive possession. Matt Stajan is a proven NHL centerman who despite the heat he takes, is capable of playing tough defensive minutes if not anything else. Let those two, Stajan in particular, take on the tough competition and free up Monahan to do his thing.
This could be all for not and Monahan could end up being sent back to the OHL, but given his talent and the way Jay Feaster and the Flames have been talking about him, it sounds like he'll be given every opportunity to make the team this season.
Having seen Monahan play many times over the last couple years, I know that when he's given an opportunity, he usually takes it and runs with it.
The Flames and their fans are hoping he does just that.
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Flames re-sign Mark Cundari + schedule released.
Flames sign Patrick Sieloff.
A look at how the Flames 3 1st round picks performed in the CHL last season.
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