I really don't see it in the way he plays. He just doesn't engage defensively at all when I watch him out there. One handed poke checks, doesn't go to the boards, doesn't block shots... might as well not be on the ice when the puck is in the defensive end.

In terms of posession, he's a turnover machine - I also remember distinctly in his rookie year thinking we had a Datsyuk on our hands. A guy that would give it up occasionally, but fought like hell to get the puck back. He gives it away more now than he ever did and gets it back far less. Compare these stats to guys like Marner, Matthews, Kucherov, Crosby and you'll see a different player.

He blocked 9 shots last year... Marner blocked 40. Hell, McDavid blocked 25. If you're relying purely on CORSI/FENWICK, he looks fine defensively, but his +/- (yes, poopty stat, but relevant in comparison to other scorers) is in the crapper, he doesn't hit, take the puck away or block shots nearly as frequently as his peers and is a turnover machine

It's not about trashing his defensive game, it's that there is so much room for more there and hopefully he rounds out his game at some point. Yzerman scored a ton in his younger days, and learned that a better all around game was best to help his team win. Hopefully Johnny sees the same.

*edit* side note, this actually where Monahan is trending as a player. A better all around guy. We just crap on him because he's not scoring more/driving play. He's doing some of that harder work on that line. Going to the boards, taking pucks away, blocking shots...
- rmull905

That's why I think Monahan would be more efficient playing on the wing. Also because of his foot speed. Coleman & Mangiapane feeding him in the slot. Perhaps on the right wing would be better for his release.

I think this is why he was not traded. If no one is offering equal value then there is not point.

What do people think about Tage Thompson? Seems like he needs a new home.
- DuranDuran

Yeah, if we trade Gaudreau, we need his ppg in return.

I get it, but I think he might be worse than you think... I'm positing that he's an actual liability out on the ice. Which is not what you want, even from a gifted offensive guy.
- rmull905

Fair enough. I'll have to pay more attention this season. I'm an eye test guy, mainly because I don't know what the hell all the advanced stats mean, and he just doesn't seem that bad when I watch.

That's why I think Monahan would be more efficient playing on the wing. Also because of his foot speed. Coleman & Mangiapane feeding him in the slot. Perhaps on the right wing would be better for his release.
- drogon

Has Monahan ever played wing? Kind of a kick in the pants switching him over. Could be worth looking into.

Has Monahan ever played wing? Kinda a kick in the pants to him switching him over IMO.
- DuranDuran

If he were top 30 in the league or 50 for that manner on faceoff percentage (won), well, maybe. He's way down the list... Not the only metric but an important one.

https://www.espn.com/nhl/...sort/faceoffsWon/count/81

Has Monahan ever played wing? Kind of a kick in the pants switching him over. Could be worth looking into.
- DuranDuran

He could be dangerous on the wing. The transition can be difficult from junior to NHL for a centre, this is the most difficult position. You need to be a good skater, unless you drive plays and are a gifted playmaker.

https://calgarysun.com/sp...g-to-make-room-for-gawdin

Coleman is probably tour 4th best forward on the team !! So what is the problem? Most teams would take him in a heartbeat!!

You can’t echiel he will fit in with your crying fan back!! Al you guys do is wine!! Have some cheese with that yearly whining!!!

You can’t echiel he will fit in with your crying fan back!! Al you guys do is wine!! Have some cheese with that yearly whining!!!
- Rsh

I guess we have not been through nearly as much as the Buffalo fanbase. You are right. We should feel more fortunate.

You can’t echiel he will fit in with your crying fan back!! Al you guys do is wine!! Have some cheese with that yearly whining!!!
- Rsh

Can you please repost this in English? Not crying, just trying to get a grasp at what you're saying. I don't speak Buffalo.

Can you please repost this in English? Not crying, just trying to get a grasp at what you're saying. I don't speak Buffalo.
- K-man25

If the Flames don’t make any more changes, it makes the most sense to put Coleman with Gaudreau and Monahan. If Gaudreau and Lindholm keep it up, Monahan and Tkachuk bounce back, and Mangiapane takes the next step, they have the potential to have one of the best top sixes in the league. Coleman is coming to Calgary in the same situation Hudler did, and that worked pretty well. A Tkachuk, Lindholm, Gaudreau line makes them too top heavy. Monahan, Mangiapane, and Coleman are all complimentary players.

They could also have one of the better 3rd lines in the league if Lucic and Backlund can stave off falling off the cliff for another year.

I think they'll keep the Gaudreau - Lindholm - Tkachuk line in tact to start the season.

Based on Coleman's highlights, he MIGHT prefer hanging out up high in the D zone - he's stripped D-men of the puck at the blueline and took it down the ice for several goals..that's not conducive to playing with Gaudreau, who has to hang out by the blueline.

Also, putting Monahan/Gaudreau together is building a line around 2 softies. For Sutter's system, you pretty much have to split them up.

I think we'll see:
Gaudreau - Lindholm - Tkachuk
Mangiapane - Monahan - Coleman

I'm equally eager to see:
Mangiapane/Tkachuk - Lindholm - Coleman
That would be a nasty line but Gaudreau would end up with Monahan/Backlund

PS Lucic absolutely won't be captain (lol)

Can you please repost this in English? Not crying, just trying to get a grasp at what you're saying. I don't speak Buffalo.
- K-man25

Ha ha right?

If the Flames don’t make any more changes, it makes the most sense to put Coleman with Gaudreau and Monahan. If Gaudreau and Lindholm keep it up, Monahan and Tkachuk bounce back, and Mangiapane takes the next step, they have the potential to have one of the best top sixes in the league. Coleman is coming to Calgary in the same situation Hudler did, and that worked pretty well. A Tkachuk, Lindholm, Gaudreau line makes them too top heavy. Monahan, Mangiapane, and Coleman are all complimentary players.

They could also have one of the better 3rd lines in the league if Lucic and Backlund can stave off falling off the cliff for another year.
- Squeaky

With the success of 19, 28, 13 last year as a line the only way I feel Sutter doesn't play them is if we get Eichel. I think we'll all be suprized with a healthy, motivated Monahan.
I agree/hope Lucic won't be named captain.

Dude it always spring here. I live down in a valley below Quito and it is year-round shorts weather.

I am heading to Antofagasta, in Northern Chile for work next month. A guy I used to play hockey with here in Quito moved to Ushuaia in Southern Argentina. My plan is to try and get down there and play some pond hockey there next year.

At least it getting colder in Cowtown means hockey will start soon and we can see this team lose games but beat the poop out of the other team.
- DuranDuran

Man, must be nice to wear shorts year-round. Here I feel like summer starts and before you know it, it's fall again. You travel a lot... pond hockey is always so much fun... you'll have a blast.

Ya, i agree with you, our team will be mean to play against but I am not sure if we are built to win the way the roster is. Beating up on the other team will still be fun though . Can't wait for hockey to get going... been so quite on the hockey front this month

Why is Calgary so hesitant on pulling the trigger on Eichel?
Zary, Coronado, 2 first rd picks.
Eichel, Tkachuk, Hanafin is a good core.
You can restock the picks w Lindholm and Gaudereu down the line.
I get the "injury" but it's Jack freakng Eichel he's thrilling.
Plus Eichel vs McDavid would be cool for hockey.
Thoughts?

Why is Calgary so hesitant on pulling the trigger on Eichel?
Zary, Coronado, 2 first rd picks.
Eichel, Tkachuk, Hanafin is a good core.
You can restock the picks w Lindholm and Gaudereu down the line.
I get the "injury" but it's Jack freakng Eichel he's thrilling.
Plus Eichel vs McDavid would be cool for hockey.
Thoughts?
- c2rds

I think you're on the wrong forum... the Sabres blog is two rows up from this one.

Why is Calgary so hesitant on pulling the trigger on Eichel?
Zary, Coronado, 2 first rd picks.
Eichel, Tkachuk, Hanafin is a good core.
You can restock the picks w Lindholm and Gaudereu down the line.
I get the "injury" but it's Jack freakng Eichel he's thrilling.
Plus Eichel vs McDavid would be cool for hockey.
Thoughts?
- c2rds

Hmmm, you make some compelling arguements. I will send a memo immediately marked "urgent" to Mr. Treliving.

I think this is why he was not traded. If no one is offering equal value then there is not point.

What do people think about Tage Thompson? Seems like he needs a new home.
- DuranDuran

Wouldn't say no too quickly depending on the cost, but feels a little bit like a Brett Ritchie? Dunno, haven't seen him play much, numbers aren't overwhelming.

Wild concept if we do trade Gaudreau and try to acquire Eichel at the same time...

To Buffalo - who needs to hit the cap floor:

50% Gaudreau cap hit
Lucic
Eller
Zary
Lapierre/McMichael
Valimaki
1st from Calgary

To Washington:
Gaudreau at 50% cap hit (basically trading Eller's hit for Gaudreau)

To Calgary:
Eichel
Leason

Washington gets Gaudreau to help with another Cup run and give up a blue chipper and a decent prospect to get him at a reduced hit, Buffalo gets 3 pretty solid prospects and a pick, Calgary gets Eichel and a bit of a prospect/project in Leason (who I wanted Tre to draft in the first place). Big bodied C/RW that Sutter would like to have I'm sure.

Am I nuts? Probably am. Didn't spend a ton of time thinking this one through

With the success of 19, 28, 13 last year as a line the only way I feel Sutter doesn't play them is if we get Eichel. I think we'll all be suprized with a healthy, motivated Monahan.
I agree/hope Lucic won't be named captain.
- K-man25

Obviously, Gaudreau, Lindholm, Tkachuk would be their best line, but they'd be too top-heavy. I'm more positive than most on Monahan, but he's doesn't drive the play. If he's playing with Mangiapane and Coleman, they'd need a massive jump from one of them to be a solid second line.

If the Flames want to be competitive, they really need Monahan to bounce back. His best chance to do that is with Gaudreau. If Monahan can get back to 25-35 goals, and the rest of the top six I proposed plays at least close to the best we've seen them play, the Flames have a great shot at winning the division.

Gaudreau and Monahan are also best buds. A successful year together is going to make it easier for the Flames to resign Gaudreau.

The Oilers' best line is clearly McDavid, Draisaitl, and RNH, but they're not going to be a successful team rolling that out every night.

Why is Calgary so hesitant on pulling the trigger on Eichel?
Zary, Coronado, 2 first rd picks.
Eichel, Tkachuk, Hanafin is a good core.
You can restock the picks w Lindholm and Gaudereu down the line.
I get the "injury" but it's Jack freakng Eichel he's thrilling.
Plus Eichel vs McDavid would be cool for hockey.
Thoughts?
- c2rds

If that's all it took for Eichel, the Flames would be all over it. Unfortunately, neither Zary or Coronato are on the Flames' cap and neither are the draft picks.

If the Flames are actually in on Eichel, Monahan has to be part of the deal. What's likely holding things up is Buffalo sees Monahan as a cap dump and Calgary sees him as an asset. It's also likely Monahan doesn't want to go to Buffalo.

Obviously, Gaudreau, Lindholm, Tkachuk would be their best line, but they'd be too top-heavy. I'm more positive than most on Monahan, but he's doesn't drive the play. If he's playing with Mangiapane and Coleman, they'd need a massive jump from one of them to be a solid second line.

If the Flames want to be competitive, they really need Monahan to bounce back. His best chance to do that is with Gaudreau. If Monahan can get back to 25-35 goals, and the rest of the top six I proposed plays at least close to the best we've seen them play, the Flames have a great shot at winning the division.

Gaudreau and Monahan are also best buds. A successful year together is going to make it easier for the Flames to resign Gaudreau.

The Oilers' best line is clearly McDavid, Draisaitl, and RNH, but they're not going to be a successful team rolling that out every night.
- Squeaky

Mony, Lindy and Johnny need to get back on the purple BioSteel

If that's all it took for Eichel, the Flames would be all over it. Unfortunately, neither Zary or Coronato are on the Flames' cap and neither are the draft picks.

If the Flames are actually in on Eichel,Backlund has to be part of the deal. What's likely holding things up is Buffalo sees Backlund as a cap dump and Calgary sees him as an asset. It's also likely Backlund doesn't want to go to Buffalo.
- Squeaky

Fixed that for you, you're welcome!

Treliving's working hard, only Dubé & Mackey remain unsigned.