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Forums :: Blog World :: Todd Cordell: Sean Monahan cracks NHL Network's list of top-20 centers
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Todd Cordell
Location: Barrie, ON
Joined: 02.10.2014

Aug 5 @ 12:03 PM ET
Todd Cordell: Sean Monahan cracks NHL Network's list of top-20 centers
quinneroma
Calgary Flames
Location: Calgary, AB
Joined: 07.26.2015

Aug 5 @ 12:36 PM ET
The NHL Network obviously has no idea what they are talking about, which was obvious by leaving off Mark Giordano off the top 20 defencemen list, when, even before last season he had garnered serious Norris contention, and was a top 10 dman by all metrics available!

Now with Monahan, you're putting him ahead of: Elias Pettersson (one slot behind him), Sean Couturier, Tomas Hertl, Ryan Nugent Hopkins (a #1C on a lot of teams, very good all around player), William Karlsson, Jonathan Toews (who had a nice season last year), Pierre Luc Dubois, Dylan Larkin, Anze Kopitar, Ryan Johansen, Matthew Barzal...

While his stats are impressive and put him ahead of most of those guys scoring wise, anyone who follows the Flames knows that he is really one-dimensional. And ask yourself this: Who from the above list wouldn't you trade one-for-one for Monahan today? I would happily take any one of those guys except maybe Johansen over Monahan to be on the Flames to make us a better team. Please!
Anyways, I hope we see a better all around performance from Monahan this year, I want to like him and cheer for him, but his play/effort/determination/heart is often very uninspiring for me.
SimpleJack
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago , IL
Joined: 05.23.2013

Aug 5 @ 12:54 PM ET
Toews has officially become underrated. He bounced back last season and when he’s playing at that level he’s better than some of the guys on that list.
Donovan
Calgary Flames
Location: Princeton, ON
Joined: 09.20.2015

Aug 5 @ 1:18 PM ET
To say Monahan sucks or doesn't deserve top 20 might be a touch much, the goal of a center is a lot of things yes drive plays, defend all that stuff most importantly score from the slot in front of the net! Seems to be about the only thing he can do and with his size do properly. Does it make him amazing NO but good enough YES I will take someone who can score in front of the net all the time from someone who just drives plays and cant finish, he is very much a part of Johnny's signing with the flames for not enough money and part of his assists total that cannot be discounted. Just sayin!
Saskabush
Calgary Flames
Location: Bridge City, SK
Joined: 10.29.2013

Aug 5 @ 1:20 PM ET
The NHL Network obviously has no idea what they are talking about, which was obvious by leaving off Mark Giordano off the top 20 defencemen list, when, even before last season he had garnered serious Norris contention, and was a top 10 dman by all metrics available!

Now with Monahan, you're putting him ahead of: Elias Pettersson (one slot behind him), Sean Couturier, Tomas Hertl, Ryan Nugent Hopkins (a #1C on a lot of teams, very good all around player), William Karlsson, Jonathan Toews (who had a nice season last year), Pierre Luc Dubois, Dylan Larkin, Anze Kopitar, Ryan Johansen, Matthew Barzal...

While his stats are impressive and put him ahead of most of those guys scoring wise, anyone who follows the Flames knows that he is really one-dimensional. And ask yourself this: Who from the above list wouldn't you trade one-for-one for Monahan today? I would happily take any one of those guys except maybe Johansen over Monahan to be on the Flames to make us a better team. Please!
Anyways, I hope we see a better all around performance from Monahan this year, I want to like him and cheer for him, but his play/effort/determination/heart is often very uninspiring for me.

- quinneroma



1 for 1 trade?

Karlsson (Not a #1 C)
Larkin (Monahan is just better)
Kopitar (old and terrible cap hit)
Toews (old and terrible cap hit)
RNH (Good replacement for Backlund, we need Money's goals more than defense)

Couturier is a wash for me--I think Monahan is a better goal scorer and he's younger. I'd rather stick with the devil I know in Monahan, he's capable of scoring 40 if he stays healthy.

Hertl--dig up all the stats you want. I'll take Monahan. He reminds me of Ales Hemsky--be one of the best players on the ice one game and completely disappear the next. I don't think he's the type of player that will do whatever it takes to win a cup and at least we can expect 30 goals from Money--Hert's 35 last season could be a career high and it was the first time he was able to break 30 goals in his career (Money has three 30+ goal seasons and two 27 goal seasons to start his career).

Who wouldn't want to have Petterson, Barzal or Dubois--they are young and have sky high potential...though I do think Petterson will end up being shifted to the wing at some point. I wouldn't want a 5-9 150 lbs c-man as our #1 guy come playoff time, but that's just me.

This list is garbage (what do you expect when it came from NHL.com) but I think Money earned a spot on it. A players cieling shouldn't be much of factor when making a power ranking, so no issue with him being ahead of guys like Petterson.


DarthProbert
Joined: 06.29.2016

Aug 5 @ 1:24 PM ET
Yeah I think if Detroit called up and offered Larkin for Monahan, the Flames would have to take it.
Allforhim12
Edmonton Oilers
Location: Edmonton, AB
Joined: 08.26.2013

Aug 5 @ 1:31 PM ET
I’m going with Larkin over Monahan as well .
Hunkulese
Calgary Flames
Location: QC
Joined: 09.30.2006

Aug 5 @ 1:36 PM ET
1 for 1 trade?

Karlsson (Not a #1 C)
Larkin (Monahan is just better)
Kopitar (old and terrible cap hit)
Toews (old and terrible cap hit)
RNH (Good replacement for Backlund, we need Money's goals more than defense)


- Saskabush


Flames would jump at all of those. They couldn't do Toews or Kopitar just for cap reasons.

Monahan is good at finding open ice and has one of the best releases in the league. That's what you want in a top-line winger. You need a lot more from a number one centre.
Kevin R
Calgary Flames
Location: E5 = It aint gonna happen.
Joined: 02.10.2010

Aug 5 @ 1:57 PM ET
1 for 1 trade?

Karlsson (Not a #1 C)
Larkin (Monahan is just better)
Kopitar (old and terrible cap hit)
Toews (old and terrible cap hit)
RNH (Good replacement for Backlund, we need Money's goals more than defense)

Couturier is a wash for me--I think Monahan is a better goal scorer and he's younger. I'd rather stick with the devil I know in Monahan, he's capable of scoring 40 if he stays healthy.

Hertl--dig up all the stats you want. I'll take Monahan. He reminds me of Ales Hemsky--be one of the best players on the ice one game and completely disappear the next. I don't think he's the type of player that will do whatever it takes to win a cup and at least we can expect 30 goals from Money--Hert's 35 last season could be a career high and it was the first time he was able to break 30 goals in his career (Money has three 30+ goal seasons and two 27 goal seasons to start his career).

Who wouldn't want to have Petterson, Barzal or Dubois--they are young and have sky high potential...though I do think Petterson will end up being shifted to the wing at some point. I wouldn't want a 5-9 150 lbs c-man as our #1 guy come playoff time, but that's just me.

This list is garbage (what do you expect when it came from NHL.com) but I think Money earned a spot on it. A players cieling shouldn't be much of factor when making a power ranking, so no issue with him being ahead of guys like Petterson.

- Saskabush

Agree with your post. The ones that dont will be the first ones that will whine we dont have any 30-40 goal scorers. I remember the days when we traded guys like St Louis & Hull & then lamented how we couldnt score any frigging goals. Bossy was a sniper, he didnt drive possession either but he was lethal. Monahan is what he is for us & I'll take it.
redseerpf
Calgary Flames
Joined: 06.14.2019

Aug 5 @ 2:09 PM ET
I think the main knock on the Flames 1rst line is that they don't fit the "typical" setting you expect from a trio. Usually the center will be your playmaker and play-driver, and the winger the sniper that gets carried.

Roles are just inverted here. Gaudreau plays like a center, whether Monahan plays like a winger. Monahan is basically Brock Boeser, but taking draws, while Gaudreau is our Petersson.

Just think of Monahan as a winger who happens to be good at taking draws, and people won't be complaining as much. We hear the same knocks on Stamkos in Tampa. Who wouldn't take Stamkos on their team??
buddy_doug
Season Ticket Holder
Joined: 06.20.2011

Aug 5 @ 3:25 PM ET
I love Monahan. I think he is way under rated. People forget that for many years the Flames could not find a #1 centre. How many Iggy years were wasted with no one that could fill the #1 centre spot.

Monny is one of the only guys I know of to be drafted 6th and the next year be a 20 goal scorer and be a consistent 20-30 goal scorer every year since. Monny is current sitting with 20 more goals than MacKinnnon over the same time.
Kevin R
Calgary Flames
Location: E5 = It aint gonna happen.
Joined: 02.10.2010

Aug 5 @ 4:08 PM ET
I love Monahan. I think he is way under rated. People forget that for many years the Flames could not find a #1 centre. How many Iggy years were wasted with no one that could fill the #1 centre spot.

Monny is one of the only guys I know of to be drafted 6th and the next year be a 20 goal scorer and be a consistent 20-30 goal scorer every year since. Monny is current sitting with 20 more goals than MacKinnnon over the same time.

- buddy_doug

Yeah but he doesnt have good analytics & drive possession so we just punt him!
Helios
Calgary Flames
Location: AB
Joined: 08.11.2016

Aug 5 @ 6:53 PM ET
I love Monahan. I think he is way under rated. People forget that for many years the Flames could not find a #1 centre. How many Iggy years were wasted with no one that could fill the #1 centre spot.

Monny is one of the only guys I know of to be drafted 6th and the next year be a 20 goal scorer and be a consistent 20-30 goal scorer every year since. Monny is current sitting with 20 more goals than MacKinnnon over the same time.

- buddy_doug


This. So much. Monahan is criminally underrated and hating on him for not being a playmaker is stupid when he plays on a line with Johnny Gaudreau.

I know Monahan became the whipping boy after the playoffs and some here wanted to ship him off for absolutely nothing but let's stop pretending Gaudreau or Lindholm were any more effective than he was. He had one more point than Gaudreau in the playoffs and the same amount of points as Lindholm. That entire line had a combined 5 points and Gaudreau only had 1, but of course it's all Monahan's fault.

Monahan has scored at least 20 goals in every single season he's played in the NHL and has scored at least 30 three times, but who cares about that right? He sucks because he isn't the playmaker on a line that has Johnny Gaudreau. Then if he does get traded, everyone is going to suddenly start complaining about how the team doesn't score enough goals and wonder why.

30 goal scorers don't grow on trees and Monahan is one. You can't just trade him out and be fine. He is a #1 centre in the NHL. Just because he isn't a playmaker it doesn't make him bad. He doesn't need to be in Calgary. He's always been the trigger man and Johnny has always been the set up man.
Squilliam-
Calgary Flames
Location: Diagon Alley
Joined: 10.25.2016

Aug 5 @ 7:01 PM ET
We need to make a trade for a skilled player that can slot with Tkachuk on the 2nd line
Saskabush
Calgary Flames
Location: Bridge City, SK
Joined: 10.29.2013

Aug 5 @ 8:32 PM ET
We need to make a trade for a skilled player that can slot with Tkachuk on the 2nd line
- Squilliam-


I'd be in favour of converting Tkachuk to a RW and putting him on the top line once we get him signed long term. His presence on the top line could help fix Monahan's perceived weakneses (he's a clutch-big game player, but he does tend to float from time to time)

Johnny Money Tkachuk
Bennett* Backlund Lindholm

*There will be a battle for that last spot in the top 6 all year between Dube, Mangi and Bennett.
Wolfpack5
Carolina Hurricanes
Location: Burlington, NC
Joined: 07.07.2012

Aug 5 @ 9:51 PM ET
It’s rare I disagree with a Cordell post. But Monahan is a legit #1 C in the league. And he puts up the points required to be on a list like this. Guys like Toews, J Staal, Kopitar that are possession driven players that maintain a lot of defensive responsibilities aren’t on the list for a reason. And Toews put up the points last year. There’s not a lot of guys I’d take over Monahan at the #1C spot though he definitely falls in the 15-25 range, where a lot of guys are going to be interchangeable based on the wingers used.
Hunkulese
Calgary Flames
Location: QC
Joined: 09.30.2006

Aug 5 @ 10:24 PM ET
It’s rare I disagree with a Cordell post. But Monahan is a legit #1 C in the league. And he puts up the points required to be on a list like this. Guys like Toews, J Staal, Kopitar that are possession driven players that maintain a lot of defensive responsibilities aren’t on the list for a reason. And Toews put up the points last year. There’s not a lot of guys I’d take over Monahan at the #1C spot though he definitely falls in the 15-25 range, where a lot of guys are going to be interchangeable based on the wingers used.
- Wolfpack5


I'm gonna guess you haven't watched many Flames games. Monahan isn't an elite centre. He doesn't do most of the things you want from an elite centre. He's not a great skater, he's not great defensively, he's not physical at all, and he's just alright at faceoffs. He's also just a very good goal scorer. He's not elite there either. He's definitely not a scrub and would be amazing if he was a winger, but the Flames need more from him if they want to win a Cup.

Look at the teams that win Cups. They always have the elite number one centre that does it all. The argument that Gaudreau is actually playing the playmaking centre role doesn't work either because he's not doing all the things you need from a centre either.

I'd take Monahan over Staal, but what exactly is the reason you're referencing as to why players like Toews and Kopitar aren't on the list. They do everything and they still put up points. It's the exact same reason why Giordano wasn't on the list last year. Monahan is younger, but that's pretty much all he's got over them. He's invisible when he's not scoring.
hawk35
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: NF
Joined: 08.26.2009

Aug 6 @ 7:24 AM ET
1 for 1 trade?

Karlsson (Not a #1 C)
Larkin (Monahan is just better)
Kopitar (old and terrible cap hit)
Toews (old and terrible cap hit)

RNH (Good replacement for Backlund, we need Money's goals more than defense)

Couturier is a wash for me--I think Monahan is a better goal scorer and he's younger. I'd rather stick with the devil I know in Monahan, he's capable of scoring 40 if he stays healthy.

Hertl--dig up all the stats you want. I'll take Monahan. He reminds me of Ales Hemsky--be one of the best players on the ice one game and completely disappear the next. I don't think he's the type of player that will do whatever it takes to win a cup and at least we can expect 30 goals from Money--Hert's 35 last season could be a career high and it was the first time he was able to break 30 goals in his career (Money has three 30+ goal seasons and two 27 goal seasons to start his career).

Who wouldn't want to have Petterson, Barzal or Dubois--they are young and have sky high potential...though I do think Petterson will end up being shifted to the wing at some point. I wouldn't want a 5-9 150 lbs c-man as our #1 guy come playoff time, but that's just me.

This list is garbage (what do you expect when it came from NHL.com) but I think Money earned a spot on it. A players cieling shouldn't be much of factor when making a power ranking, so no issue with him being ahead of guys like Petterson.

- Saskabush



I don't wanna speak for the poster....But, I think he meant player for player and who would make Calgary better RIGHT NOW despite age or salary.

I would 100% agree with you, that if Cap hit and age were factored in, I would not move Monahan for Kopitar or Toews. BUT....if he meant s straight switch of players to make Calgary better THIS year...no doubt, I am taking the all-around game of Kopitar or Toews over Monahan all day, every day. They just provide so much more in all aspacts of the game.
Saskabush
Calgary Flames
Location: Bridge City, SK
Joined: 10.29.2013

Aug 6 @ 11:56 AM ET
I don't wanna speak for the poster....But, I think he meant player for player and who would make Calgary better RIGHT NOW despite age or salary.

I would 100% agree with you, that if Cap hit and age were factored in, I would not move Monahan for Kopitar or Toews. BUT....if he meant s straight switch of players to make Calgary better THIS year...no doubt, I am taking the all-around game of Kopitar or Toews over Monahan all day, every day. They just provide so much more in all aspacts of the game.

- hawk35


But we do live in a world where time & money actually matter, that's why I added age & cap hit in brackets (not saying Monahan is the better player). The Flames might be better for 1 year, maybe even 2, but in the long term trading Monahan for a player in decline would be a bad move. It's just not a move I would make, we aren't the raptors and Toews/Kopitar are no Kawhi Leonard.

We would most likely have to lose at least 1 or 2 core players to fit their salary under the cap. The marginal increase in production we *could* see from switching Money out with one of those players would most likely be erased when we can't afford to resign our good young players like Rass, Valimaki or Dube.

There's also no guarantee that they have any chemistry with Johnny (look at the long list of players they had to bring in for Crosby). For all we know, we might have just traded away our #1 C for a really good, defensively responsible 2C. We need goals from our 1C, that's the way that line is built (inevitable when Johnny G is your LW).

Monahan is still pretty young and now he has experienced a few bitter playoff exits, let him grow as a person and stop judging his future based on what he accomplished as a boy. The kid has scored 30 goals multiple times in the best league in the world with multiple injuries that required 4 surgeries last off-season to deal with.

I just want to give him a chance to show what he can do now that he's becoming a man instead of talking about shipping him off for aging veterans who already had their chance to grow and develop on their teams.

Clyde334
Calgary Flames
Location: OG loves Nenshi!! Nenshi sucks!!, AB
Joined: 06.19.2016

Aug 6 @ 12:38 PM ET
Yeah but he doesnt have good analytics & drive possession so we just punt him!

- Kevin R

Everyone also has to remember that Monahan has had a boat load of injuries and is still putting up good numbers.

Injuries aren’t an excuse just a reality!

And Hunk you can go fck yourself! Such a bloody idiot!!
Kevin R
Calgary Flames
Location: E5 = It aint gonna happen.
Joined: 02.10.2010

Aug 6 @ 1:29 PM ET
Everyone also has to remember that Monahan has had a boat load of injuries and is still putting up good numbers.

Injuries aren’t an excuse just a reality!

And Hunk you can go fck yourself! Such a bloody idiot!!

- Clyde334



The goals this kid scores each year is so important not to mention huge. Gaudreau has issues with his overall game too, what player doesnt. Last year Mackinnon finally played like the 1st overall beast he was hyped up to but took time to sort out his overall game.
Ridiculous the over analysis that sometimes happens.
bsimms
Calgary Flames
Location: Calgary
Joined: 10.25.2013

Aug 6 @ 1:31 PM ET
I think Monahan is slotted right where he should be 15-25 like another poster said. Not any better, not any worse.
tincup
Calgary Flames
Location: AB
Joined: 07.21.2006

Aug 6 @ 1:35 PM ET


The goals this kid scores each year is so important not to mention huge. Gaudreau has issues with his overall game too, what player doesnt. Last year Mackinnon finally played like the 1st overall beast he was hyped up to but took time to sort out his overall game.
Ridiculous the over analysis that sometimes happens.

- Kevin R


The knock I have with Monahan and the whole line really, is that they don't backcheck as much as they should. They left it to D and Smith to get the puck back up ice. I remember the comparison for Mony in his draft year was Ron Francis...i'd like to see more of the two way play that Francis was known for. Monahan needs to work on his game and become more well rounded.
Kevin R
Calgary Flames
Location: E5 = It aint gonna happen.
Joined: 02.10.2010

Aug 6 @ 2:36 PM ET
The knock I have with Monahan and the whole line really, is that they don't backcheck as much as they should. They left it to D and Smith to get the puck back up ice. I remember the comparison for Mony in his draft year was Ron Francis...i'd like to see more of the two way play that Francis was known for. Monahan needs to work on his game and become more well rounded.
- tincup

The line scored goals. We had what, 5 players in the top 20 or 30 scoring ?
So would you be happy if Monahan was a 15 goal scorer that got 40-50 points each year? We already have that in Backlund. How many games have we watched that Chucky set up Backlund beautifully & he missed the net or hit the goalie in the crest?
You get a guy with hands & a shot that scores, you do not worry about making him a defensively responsible back checking forward, you put him out when you think you can score goals!
Clyde334
Calgary Flames
Location: OG loves Nenshi!! Nenshi sucks!!, AB
Joined: 06.19.2016

Aug 6 @ 2:47 PM ET
The line scored goals. We had what, 5 players in the top 20 or 30 scoring ?
So would you be happy if Monahan was a 15 goal scorer that got 40-50 points each year? We already have that in Backlund. How many games have we watched that Chucky set up Backlund beautifully & he missed the net or hit the goalie in the crest?
You get a guy with hands & a shot that scores, you do not worry about making him a defensively responsible back checking forward, you put him out when you think you can score goals!

- Kevin R

Yup!
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