Gaylord Q Tinkledink
Registered User
- Apr 29, 2018
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Suzuki was terrible on the dot and I'm assuming both Dvorak and Monahan have helped.Not for nothing, but the idea that Dvorak sucks and has been more injured compared to Monahan who sucked in Calgary and has been even more injured since 2020 isn't a great selling point.
I'm not even against re-acquiring Monahan, but I think, based on comparables and projections, the contract he can get on the open market is not one Montreal should pay.
I also don't see why Monahan helps Dach become a center. Montreal has guys who win faceoffs and while Monahan's poor defensive play was overstated, he's not exactly a role model for center responsibility. And considering Dach's already lengthy injury history, I'm not sure a guy who has a history of ignoring injuries until they get unmanageable is the best role model.
Like, if the motivation is acquiring a guy to teach Dach to be a center (which I don't think is necessary), I'd rather talk a deal with the Islanders. They have serious cap issues if they want to improve and would probably be happy to move Pageau with a sweetener for Montreal if there's no salary going to them. Pageau is only under contract for two seasons, has serious playoff experience, is responsible defensively, is a face-off specialist, wouldn't take a PP spot from guys like Dach and Newhook, and would take PK time which could free up Suzuki to play more offense-oriented minutes.
I didn't say Monahan is a great centre, or should play full time, but rather would be able to assist Dach by taking some draws, giving him pointers and being a useful player in the offensive zone for him to play with.
Pageau is an option, but that's still 5 mill (could be more, could be less than what Monahan gets) it all depends on the cost to acquire Pageau.
I'm not saying Monahan needs to come back, I'm just stating what he brings if he does come back.
Feels like the Kovalchuk with Bergevin option where it seemed almost certain he would be back and now, not so much. Especially after he didn't really do much in the post season.