GumbyCan2
Registered User
Driving play from the wing simply doesn't work when checking gets tight. There just isn't space because of how breakouts work. Wingers are generally stationary on most breakouts and positioned close to the boards. So a guy like Gaudreau only has a few options - hope his centre can handle the breakout, or leak out early and hope a stretch pass hits him. Neither of these are high percentage plays if Sean Monahan is his centre. The centre has a lot more ice to support his defensemen, support his wingers, execute the breakout, and then handle the puck on the zone entry. To me the prototypical centre was Pavel Datsyuk, and Sean Monahan is nothing like him.
It might work in November and December, when teams are still playing sloppy run and gun hockey. But come February, March, April, May, there just isn't space for someone like Gaudreau to be the primary puck carrier. I love Gaudreau. He needs a centre. That's all there is to it. That or we would need to actually convert him to a centre so he has the free ice to operate.
Unless you have Nathan MacKinnon on your top line, yes. But again, Nathan MacKinnon is a playdriving centre, not a winger.
You know, it might be prudent to offer up Johnny G, rather than Money, to see if a viable young C can be be had in return. Replace Money at C with new "star" and move Money to "off-wing" RW and move MattTkruck up on LW. Seeing as how Money is a (former) sniper type scorer and not a play driving C, he should be able to adjust to W appropriately, a little less ominous defensive reads and coverage requirement. I could see him becoming a Pacioretty type equivalent producing winger, with a quality puck-controlling, playmaking C. Only thing is, Money would need to be physically more involved and toughen up along the boards and behind opposing net, etc. Patches has done admirably at this most his career, thus aiding his production.
Possible C's for Johnny?
If to Philly, could offer Noah Hanifin up for RD-Phillipe Myers and prospect LD-Yegor Zamula ( a former Hitmen defenseman) Plus Johnny for C-Morgan Frost and RW-Wade Allison, and a 2020 1st Rd Phi pick.