There are trades that are impossible to lose, like Sean Monahan’s. Kent Hughes smelled the scent of blood, or rather the scent of a team looking to free up salary, to acquire Monahan and a conditional first-round pick from the Calgary Flames for absolutely nothing.
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On August 18, the general manager of the Canadian took advantage of the confirmation of the long-term absence of Carey Price to negotiate with the Flames.
Photo AFP
Sean Monahan attempted to puck Ryan Poehling of the Penguins by lifting his stick Monday at the Bell Centre.
Hughes did Brad Treliving a favor by agreeing to take on the final season of Monahan’s contract at a cost of $6 million on the salary cap.
The same day, the Flames signed a seven-year, $49 million contract to Nazem Kadri, who had won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in June.
A risk-free bet
The CH thus bet on Monahan without sacrificing a hope or an asset of the organization. The sole responsibility is to sign his paycheque.
Operated on a hip in May, the Ontarian aims to put his career back on track in Montreal after three difficult campaigns in Calgary, where he obtained 48, 28 and 23 points.
He was a far cry from his 82-point production in 2018-19 or his three 60-plus-point seasons (2014-15, 2015-16, and 2017-18).
Encouraging signs
After a small sample of four games, Monahan can’t shout “mission accomplished” yet. But there are promising signals. He scored a goal, had an assist and won 63.5% of his faceoffs.
“I’m healthy, I haven’t had that luxury in recent seasons,” Monahan said. There were times when I had difficulty skating because of my hips. It’s a big factor for me to be healthy. »
“I was also happy with the transaction, it was a good thing for me, he continued. I have fun with the Canadian. »
The impact of Monahan in this very young beginning of the calendar is also visible with its time of use.
The former Flames first-round pick in 2013 ranks second among CH forwards with an average playing time of 18:43. That’s 20 seconds ahead of Cole Caufield.
Only Nick Suzuki (20 min 59 s) spends more time on the icy surface.
Used on the wing and in the center, to release Kirby Dach in the face-off circle, Monahan obtained appearances both on the advantage and on the penalty kill.
A currency of exchange?
If he keeps up the pace, the 28-year-old forward could become an interesting coin for Hughes by the trade deadline. A player who will have cost nothing could therefore be worth a first-round pick and another choice or a hope for the Habs.
The other option for the GM would be to offer him a contract extension at a more reasonable salary than $6M.