Sean Monahan: The CH must extend his youth contract

It’s often said, but Kent Hughes hit a home run by accepting Sean Monahan’s contract and receiving a first-round pick from the Calgary Flames in the process.

The terms of the pick are quite complex, as CapFriendly reports :

Monahan’s addition became very good with his performances.

Unfortunately, last season he suffered an injury that ended his season after just 25 games.

In 23-24, not only does he remain healthy (touch wood as I write this), but he’s having a very good season with 6 goals and 12 points in 13 games.

Sean Monahan’s trade value after every game since his injury

– HFTV (@HFTVSports) January 4, 2023

Last year, the idea of trading him at the deadline was the talk of the town, as he seemed to be rapidly increasing in value.

His injury put an end to those rumours, but this season they’re back with a vengeance.

However, the idea of trading him at the deadline no longer seems to be the most popular option.

Although his value is skyrocketing with these performances this season, many believe that extending Sean Monahan should be Kent Hughes’ top priority.

That’s what The Montreal Gazette reports.

I’ve long thought we should trade Monahan at the trade deadline (in 22-23 or 23-24), but he brings a lot to a club and is very important for the CH’s youngsters.

Although he’s only 29 years old, he’s already in his 11th NHL season, and he can bring a lot to the table for a few good years, as part of the CH’s young core.

At one point this season, Monahan had more points than Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri combined. They are now at 7 and 8 points each, respectively.

To think that the Flames gave Monahan a first-round pick so they could sign Kadri as a free agent…

Huberdeau and Kadri have a combined salary of $17.5 million per year for multiple seasons, while Monahan commands a salary of just $1.985 million per season (in 23-24).

Of course, Mony will have to sign a new contract, as hers expires on July 1.

It’s also important to remember that Monahan is an important part of the third trio. Complemented by Brendan Gallagher and Tanner Pearson, this unit is wreaking havoc this season.

Pearson has 6 points so far, and Gallagher now has 7 points in 13 games.

Not bad for a player we all thought was “finished”, speaking of Gally.

The return of the “Gallagher of yesteryear” is partly explained by the presence of Sean Monahan, who acts as a Phillip Danault for Gallagher:

The question arises: should Kent Hughes extend the veteran center to surround his young core, or should he attempt to trade him between now and the trade deadline?

If he wants to trade him, what return should we expect for Monahan? Is he worth a first-round pick?

Clearly, Hughes will have to weigh the pros and cons of this situation. He should get calls for number 91, but if the return isn’t enticing enough, the GM probably won’t trade him.

In gusto

– Marc-Antoine Dequoy’s 101-yard return to start the Eastern final.

– For those who didn’t know, there’s a new team in the WHL, the Wenatchee Wild.

– Matt Savoie was drafted 9th overall in 2022 and once again sent down to junior. Don’t worry about Filip Mesar, who was selected late in the first round in 2022.

It’s kind of ironic that this comes at the same time that Middlestadt is finally truly arriving.

Many surely thought that pick was never gonna land.

They rushed him way too much. A year and a half in Buffalo lost and struggling before finally Rochester and returning better.

– Brian Wilde (@BWildeMTL) November 11, 2023

– Patrik Laine scored his 200th career goal.

LAINE IS ON THE LOOSE ONCE AGAIN!!!

HUGE congrats to Patty for his 200TH CAREER GOAL!@FanaticsBook | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/59jowssiBz

– Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 11, 2023

– The CH last won against the Bruins on November 5, 2019.