Canadiens: Three Thoughts on the Sean Monahan Extension
Previously, Sean Monahan was making $6.375 Million after signing a seven-year, $44.625 Million extension with the Flames in 2016. At the time, Monahan was just 21 years old and more than worth that. Towards the end of that contract, as the injuries began to pile on, it became harder for Calgary to justify paying him that, hence him being shipped out in favour of Nazem Kadri.
Now fast forwarding to today, the Canadiens signed him at $1.985 Million, with performance bonuses that could have him reach $2 Million in total value. That’s tidy work by Kent Hughes and his team to be able to sign him for what is essentially a third of the cost. When healthy, Monahan is probably worth a bit more than that, truthfully, but of course, health has been a significant hurdle for Monahan for a few years now.
If, and the reality is, that’s a big if, he is healthy and playing well come trade deadline day, his salary becomes a very manageable one for a contending team to fit in. Especially if the Canadiens retain 50% of his salary, which they should easily be able to do. It makes it much easier to get a significant compensation for him, which on top of the first-round pick they already got for him, is just gravy.
And before the injury last season, he had 17 points in 25 games, which over the course of 82 games is a pace of 55 points. Assuming he might have cooled off a little, to still be on pace for over 40 points is not bad, especially come deadline time. That might just be enough to fetch a first-round pick, depending on the market. Fingers crossed, Monahan can play like that this season.
What’s interesting about this signing is how it impacts the rest of the team and where they will play next season. As of right now, the Habs have five centremen on the roster with Monahan resigning. Obviously, Nick Suzuki will remain the Canadiens’ top guy at the position, but there are question marks surrounding the rest of the guys.
Will Kirby Dach shift back to the wing? Will Monahan centre the third line, and if so, what does that mean for Christian Dvorak and Jake Evans? If someone moves to the wing, do they play in the top six over developing forwards, namely Juraj Slafkovsky? Perhaps the Canadiens have another move up their sleeve this off-season that will sort this out, although if it’s for fellow centre Pierre-Luc Dubois, that would obviously only further complicate things.
All these questions will need to be answered, but I’m sure with the NHL Draft fast approaching, we could have some answers sooner than later. Kent Hughes is certainly known to make a few splashes every now and then. Like just last season when he traded for Kirby Dach at the draft. Perhaps this year, he’ll make another splash. We’ll have to wait and see.
Regardless of where Monahan will play next year, it’s nice to keep a veteran presence in the locker room. Monahan wore an A in Calgary for a reason, and it wouldn’t shock me to see him don one for the Canadiens this season as well.
Finally, I can’t help but think of what this means for Monahan, a very well-liked player around the league. It’s really been a tough go of things for him as the injuries have taken a toll on him, but let’s remember, he’s just 28 years old. It’s far too early to fully write him off, and he showed that he still has plenty left in the tank last season.
When the Canadiens traded for him, the concern was his hip which he had surgery on last off-season. And the fear was that was once again the problem after he missed most of last year, but it sounds like his injuries are unrelated to that, which is good news. The hip not being a problem, as far as we know, is music to our ears.
I don’t think Kent Hughes signs Monahan unless they feel comfortable about his health, which is also good news. They must think he’s healthy enough for another go around, and ideally, that’s the case. Hopefully, Monahan can reward that confidence with a good performance on the ice, just as he did last season before he went out.
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