Sean Monahan
Speaking of a veteran third line player that is playing well above expectations, let’s talk about Sean Monahan.
The 29 year old center was dealt to the Canadiens along with a first round pick a year ago. That freed up nearly $6.5 million on their salary cap last season which the Canadiens were happy to eat for a future first round pick.
Monahan had dealt with plenty of injuries and struggled offensively in his final couple of seasons in Calgary. He had just eight goals and 23 points in 65 games in his final season with the Flames. He also ended his season early as he needed surgery yet again which was becoming an annual tradition for him.
He played well for the Canadiens last season, scoring six goals and 17 points in 25 games before once again requiring season ending surgery.
This season, Monahan has looked like the best version of himself yet. Not just since he arrived in Montreal, but in his whole career. He has already scored six goals, matching last year’s output and has ten points in 11 games.
He is a fixture on the top power play unit in front of the net where his excellent hands and smarts allow him to get open, get the goalie moving, and put pucks in the net. He is also killing penalties regularly and has created some scoring opportunities with his excellent hockey sense. Monahan has also won over 60% of his faceoffs which is by far the highest of his career.
It is a little early in the season to start talking about what players are on pace for, but Monahan has been scoring like a 45 goal and 75 point player so far this season. He was good last season, but then injuries got the best of him yet again.
This season, he has been exceptional in all facets of the game. We would have expected him to be good, like he was last season, but no one would have guessed he would start the season by playing the best hockey of his entire career.
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