Montreal Canadiens center Sean Monahan is one of the biggest players that could fetch a lot at the upcoming NHL Trade Deadline.
While Elias Lindholm of the Calgary Flames is a player teams want the most, Monahan in Montreal is the most valuable and attractive asset. He was even a valuable asset last year for the Canadiens at the deadline, as well, before he got hurt. The Colorado Avalanche had an interest in him to upgrade the center position.
The Avalanche are once again back in the mix for Monahan, along with teams like the Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks, and Toronto Maple Leafs, along with Winnipeg Jets and a couple of other teams. While the New York Rangers are a team that is interested in him, the dynamic between the front offices will be a factor in whether or not the teams are trade partners.
We know the ending between President of Hockey Operations Jeff Gorton and the Rangers. While that should not be a reason two teams are not trading partners, we know it plays a role.
Monahan is having a great season for the Canadiens. Through 49 games with Montreal, Monahan has recorded 35 points (13 goals and 22 assists). While his role has varied throughout the season, he has really added that veteran presence needed to win. The Canadiens are definitely overachieving, and management should be happy where the team is at the break.
Monahan signed a one-year deal under $2 million in and around $1.985 million. That is an ideal contract for any team up against the salary cap. It was a low-risk, high-reward type of deal for both the player and the team. And Monahan is producing in a “contract year.”
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At the time of the extension, general manager Kent Hughes got Monahan to re-sign with Montreal. According to TSN’s Darren Dreger was the parties agreed that Monahan would be dealt to a contender once the deadline drew closer.
“When you talk about signing a player to a one-year deal and convincing a player to come to a team that’s in a phase of building, as a player, you evaluate and look at what the opportunity is and to be able to reset and be able to play,” said Hughes during his press availability on January 15th. “It’s more of an open-ended situation with Sean: Come here, play, and let’s see where we are when we get to the deadline. And that’s still the case.”
But as Monahan continues to play well for the Canadiens, his value only continues to rise. He is the most valuable player on the board at the deadline for the center position because of his cap hit and the availability of centers at the deadline, according to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun.
It speaks to Sean Monahan, being healthier and being more productive since he’s become a Montreal Canadien and therefore, his asset value growing and being in a different place than it was when he was still in Calgary playing. The other thing is you know, in chatting with a couple of teams over the last couple of days on Sean Monahan. Yes, the answer is there are some people who believe under the right circumstances that Sean Monahan could fetch a first round pick for the Montreal Canadiens, for a couple of reasons.
One, his cap hit is just under $2 million, is really low in a cap challenge environment. And it imagine if the Habs eat half of that to make him a player that basically is just under a million at the deadline. That has significant value to it in itself in this environment. But the second one there aren’t really that many centers available so far on the trade market. That may change. I mean, last year, players suddenly became available closer to the deadline that we had not identified yet at this juncture, five weeks out.
But as it stands right now, you got Elias Lindholm as the top center available. And then it’s Sean Monahan and so from that perspective alone, right now, the Montreal Canadiens are sitting there with a player where you’ve got at least six to eight teams looking to upgrade at center and only really two players, I would say that that rate above the rest in terms of centers that are available, so because of all those circumstances, yes, I think there is a world in which the Montreal Canadiens can net a first round pick for Sean Monahan.
Pierre LeBrun on SportsCenter with Jay Onrait (FullPressHockey.com Transcription)
The Canadiens could potentially get two first-round draft picks for Monahan. One when they acquired him from Calgary and another if they traded him at the deadline. Now, there is a possibility that the highest pick the Canadiens get for him is a second-round pick.
But the market will dictate what Montreal does with Sean Monahan. The Canadiens and Kent Hughes remain patient with this player and will not rush into anything at the moment.
There is also a chance the Canadiens will extend this player before the deadline. Hughes stated, “Anything is possible,” regarding Sean Monahan.