*Photo from Flame for Thought*
To make room for new acquisition Nazem Kadri, someone had to go. The Montreal Canadiens have acquired C Sean Monahan and a 2025 conditional first round pick from the Calgary Flames in exchange for future considerations, according to both teams.
The move to deal Monahan for such a little return comes as a necessity for Calgary. With Kadri making $7 million per season in his new contract, they moved to offload a contract, and Monahan became the odd man out, as Kadri is also a center. Last season, Monahan was slowed by a torn labrum.
Flames GM Brad Treliving said of Monahan that "On behalf of the entire Flames organization, I sincerely thank Sean for his nine years of selfless dedication and perseverance. Sean was a great Flame, a first-class individual who exemplified the definition of respect. Our team and city were fortunate to have him as a player, ambassador and member of our community. We wish Sean and his wife Brittany every success in this new chapter of their lives, and once again say thank you."
Last season with the Flames, Monahan posted a career worst 8 goals, adding 15 assists for a career worst 23 points, adding a -15 plus/minus rating in 65 regular season games. His season ended after March 31, when he underwent surgery to repair his torn labrum.
This was the second straight year Monahan suffered such an injury, dealing with it in the short 2021 season as well. He previously underwent wrist surgery following the 2016-2017 season, and had 4 surgeries after being shut down in 2017-2018, one on his wrist, one on his groin, and two to repair hernias. Now, he's finally healthy.
Canadiens GM Kent Hughes said of a healthy Monahan that "He sounds incredibly encouraged that for the first time in a long time he's going to play a season healthy. I don't know if that's going to be game one of the season or if it's going to be game four of the season. But he feels like he's, even today, not at 100 percent, way better than he's been for the last few years."
Monahan has spent 9 seasons in the NHL, all with the Flames. During that time, he has tallied 212 goals and 250 assists, with a -46 plus/minus rating while averaging 17:52 of ice time per game in 656 regular season games. He has an additional 10 goals and 11 assists in 30 career playoff games.
The Canadiens will be taking on the entirety of Monahan's contract in this trade. He is on the last year of a 7 year, $44.625 million deal he signed before the 2016-2017 season with the Flames. He is due to make $6.375 million this season, and has a modified no trade clause. He will be a UFA when the deal expires.
By trading Monahan, the Flames have now lost him, Johnny Gaudreau, and Matthew Tkachuk in the same offseason, while bringing aboard Kadri, MacKenzie Weegar, and Jonathan Huberdeau. Bringing in Monahan has been the first major move of the offseason made by Montreal.
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