Forward Monahan signs long term pact with Blue Jackets

*Photo from Sportsnet*

   Well hello, surprise move. The Columbus Blue Jackets and center Sean Monahan have agreed to a 5 year, $27.5 million contract, according to Pierre Lebrun of TSN. Columbus has confirmed the signing.

   After a lost season in 2022-2023 due to poor performance and injuries, Monahan had a rebound year in 2023-2024, starting off strong with the Montreal Canadiens and carrying it over to the Winnipeg Jets. He's now joining the first U.S. team in his career on the heels of that campaign.

   Columbus GM Don Waddell said in a statement announcing the signing "Sean Monahan is a very talented player, and his addition strengthens our team down the middle and injects valuable experience, leadership and versatility to our lineup. He can score and create goals, is very good in the faceoff circle, and can play on the power play and kill penalties. We're very excited to have him join the Blue Jackets."

   The contract Monahan got from the Blue Jackets is a big one. After making just over $1.9 million last season, he'll now make $5.5 million annually with the Blue Jackets. He also gets a full no movement clause for the first 3 years of the deal and a modified no trade clause in the last two years in the form of a 15 team no trade list.

   Monahan had a big year at the right time split between the Canadiens and the Jets. He combined for 26 goals and 33 assists for 59 points, averaging 18:06 of ice time per game while getting a unique games played stat, playing in 83 last year. He had no goals and one assist in 5 playoff games.

   With the Blue Jackets, Monahan reunites with Johnny Gaudreau, one of his co-stars in Calgary with the Flames. In 2021-2022, Gaudreau had 40 goals and 75 assists for 115 points despite Monahan having a down year with 8 goals and 15 assists in 65 games.

   Monahan has played for the Flames, Canadiens, and Jets over his 11 years in the league, debuting in 2013-2014. He has 244 goals and 294 assists for 538 points to his name, averaging 17:52 of ice time per game while posting a -52 rating in 764 regular season games. He has an additional 10 goals and 12 assists in 35 playoff games.