In August 2022, the Calgary Flames gave away Sean Monahan. They were so desperate to unload him that they attached a conditional 2025 first-round draft pick and asked for effectively nothing from the Montreal Canadiens (“future considerations”) in return.
Eighteen months later, Monahan is headed to the Winnipeg Jets, who wanted him badly enough to part with a 2024 first-round pick and a conditional 2027 third-round pick.
Monahan has done an admirable job of restoring his value, recording 35 points in 49 games this season as a middle-six centre at even strength and power-play contributor.
In Montreal, Monahan made his biggest impact on the defensive side of the puck. Only Auston Matthews (85) has executed more successful stick checks than Monahan (72) this season among forwards. He is also an excellent forechecker, making 103 defensive plays in the offensive zone, tied for seventh most at his position. (That includes stick and body checks as well as pass blocks.)
The Canadiens controlled 43.1 per cent of expected goals at even strength with Monahan on the ice this season. The Jets are a much better defensive team, so that figure should improve for Monahan.
As for how Monahan fits with the Jets, coach Rick Bowness told ESPN on Friday that Monahan is expected to start on a line with Cole Perfetti, a solid defensive player in his own right, and Nikolaj Ehlers. That should bump Vladislav Namestnikov and Adam Lowry down to the third and fourth lines, respectively, giving Winnipeg impressive depth down the middle.
It should be noted that Monahan’s production is likely to dip in Winnipeg, where he is not expected to average 3:31 of power-play ice time per game on the top unit. Sixteen of Monahan’s 35 points this season (six goals, 10 assists) have come on the power play.
If Monahan gets an opportunity there, though, he certainly can deliver. Winnipeg, for example, has 46 inner-slot shots on net on the power play this season, which ranks 27th in the NHL. Monahan has 18 on his own — tied for 16th in the league.
The Jets, who entered the All-Star break on a three-game winless streak, are in a dogfight with the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars in the Central Division. Monahan provides them with an additional weapon.
