So far this season, Sean Monahan leads the CH in goals with five. He has eight points, as many as Nick Suzuki, and only Cole Caufield currently surpasses him with 10. Six assists for only four goals for CC22: I didn’t have that on my bingo card at the end of October.
Sean Monahan is also second on the team for differential (he’s at +5) and he’s not among the most punished on his club. He also wins more than 60% of his face-offs.
My column on how playing lacrosse as a kid helped Canadiens’ Sean Monahan become a better field hockey player and also taught him importance of winning faceoffs. He won 20 of his 24 faceoffs last night and scored goal in 3-2 shootout loss to Vegas #Habs #HabsIO: https://t.co/94750aPldt
– Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) October 31, 2023
So the question is: should this player, responsible on 200 feet and productive despite playing far less time than his club’s best players, be considered for the Selke?
Renaud Lavoie, on BPM Sports this morning, said yes… and we have to admit he’s right. And without Patrice Bergeron in the league, the trophy for best defensive forward is up for grabs.
Monahan, who stepped up in Kirby Dach’s absence, is very important to the Habs. He’s good on the ice and he’s good for the culture that Jeff Gorton, Kent Hughes and Martin St-Louis are trying to build.
He can also play anywhere. We all agree on that.
But right now, we’re wondering what to do with him at the deadline: trade him, keep him as a future independent player or sign him to a contract extension.
Anthony Desaulniers and Gilbert Delorme spoke to BPM Sports this morning about this very subject. And while the former wants to trade him, the latter would prefer to retain his services.
How useful is Sean Monahan right now with the Tricolore?
Here’s what@Anthodezo and Gilbert Delorme had to say on the subject in Le Club du matin! 😅 pic.twitter.com/mlXNczTDDw
– BPM Sports (@BPMSportsRadio) October 31, 2023
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Obviously, we’re all putting the cart before the horse a bit by doing this… but nothing forbids it.
It’s clear that right now, we’re talking without knowing if Monahan will get hurt between now and the deadline. As was the case last year, this could change everything for the former Calgary Flames player.
But if he stays healthy, I think the Habs should keep him.
I’m not saying they have to keep him at all costs, and if a good offer comes on the table (including a young piece who can contribute now), I might go ahead. But trading him for a 25th overall pick who might become Filip Mesar? I don’t know if I’d be tempted.
It takes an established player in return if I decide to trade him. He’s doing you proud and he’s still got some great field hockey to give you. At some point, draft picks are nice, but if you’re confident in what you already have, develop it!
– Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) October 31, 2023
As for Monahan, Renaud Lavoie would go with an approach that puts the player at the center of the plan.
What this means is that if Monahan is healthy, he would ask him if he wants to go win the Cup elsewhere or if he wants to finish the season – and his contract – with the Montreal Canadiens.
It’s not crazy.
Lavoie also said that Monahan, who chose to return to Montreal this summer when he was eligible for full autonomy, really loves playing for the Montreal Canadiens. He loves the experience and the way he’s being treated, obviously.
Sean Monahan loves playing for the Montreal Canadiens. – Renaud Lavoie
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If they’re putting the decision in his hands, I’d like to think it’s with the knowledge that he wants to stay for the rest of his career. Otherwise, it would be pointless to keep him only to lose him for free in July.
That wouldn’t be good management.
And for that, he’d have to accept a contract that wouldn’t handcuff the CH too much in the event of injury, but would also be fair to him. Is he willing to do that to stay in Montreal?
If the answer is yes, I think I’ll keep him. If not, trading him becomes the obvious solution.
Last fall I tweeted that Hughes should sign Monahan to an extension.
This fall I am Xing that Hughes should sign Monahan to an extension.
– Grant McCagg (@grantmccagg) October 31, 2023
Note that I don’t believe in the scenario that he would be traded to come back. Except with Tomas Plekanec, those plans never really work. #RememberIlyaKovalchuk
Even if he’s not the fastest player, he makes up for it with his game sense, which is an important aspect in a club. It makes me believe that if he stays healthy (which is a big if, I know), he can’t become bad overnight, right?
In gossip
– The kid’s in Boston to stay.
“He’s sticking around.” – Coach Montgomery on Matt Poitras pic.twitter.com/KZEQI4Jsxt
– Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 31, 2023
– A great visit.
The Habs got a visit from none other than Céline Dion in Vegas yesterday.
Here she is with Chantal Machabée. pic.twitter.com/TTyfKEq9aE
– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) October 31, 2023
– Zach Benson is injured.
Zach Benson is week-to-week with a lower-body injury, said Sabres GM Kevyn Adams.
Aggravation of the injury he was dealing with a few weeks ago.
– Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) October 31, 2023
– Charlie McAvoy will have some explaining to do.
No surprise, but #NHLBruins Charlie McAvoy will have a hearing today with @NHLPlayerSafety for his hit on #FlaPanthers Oliver Ekman-Larsson on Monday night.
– Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) October 31, 2023
– All is not well in Pittsburgh.
Free Puck | Consternation and questions in Pittsburgh https://t.co/AoPNQXsSVb
– La Presse Sports (@LaPresse_Sports) October 31, 2023