The Calgary Flames gave the Canadiens a first-round pick to get rid of Sean Monahan.
I don’t know about you, but that sentence still makes me smile a little when I think about it. When you look at Monahan’s impact (10 points in 11 games) on the CH’s roster this season, it seems completely absurd to think that a club would be so desperate to get rid of him that it paid a high price to do so.
I’m willing to believe that it’s not as simple as that, and that Brad Treliving thought he could improve his team by replacing Monahan with Nazem Kadri, but let’s just say that history hasn’t proven him right.
Just today, Martin St-Louis was asked about his center forward, and he couldn’t resist listing the (very) many reasons why #91 is important to his team. There’s some good stuff.
Mony brings ✨ a lot ✨ #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/SH3s6epJbV
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) November 6, 2023
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That said, perhaps one of the most underrated impacts of Monahan’s season is the fact that he helped Brendan Gallagher get back on track. The veteran trio, which is rounded out by Tanner Pearson, is providing some excellent field hockey for the CH this season, and it’s largely thanks to Monahan’s work, who makes life easier for his trio-mates.
A bit like Kirby Dach did for Juraj Slafkovský and Alex Newhook had he fallen in battle.
And in his paper of the day, Arpon Basu made an interesting point: for Gallagher, Monahan looks like Phillip Danault 2.0, in the sense that he’s the center who best complements Gallagher since Danault’s been out of town.
It’s Monday, so that means it’s time for the weekly Canadiens notebook! This week I look at the goalie situation, Brendan Gallagher and, something near and dear to my heart, sleep: https://t.co/eriX7Nyi1v
– Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) November 6, 2023
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Gallagher had his best career moments alongside Danault, who wasn’t a bad player in transition and excelled defensively. Without saying that Monahan is exactly the same player (although they do look a bit alike), both guys’ profiles fit well in the middle of a guy like Gallagher, who needs someone to help him in transition.
If Gally can concentrate on attacking the net without having to control the disc on the counter-attack, he becomes a much better player. Maybe that’s why a guy like Christian Dvorak isn’t a good center for him. among other things.
At the same time, the chemistry between Monahan and Gallagher also benefits the rest of the team. If they didn’t have such good chemistry, Monahan would probably have been the one placed on the first line last Saturday, while Juraj Slafkovský wouldn’t have had that opportunity.
Dvorak’s return has put everyone in the right chair, but let’s just say that Monahan makes the allocation of chairs even easier.
One thing’s for sure, though: if the Habs want to trade Monahan between now and the trade deadline, they certainly won’t have to pay a first-round pick to do it. In fact, they’ll most likely get one if they want to trade him (and Monahan remains healthy), but at the same time, if he’s the key to Gallagher’s production, it’ll be a nice thought.
In gusto
– Joshua Roy knows his turn will come when the time is right.
“I’m very patient, I’m fine in Laval, I get a lot of ice time, and it’s great for my development. I’m sure that Martin and Kent Hughes, if they have to call me back, it’ll be at the right time” -Joshua Roy
Live at 🎙️ from @LangloisMario pic.twitter.com/UEqnTNF8Fv
– 98,5 Sports (@985Sports) November 7, 2023
– The Sharks GM clearly told his players that they’ll have to give more. Do you think Mike Hoffman misses Montreal?
“It can’t last” – Mike Grier😠😠https://t.co/vg0WI5EWlH
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) November 7, 2023
– The road to the playoffs is already perilous for the Oilers.
Take Edmonton. They will need 90 in 72 to get to 95 points which is the likely target just to make the playoffs.
That’s a 45 and 27.
You know how difficult 45 and 27 is?
Answer: Very.
– Brian Wilde (@BWildeMTL) November 7, 2023
– The finalists for the MLB individual honours have been announced. There will be very little suspense as to who the winners will be, that said.
Ironically, Craig Counsell is nominated for Manager of the Year. https://t.co/qtT8E6FrTW
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) November 7, 2023
– Attention all interested parties.
This week on The Triple Threat:
– A look back at the LTM Bowl with @HeyImEmil🏈
– We talk about my DBacks with @P_OPoulin ⚾️
– Slaf on the first trio: I love it🏒
– I’m having trouble with the in-season tournament🏀On all your favorite platforms:https://t.co/Mux5KY3YOg
– Félix Forget (@felixf2730) November 6, 2023