Sean Monahan Among Most Popular Targets On NHL Trade Market

Interest in Montreal Canadiens forward Sean Monahan seems to be heating up as teams start to peruse the trade market for possible reinforcements.

NHL Insider Frank Seravalli mentioned the veteran forward in his most recent trade target article, adding him to a list of 20 NHL players that should attract significant interest as we approach the March 3rd trade deadline.

Monahan is one of five centres listed, alongside Bo Horvat (VAN), Jonathan Toews (CHI), Max Domi (CHI), and Jack Roslovic (CBJ).

This supports an earlier report by Pierre LeBrun which suggested the Colorado Avalanche may be among teams looking to improve their forward depth with a quality second-line centre.

Monahan is in the last year of his seven-year contract, which comes with a $6.35 million AAV.

The 28-year-old was initially traded to the Canadiens this summer along with a first-round pick for future considerations, owing to the Calgary Flames’ precarious salary cap situation.

Le jour de sa fête!

Sean Monahan on his birthday!#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/kJ71S27z3J

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 13, 2022

Return On Investment

Fresh off earning two points in Friday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Monahan has produced 5 goals and 9 assists in 21 games with the Canadiens, a significant uptick in production from his previous campaign with the Flames.

He’s currently 4th in scoring on the team, and the only player that has reached the 10-point mark without the benefit of playing on the first line.

If the Canadiens do flip him at the deadline and acquire yet another precious draft asset, the Monahan dossier would surely have the potential to become one of Kent Hughes’ best deals during his short tenure as general manager of the Canadiens.

Hughes previously discussed his desire to add a 3rd first-round pick to his 2023 Draft repertoire and seeing as Sean Monahan has quickly made an impact at both ends of the ice for the Canadiens, the trade market may be willing to entertain such a steep price tag.