Veteran centre has stayed wholesome to this point this season and his dimension, scoring and faceoff abilities have been an enormous plus for Montreal.
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Who would you somewhat have within the Canadiens’ lineup for the subsequent three or 4 years: Sean Monahan or Sacha Boisvert?
Or possibly E.J. Emery? Or Cole Hutson?
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That’s the query the Canadiens’ mind belief should reply between now and the NHL commerce deadline on March 8.
When the Canadiens signed Monahan to a one-year, US$1.985-million contract this summer season, it was assumed he would have a possibility to show that he’s wholesome and, if he have been productive, Montreal may flip him to a contender for a draft selection.
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Thus far this season, Monahan has been wholesome and productive and that’s the reason he might be a useful commodity on the deadline, but it surely additionally a purpose why the Canadiens ought to give critical consideration to handing him a contract extension.
In the event that they commerce him, it will likely be to a workforce that both has a playoff spot locked up or is shut to 1. In the event that they obtain a first-round decide in return, it will likely be within the backside half of the spherical and also you don’t want superior analytics to know such a participant would most likely be three to 4 years from making his NHL debut. That participant additionally could be unlikely to achieve the extent of Monahan, who was an elite centre earlier than he skilled hip issues.
This isn’t to disparage Trois-Rivières native Boisvert, Emery or Hutson — who’s Canadiens defence prospect Lane Hutson’s little, however barely taller, brother — however all three or them will probably be spending the foreseeable future on U.S. school campuses, whereas Monahan might be contributing to the rebuild.
Monahan posted seven consecutive 20-goal seasons, together with three seasons with 30-plus targets.
He’s on comparable tempo this season with six targets and 7 assists in 19 video games and his versatility is mirrored in his three power-play targets and two short-handed efforts. He has a number of of the belongings the Canadiens have been lacking at centre in recent times. He has dimension at 6-foot-2 and 205 kilos and he’s the workforce’s most dependable faceoff man with a hit charge of 58.1 per cent, which ranks sixth within the NHL.
Highway to the Cup
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The die is forged: Solely 1 / 4 of the NHL season is within the books, however the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers can start printing playoff tickets.
In the meantime, gamers in Montreal, Chicago, Edmonton and Ottawa can safely ebook these non-refundable tickets for journey in late April.
We are able to say that with some extent of certainty as a result of because the wage cap period started, about 75 per cent of groups that maintain a playoff place on U.S. Thanksgiving attain the playoffs. Final season, solely three groups outdoors the highest eight in both convention reached the postseason.
There have been some notable exceptions. Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen can inform you in regards to the St. Louis Blues, who have been dead-last within the standings as late as New Yr’s Day in 2019 however went on to win the Stanley Cup.
The Canadiens are at the moment inside hailing distance of a playoff spot and they’re able to producing pleasure if not wins. However inconsistent goaltending and a recent spherical of accidents will lead to Montreal followers going through the worst potential state of affairs — a report that isn’t adequate to make the playoffs, however not dangerous sufficient to garner a top-five decide within the draft.
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Whereas Canadiens followers have accepted and in some circumstances embraced the idea of a serious rebuild, there will probably be extra disappointment in Ottawa and Edmonton.
The Senators, from new proprietor Michael Andlauer on down, have been anticipated to problem for a playoff spot for the primary time in seven years, however the workforce is off to a sluggish begin and the already sluggish attendance is down barely as everybody waits for a successful workforce and a brand new downtown enviornment.
Whereas Montreal and Ottawa are in varied levels of rebuilding, there have been excessive expectations in Edmonton, the place the Oilers reached the Western Convention finals two years in the past earlier than shedding to Stanley Cup champion Colorado.
The Oilers are at the moment thirtieth total and a training change hasn’t had the specified impact. The Oilers received two video games after Kris Knoblauch changed Jay Woodcroft, however have now misplaced three straight.
The offensive manufacturing from Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl has slipped and folk are all of a sudden complaining that the 2 superstars can’t play defence.
The Oilers want goaltending and there are rumours of a deal pending with Montreal. Cayden Primeau and Joel Armia for McDavid sounds truthful.
Associated Tales
Parade of champions: There was an excellent turnout for the Alouettes’ Gray Cup parade following final Sunday’s dramatic win over Winnipeg. Let’s hope the assist interprets into sold-out crowds subsequent season.
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