Monahan: Trade or Extend (assuming a decent season)

[26Mats]

Monahan certainly has been the solution for Gally !!!
This all needs to play out guys, way too early to figure on keeping or trading him.............there is a case for doing both, stay tuned.

It's pretty incredible that Monahan has been able to produce with mediocre talent on his wings. It is a small sample size. But he did the same thing last year. When he did it last year, I said well it's a small sample, I don't think he can continue. Two small samples don't make a big sample. But we'll see if he can keep it up.

One thing for me is for sure: I really don't want Dvo leading a mediocre offensive line. I'd prioritize finding lines we ith Suzuki, Monahan, and Newhook as C's. But MSL has gone too long with the bad-fit-line (Slaf-Newhook-Anderson) and now Dvo is back and MSL wants to use him at center. Hopefully he can find the right combos that keep each line producing.

I'd try:
Caufield-Suzuki-Slaf
Newhook-Dvo-Anderson
Pearson-Monahan-Gallagher
RHP-Evans-Ylonen
(Pains me to put RHP on the 4th line)

Or

Caufield-Suzuki-Newhook/Slaf
RHP-Monahan-Slaf/Newhook
Anderson-Dvo-Gallagher/Pearson
Pearson/Gallagher-Evans-Ylonen
(Pains me to put Anderson on the 3rd line without RHP. I think Anderson could produce if he played with Suzuki or RHP)

Or
RHP-Suzuki-Anderson
Caufield-Monahan-Slaf
Newhook-Dvo-Pearson
Gallagher-Evans-Ylonen

Or
Caufield-Suzuki-Newhook/Slaf
Pearson-Monahan-Slaf/Newhook
RHP-Dvo-Anderson
Gallagher-Evans-Ylonen

I think things would open up if Slaf or Newhook clicked with Caufield and Suzuki, and if Gallagher-Evans-Ylonen became a 4th line with an identity. I liked them last year when they were together.

Or if the speed line worked (Ylonen-Newhook-Anderson)

Caufield-Suzuki-Dvo/Slaf
Ylonen-Newhook-Anderson
RHP-Monahan-Slaf/Dvo
Pearson-Evans-Gallagher

Bottom line, there are a lot of combos MSL hasn't tried that I would like to see.

 

[BaseballCoach]

Monahan on pace for 50 goals. Can't trade him if he maintains this play can we? Be Habs first 40 goal scorer in 30 years

Monahan is more likely to score 25-30 than 40 or 50. I still think a troika of Suzuki-Dach-Monahan could be a contender's center line, as long as we have superior D and good scoring wingers.

 

[26Mats]

Monahan is more likely to score 25-30 than 40 or 50. I still think a troika of Suzuki-Dach-Monahan could be a contender's center line, as long as we have superior D and good scoring wingers.

This is why I think Hughes will re-sign him if he's healthy. I think Monaham will want to sign at a reasonable caphit too. He seems like a naturally loyal guy.

 

[Ezpz]

I feel like you have to keep him at this point. Slaf is a bust relative to where he was picked (he will never be a first liner) and only Roy looks like he's going to make it out of our forward prospects. I don't think the team is bad enough to keep trying for top 5 picks, need to just fire Bobrov and get better scouts who don't whiff important picks. Owen beck is going to be a 4c. There is literally no internal competition for a top 9 C spot. Suzuki Dach Monahan is great depth.

Like would you rather have Monhan for 4-5 years or another Mesar level C prospect?

 

[BaseballCoach]

This is why I think Hughes will re-sign him if he's healthy. I think Monaham will want to sign at a reasonable caphit too. He seems like a naturally loyal guy.

I do agree he is a naturally loyal guy, which is why if we trade him and he has success elsewhere, he is likely to stay there.

Obvioulsy we won't do 5 years plus at $6M, but a reasonable deal is surely possible - provided he is still healthy by TDL time.

 

[26Mats]

I feel like you have to keep him at this point. Slaf is a bust relative to where he was picked (he will never be a first liner) and only Roy looks like he's going to make it out of our forward prospects. I don't think the team is bad enough to keep trying for top 5 picks, need to just fire Bobrov and get better scouts who don't whiff important picks. Owen beck is going to be a 4c. There is literally no internal competition for a top 9 C spot. Suzuki Dach Monahan is great depth.

Like would you rather have Monhan for 4-5 years or another Mesar level C prospect?

I hope we're not caught in no man's land.

We have:

Caufield-Suzuki-Roy
Newhook-Dach-Slaf
RHP-Monahan-Anderson
Heineman-Evans-Ylonen
Gallagher, Pez, Armia

Matheson - Reinbacher
Guhle - Barron
Xhekaj - Kovacevic
Harris

Allen
Montembault
Primeau

That definitely doesn't look like a top 5 team next year. Is it good enough to make the playoffs? Maybe. But I would like to add a star forward. Maybe through trade next time a PLD or Debrincat becomes available...

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

Wet dream scenario. Not likely. You trade him, you've moved on.

It's just a choice to make That depends on the return.

I'm personally all for getting as many high picks for 2025 with our veterans, a first, then, for Monahan, another for Anderson (but two second rounders, including one in 2025, sounds more likely as time goes by), a 2nd rounder in 2025 for Savard, a 3rd rounder in 2025 for Pearson, another 2nd rounder, in 2025, plus a 3rd rounder, some other draft, for Dvorak next year, a 3rd rounder for Armia at half price in 2025, a 2nd rounder in 2025 for Allen...

IMO, we can end up with three 1st round picks in 2025 and six 2nd rounders, plus four 3rd rounders, plenty of draft assets and prospects you've identified as tradebaitby then to make a huge splash and get an elite forward south of 30, stil, a potential #1G and a a few good picks at that draft.

Monahan, if it's just a 1st round pick, not a 1st round pick and a good prospect, like we got for Toffoli, I look into extending him for 3 years at a price tag that considers the injury history.

One shouldn't discount Monahan's impact on the development offer better prospects...

I feel for the sake of the rebuild and how HUGO want to accelerate it, I suspect nhl ready prospects will be targeted more than picks. Just a hunch.

This is why I think Hughes will re-sign him if he's healthy. I think Monaham will want to sign at a reasonable caphit too. He seems like a naturally loyal guy.

I agree. He also stated that he redound his love of playing here. That says a TON. I have a feeling he wants to be a part of this

 

[Ezpz]

I hope we're not caught in no man's land.

We have:

Caufield-Suzuki-Roy
Newhook-Dach-Slaf
RHP-Monahan-Anderson
Heineman-Evans-Ylonen
Gallagher, Pez, Armia

Matheson - Reinbacher
Guhle - Barron
Xhekaj - Kovacevic
Harris

Allen
Montembault
Primeau

That definitely doesn't look like a top 5 team next year. Is it good enough to make the playoffs? Maybe. But I would like to add a star forward. Maybe through trade next time a PLD or Debrincat becomes available...

I think Guhle Reinbacher legit have Suter Weber upside. Those forwards are much better than anything Nashville ever iced. I think one good free agent like Nylander could make a big difference. I don't think PLD would have been in that tier. We gotta pile some of these assets into a trade if we can't trust the scouts. Or make a big signing.

Other than that the number one goalie is probably our biggest question mark. Can we legit send Carey to Mexico for stem cell treatments? Worked for Rey Mysterio who was crippled for years and can now suddenly do stuff he did when he was 17.

We're not in a league where having a great paper roster is enough anymore. Buffalo have literally everything and still lose constantly. Devils the same. Carolina is the opposite where they constantly punch above their roster's projected capabilities. Boston as well. Tampas roster was literally the best assembled team since the 70s Habs with insane depth and no weaknesses and they still only got two cups and failed many times before the first.

 

[BaseballCoach]

need to just fire Bobrov and get better scouts who don't whiff important picks.

In just two drafts, Engstrom, Fowler, Hutson, Beck, and several more look like good picks relative to their draft rank.

Mesar was admittedly underwhelming last year, but he is progressing this year and, honestly, there is never a guarantee of a good player at 26OA. It's rare for a player at that rank to be ready for the pros before 20 years old. He might still make it. Even if not, if the other guys above produce 2 contributing NHLers, we can give a pass on Mesar if he does not.

Definitely hard to fire Bobrov if Slaf falls a lot short of where the consensus had him (Top 2).

Reinbacher is a pick that one should judge our scouts on. There were other realistic options. Orville doesn't have to the absolute 6th best player out of his draft class, but he will have to be an impactful contributor to the team to be considered a good pick. This is definitely a guy to watch closely. He has to move the needle.

 

[BaseballCoach]

I think Guhle Reinbacher legit have Suter Weber upside. Those forwards are much better than anything Nashville ever iced. I think one good free agent like Nylander could make a big difference. I don't think PLD would have been in that tier.

I know it is very early, but LA must be disappointed that Dubois is only their eighth best scoring forward, behind even Phil Danault.

I think he needs to finish top three on his team for the trade and cap hit to have been worth it.

He also stated that he redound his love of playing here.

Please re-spell?

 

[DAChampion]

Not acquiring Dubois could turn into one of Hughes best moves.

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

I know it is very early, but LA must be disappointed that Dubois is only their eighth best scoring forward, behind even Phil Danault.

I think he needs to finish top three on his team for the trade and cap hit to have been worth it.


Please re-spell?

*refound

 

[DAChampion]

This might be a difficult choice.

Trading Monahan likely means acquiring another 1st round pick or blue chip prospect, and drafting 4th rather than 8th. That's a lot of value.

But Monahan makes the team a lot better, and next year is time for a transition. It's not just how well Monahan plays, it's that he can elevate the game of players like Pearson and Gallagher, and that the team can survive an injury to Dach or Suzuki.

I think that the cost to trade Monahan should be very high, e.g. Dylan Holloway + 1st rounder.

 

[26Mats]

This might be a difficult choice.

Trading Monahan likely means acquiring another 1st round pick or blue chip prospect, and drafting 4th rather than 8th. That's a lot of value.

But Monahan makes the team a lot better, and next year is time for a transition. It's not just how well Monahan plays, it's that he can elevate the game of players like Pearson and Gallagher, and that the team can survive an injury to Dach or Suzuki.

I think that the cost to trade Monahan should be very high, e.g. Dylan Holloway + 1st rounder.

I assume we can't get a blue Chip prospect for Monahan. But if there's a prospect like Suzuki on the table, like there was in the Paciorrety trade, you have to do it. But I assume there will only be a 1st on the table that could potential be 11 to 15th overall, but more likely will be 25 to 30th overall, plus a prospect like Heineman. I would keep Monahan if that's the case.

And how good do you think Holloway will be. He hasn't been able to do much at the NHL level.

We've seen good prospects and picks traded for players with term left. But when is the last time we saw a rental get that return? I'm asking because nothing comes to mind, so wondering if I'm forgetting something.

 

[DAChampion]

I assume we can't get a blue Chip prospect for Monahan. But if there's a prospect like Suzuki on the table, like there was in the Paciorrety trade, you have to do it. But I assume there will only be a 1st on the table that could potential be 11 to 15th overall, but more likely will be 25 to 30th overall, plus a prospect like Heineman. I would keep Monahan if that's the case.

And how good do you think Holloway will be. He hasn't been able to do much at the NHL level.

We've seen good prospects and picks traded for players with term left. But when is the last time we saw a rental get that return? I'm asking because nothing comes to mind, so wondering if I'm forgetting something.

I have no idea how good Holloway will be, I just used him as an example.

I agree, if Monahan should be traded, it should be for more than a contender's first.

 

[StCaufield]

Let’s make this 25 year rebuild longer by trading anybody with a soul on the team for late round picks

 

[WeThreeKings]

Let’s make this 25 year rebuild longer by trading anybody with a soul on the team for late round picks

Let's follow the Edmonton/Bergevin model and put yourself in cap hell by giving too much money and too much term to players who aren't reliably healthy and going into their 30s.

This doesn't even take into account herniated discs in his back.

 

[overlords]

Re-signing Monahan is admitting that you think we're in a spot to trade a 1st + 2nd/b prospect for a 29 year old with one of the most dubious injury histories in the league. Completely bonkers. We have more than enough capspace to overpay him in the offseason to smooth over any hard feefees post-trade, if necessary.

 

[Mrb1p]

This might be a difficult choice.

Trading Monahan likely means acquiring another 1st round pick or blue chip prospect, and drafting 4th rather than 8th. That's a lot of value.

But Monahan makes the team a lot better, and next year is time for a transition. It's not just how well Monahan plays, it's that he can elevate the game of players like Pearson and Gallagher, and that the team can survive an injury to Dach or Suzuki.

I think that the cost to trade Monahan should be very high, e.g. Dylan Holloway + 1st rounder.

I think we can get a lot more than that package for Monahan, provided hes healthy. 2 millions for a 2A center veteran is insane value wise. He can also slot in on the wing just as well.

It sucks to lose him, hes much better than he ever was IMO, hes actually adapted really well and started playing with a lot more conviction once Johnny left his wing.

With that said, we cant give up on a prospect that will be an impact player for 10+ years for the Habs because of emotion. Im sure Money would be really happy to get a few other cracks at a cup too. Edmonton makes the most sense as a need, but they dont have the assets. I dont care about Holloway or any of their other busts and I am not that interested in a 20s 1st.

Re-signing Monahan is admitting that you think we're in a spot to trade a 1st + 2nd/b prospect for a 29 year old with one of the most dubious injury histories in the league. Completely bonkers. We have more than enough capspace to overpay him in the offseason to smooth over any hard feefees post-trade, if necessary.

This. And the same thing can be said for Matheson.

 

[Miller Time]

I assume we can't get a blue Chip prospect for Monahan. But if there's a prospect like Suzuki on the table, like there was in the Paciorrety trade, you have to do it. But I assume there will only be a 1st on the table that could potential be 11 to 15th overall, but more likely will be 25 to 30th overall, plus a prospect like Heineman. I would keep Monahan if that's the case.

And how good do you think Holloway will be. He hasn't been able to do much at the NHL level.

We've seen good prospects and picks traded for players with term left. But when is the last time we saw a rental get that return? I'm asking because nothing comes to mind, so wondering if I'm forgetting something.

If Monahan does want to re-sign in Montreal, it seems like a slam dunk case of trade then sign in the offseason...

Short of the Habs being comfortably in a wild card spot by the deadline, I can't see him not welcoming a trade to a playoff lock... After the last few years, he's as keenly aware as any player how quickly the NHL window can close.

He gets to go on a playoff run and barring a big injury, returns in the offseason. Habs have more than enough cap room to make him a generous 2-3yr deal & can easily justify being the highest bidder given his fit with the team/coaches/city & our need for at least 1 or 2 vets effective vets up front.

Oilers 1st + Holloway would be enough value for me... Assuming they feel confident Holloway could take a top 9 role next year...

More would be great but I wouldn't hesitate to pull that trigger by early/mid-Jan if it were the best on the table (waiting out till the deadline week frenzy is an option, but increases the injury risk)

 

[NewEraGM]

I think he wants to get traded at deadline, not because he doesn’t like it in Montreal but he can seriously rebuild some of his value for what could be his last big contract. He’s just coming off a smaller deal. He’s nearing 30…if he can stay healthy and put together a nice playoff performance that’s much different price tag than just scoring 50-60 points on non playoff team

 

[BaseballCoach]

This And the same thing can be said for Matheson.

If I read it right, the "this" was trade and sign back in July. Can't do that with Matheson. His contract is only up in July 2026.

 

[LaP]

Let's follow the Edmonton/Bergevin model and put yourself in cap hell by giving too much money and too much term to players who aren't reliably healthy and going into their 30s.

View attachment 763851

This doesn't even take into account herniated discs in his back.

I think he had two hip surgery right?

 

[WeThreeKings]

I think he had two hip surgery right?

Believe it was both his hips.

 

[LaP]

Re-signing Monahan is admitting that you think we're in a spot to trade a 1st + 2nd/b prospect for a 29 year old with one of the most dubious injury histories in the league. Completely bonkers. We have more than enough capspace to overpay him in the offseason to smooth over any hard feefees post-trade, if necessary.

That's probably the best way to look at this.