Monahan: Trade or Extend (assuming a decent season)

[JianYang]

That depends. This team believed in him when no other team did, least of the all Calgary. He likes play for MSL, I'd also wager. If this team is close to a wild card spot, we can make the case that it is on the upswing, especially with a mobile, juggernaut defense maturing. It's not cut-and-dried.

Nothing is cut and dry but you make certain assumptions. I don't think it's reasonable to assume that monahan would forego a chance at a cup for loyalty reasons. Besides, I'm not sure how much the Habs are providing in the goodwill department given that they only signed him to a cheap one year deal. It's just a deal that makes business sense for both parties.

I especially don't think it's reasonable for the Habs to be considered a wildcard team anytime soon.

Crazier things have happened, but I'm definitely not counting on the low probability scenarios.

 

[Paddy17]

If he's healthy, trade him. Then if he wants to come back with another one-year contract, sure.

 

[BaseballCoach]

If he's healthy, trade him. Then if he wants to come back with another one-year contract, sure.

That rarely works and almost never with under 35s.

 

[417]

At this point, he’s pricing himself out of being Re-signed anyway.

It's a moot point for me, it's not a question of “if” but “when”.

 

[Colezuki]

At this point, he’s pricing himself out of being Re-signed anyway.

It's a moot point for me, it's not a question of “if” but “when”.

I personally see it as let's see where we are come deadline time no need to rush a decision. If the guys are still playing well and are in the playoffs, keep him for the run and use him as a "trade deadline acquisition", If we're out, trade him for a haul. As another poster posited, I don't like the idea of gambling on Monahans health (see gallagher) and he'll likely be looking for as much as he can get given that health situation. When he leaves Dach can likely step back in and replace him without much lost impact.

my 2 Cents

 

[HuGort]

At this point, he’s pricing himself out of being Re-signed anyway.

It's a moot point for me, it's not a question of “if” but “when”.

If Monahan stays healthy he's going to hit jackpot next summer.

 

[LaP]

I personally see it as let's see where we are come deadline time no need to rush a decision. If the guys are still playing well and are in the playoffs, keep him for the run and use him as a "trade deadline acquisition", If we're out, trade him for a haul. As another poster posited, I don't like the idea of gambling on Monahans health (see gallagher) and he'll likely be looking for as much as he can get given that health situation. When he leaves Dach can likely step back in and replace him without much lost impact.

my 2 Cents

We are not in a position to make trade deadline acquisition. if you don't trade him you must be 100% sure to extend him to a fair contract (under 4 years ideally)

 

[DAChampion]

If we can’t make something of all our current prospects to compete with one more 1st rounder won’t make a difference but if Monahan can stay healthy he would take a lot of pressure off our young core and we struggle to attract any UFAs without overpaying so might as well try and keep him - assuming he can finish the season

That's a good comparison.

Monahan staying healthy for three years is probably more likely than a 25th overall becoming a good top -6 forward.

 

[Runner77]

That depends. This team believed in him when no other team did, least of the all Calgary. He likes play for MSL, I'd also wager. If this team is close to a wild card spot, we can make the case that it is on the upswing, especially with a mobile, juggernaut defense maturing. It's not cut-and-dried.

This team believed in that palatable return they got for taking on a whole lot of porcelain.

Along the way, we’ve discovered a guy who can be a core player again (albeit on a limited string of games as a Hab), who is a great mentor and teammate, who loves the city and who was willing to sign for cheap on a one year show me deal with a rebuilding team.

The skill and IQ are there in spades. As is the risk that his health may cause him to fall off the map. If he’s healthy at the trading deadline, the return he’ll command may just be too good to pass up.

And if he’s capable of getting through this season healthy, he may just price himself out of a contract extension, if that were even an option.

 

[Maitz]

If you have a 1st round for Monahan you have to trade him, that's a no brainer

 

[waffledave]

I don't think it's a given you trade him. He clearly has a big impact on the team, especially on the young guys, and is a stabilizing presence. You need strong vets that gel well with the young core. It would be very hard to pass up a big package at the deadline but I would certainly look to bring him back. But hey, if this team is square in the playoffs come the deadline I'm not sure they move him.

 

[StCaufield]

Keep him. He’s a pure example for what you should be as a player for the kids. Winning a few more games because of him (not the only reason) helps development

 

[LaP]

If you have a 1st round for Monahan you have to trade him, that's a no brainer

If he keeps playing like that it will need more than just a 1st round. A good prospect will need to be added.

 

[LaP]

Keep him. He’s a pure example for what you should be as a player for the kids. Winning a few more games because of him (not the only reason) helps development

A few more wins now means nothing if you can't replace Monahan in 4-5 years. The team is winning because Monahan is playing like a 70 points player. It's far from certain he'll keep being that guy for more than 3 years. I'd say it's unlikely actually given his history of injuries.

If you receive a prospect like Nick Suzuki (when we got him) and a 1st round pick you got to move him imo. The easy decision to make are rarely the ones that matter the most. The hard decision are the ones making the difference.

 

[Hins77]

If you have a 1st round for Monahan you have to trade him, that's a no brainer

I would prefer a legit prospect over a 29th oa pick wich could likely become a top 6 dman or bottom 6 forward

 

[Tabarouette]

I would prefer a legit prospect over a 29th oa pick wich could likely become a top 6 dman or bottom 6 forward

which seems to be our plan anyway tbh, Dach and Newhook and etc, young projects

That's fine by me too tbh

 

[LaP]

which seems to be our plan anyway tbh, Dach and Newhook and etc, young projects

That's fine by me too tbh

At this point of our rebuild we should be looking at prospects more than picks. Most prospects drafted in 2024 wont be ready to play an important role before 2028-2029. At that point Suzuki will be 29-30. We should be looking at prospect ready to play next years. Guy who are 19 or 20 this season. Trading Pearson or David Savard for picks fine. But if Monahan keeps playing like that and is healthy at the deadline he is pricing himself out of being traded for just a pick.

 

[Kosseca]

I think its pretty obvious how this will shake down:
KH will speak with him and ask him if he want to stay and if so how much and how long he wants. If he doesn't what to stay or if he's asking for too much... he's traded. If this make sense for MTL, the next question would be "ok if we trade you at the TDL and resign you next summer?" if the answer is nah... no trade.

This also assumes that MTL is out of the playoff race by then. If the team is still competing, forget a trade

 

[Tabarouette]

At this point of our rebuild we should be looking at prospects more than picks. Most prospects drafted in 2024 wont be ready to play an important role before 2028-2029. At that point Suzuki will be 29-30. We should be looking at prospect ready to play next years. Guy who are 19 or 20 this season. Trading Pearson or David Savard for picks fine. But if Monahan keeps playing like that and is healthy at the deadline he is pricing himself out of being traded for just a pick.

That also *really* scares me in a way because, you're right and I agree, but it implies that this is the core and we will only build around those guys.
While I love Cole and Suzuki it sure feels like a repeat of the plan from past 30 years... A team that will be competitive, make the playoffs and then you cross your fingers and hope for the best

 

[LaP]

That also *really* scares me in a way because, you're right and I agree, but it implies that this is the core and we will only build around those guys.
While I love Cole and Suzuki it sure feels like a repeat of the plan from past 30 years... A team that will be competitive, make the playoffs and then you cross your fingers and hope for the best

I totally agree with you which is why i advocate for trading Monahan no matter what cause he is "artificially" making this team better. By "artificially" i mean he's very unlikely to be as effective as he is now when this team will have enough experience to win in the real season around 3 years from now. If you can trade him for a quality 19-20 years old prospect who could replace what Monahan brings now in 3 years then imo you do it 100%.

 

[Redux91]

At this point, he’s pricing himself out of being Re-signed anyway.

It's a moot point for me, it's not a question of “if” but “when”.

 

[Colezuki]

We are not in a position to make trade deadline acquisition. if you don't trade him you must be 100% sure to extend him to a fair contract (under 4 years ideally)

I agree that’s why I’m saying “monahan” is the acquisition

 

[Runner77]

I totally agree with you which is why i advocate for trading Monahan no matter what cause he is "artificially" making this team better. By "artificially" i mean he's very unlikely to be as effective as he is now when this team will have enough experience to win in the real season around 3 years from now. If you can trade him for a quality 19-20 years old prospect who could replace what Monahan brings now in 3 years then imo you do it 100%.

I don’t know that Monahan can’t be as good into his 30s as he is now, provided his health permits. His game is not premised on speed or physicality and players with high IQ like him, tend to age well.

 

[Habs 4 Life]

All depends where we are at come trade deadline and if Monahan was able to stay healthy during the season. Personally if he remains healthy he would be a great leader to keep around the younger kids for the next 2-3 seasons.

 

[WeThreeKings]

You've already got Suzuki-Dach down the middle. Beck will be a 3C going forward, it's just a matter of time for that.

Chances are the return for Monahan will be high while there's likely not a trade to be had for Dvorak.

So run Suzuki-Dach-Dvorak down the middle while Beck develops, and you'll have Evans as 4C with Newhook who can flex in during injuries, etc.