The Calgary Flames have announced that they will be without star centre Sean Monahan for Saturday night’s tilt against the Winnipeg Jets. Monahan left Friday’s game against the New York Rangers with an illness after the first period.
Flames Sean Monahan Out Saturday Night vs. Jets
Flames’ Monahan out Saturday vs. Jets. MORE: https://t.co/sgaKY7ng7B pic.twitter.com/7NFTXwltyq
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 16, 2019
Head coach Bill Peters stated the illness is similar to the one that kept Flames’ goalie Mike Smith out earlier this week. In hopes to not pass the sickness on to the rest of the club, Monahan did not make the trip to Winnipeg.
In 71 games this season, Monahan has scored 31 goals and added 45 assists for 76 points.
Over his career, Monahan has scored 169 goals and added 188 assists for 357 points in 464 games.
Monahan was originally drafted by the Flames in the first round, sixth overall in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
What This Means for the Future
Although it is described as an illness, fans have to wonder if Monahan’s absence has anything to do with the hit he received on Tuesday night against the New Jersey Devils. Monahan was asked to leave the game by an NHL concussion spotter after being hit by Devils’ forward Blake Coleman.
Monahan was able to return to the game and did practice on Thursday. However, one has to wonder if there are any lingering effects from the hit.
Missing Monahan for any amount of time is crucial for the Flames. They are currently in a tight race for the top position in the Pacific Division with the San Jose Sharks. Monahan centres one of the top lines in terms of production in the entire NHL, in between Johnny Gaudreau and Elias Lindholm.
Derek Ryan filled in for the missing Monahan for the rest of Friday night’s contest. He is expected to be there again against the Jets on Saturday night.
In 70 games with the Flames this season, Ryan has scored nine goals and added 20 assists for 29 points.
