The Calgary Flames announced this morning that centre Sean Monahan is shut down for the remainder of the season. He’ll miss the team’s final four games and receive hip surgery next week. The team expects him to be ready to go for the 2021-22 campaign.
.@MFradiology Injury Update: Sean Monahan will not play the remaining four games of the season. He is scheduled for hip surgery next week and will be ready for full participation at training camp. pic.twitter.com/yKvkig5hVP
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) May 12, 2021
Sean Monahan Out for Calgary’s Final Games
Sean Monahan’s injury dampens an already muted end to Calgary’s (and Monahan’s season). In this shortened season, Monahan posted career lows in both goals and points. His 10 goals and 28 points were still only good enough for fifth on the team in each category. That’s a significant step back for a player who served as the team’s number one centre when they finished atop the Western Conference a few short years ago.
Monahan wasn’t the only player struggling to meet expectations on the Flames this season. As a whole, the entire team miserably underperformed, currently sitting four games under the .500 mark. In the net, Jacob Markstrom regressed mightily after a strong start, currently with just a 19-19-2 record to go with a .905 save percentage.
Moving Forward
An inconsistency in Monahan’s linemates may have played a part in his poor numbers this season. He spent most of the season playing with Johnny Gaudreau on his left flank, but on his right, he was paired with a rotating cast of wingers that included Brett Ritchie and Sam Bennett.
For Calgary, this offseason will be full of decisions. They’ll hope for a bounce-back season from Monahan after his recovery. Per CapFriendly, the 26-year-old centreman is signed for two more seasons at $6.375 million. If he can continue to serve as at least a reliable second-line centre through the rest of a deal, Calgary has a chance at constructing an improved forward core around him.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
