On Wednesday the Vancouver Canucks made the biggest trade splash of the season thus far. They acquired Centreman Elias Lindholm in exchange for a first-round pick, prospects Hunter Brzustewicz and Joni Jurmo, a conditional fourth-round pick, and Andrei Kuzmenko. This big package is what it took for the contending Canucks to acquire Lindholm.
While the price may seem steep, it’s music to the ears of Kent Hughes as that means that Sean Monahan‘s trade value has just gone up. With Lindholm off the market, Monahan is now the best centreman on the market. Monahan has 35 points in only 49 games this season for the Canadiens and has been a key contributor at both ends of the ice. Many reports have stated that the Canadiens could fetch a first-rounder for Monahan and that prospect seems more and more likely.
Sean Monahan Potential Trades
New York Rangers
The Rangers have one of the deepest forward groups in the league currently. However, it was recently announced that forward Filip Chytil would miss the season with concussion issues. This leaves the team with a void at the 3C position behind Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck. Insert Sean Monahan. Monahan would be the perfect fit on the Rangers third line and the team has the picks and prospects to make this move happen.
The Rangers have some solid prospects such as Brennan Othmann and Gabe Perreault in the system, as well as first-round picks. The team’s big asset that has received a lot of chatter as of late though is Kaapo Kakko. The former second-overall pick has struggled offensively since entering the league and it appears his days in New York are numbered. Would the team be willing to give up on Kakko in order to trade for Sean Monahan? That is the question.
Winnipeg Jets
The Jets desperately need some centre help behind Mark Scheifele. The team has been playing Gabriel Vilardi on the wing and captain Adam Lowry isn’t the ideal second-line centre. They could use Monahan to bolster this depth and slot everyone better in the lineup. Winnipeg has prospects like Rutger Mcgroarty whom they likely wouldn’t want to part with for a rental. But would a player like Brad Lambert or Colby Barlow be off-limits to the Canadiens? A package including one of these prospects and a first-rounder would certainly be enough to entice the Canadiens to trade Monahan to Manitoba, but that may be a steep price for a rental for the Jets.
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche are looking to win their second cup in the last three years, following their 2021-22 victory. However, the team has been looking to fill the centre void left behind since Nazem Kadri departed for Calgary. The Avs signed Ryan Johansen in the summer and they also have Ross Colton to help support Nathan MacKinnon. However, acquiring a centreman like Monahan would give them the luxury of shifting Colton to the wing and give them the centre depth they’ve been sorely lacking.
The Avalanche have their first-rounders in the next two seasons which would likely end up being in the 25-32 range. The team also has some intriguing prospects such as Alex Beaucage, Mikhail Gulyayev, and Calum Ritchie. A package of a first plus a prospect of this calibre could be enough to trade Sean Monahan to Colorado.
What Will Give for a Sean Monahan Trade?
Sean Monahan‘s trade value has never been higher and Kent Hughes has to pounce on this opportunity. Teams like the Rangers and Jets have some of the best potential packages to offer, but how much are they willing to give up for a rental player? If the Elias Lindholm trade return is any indication, however, Canadiens fans will be ecstatic with the Sean Monahan trade package.
Main Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
