New Jersey Devils: Targeting Key Calgary Flames Forwards

Sean Monahan

Young, 25-year-old, 6’2″ centerman Sean Monahan is taking a lot of heat now just like Gaudreau. He doesn’t appear to be the part moved out as moving a top-line center isn’t normal, but if they do float his name out the Devils should be on it just like Gaudreau.

The one position going forward most fans of the Devils feel good in is probably center. That doesn’t mean the Devils shouldn’t look at improving the position. He has a big frame and is right in line with the age of the team while still being a proven veteran in the league.

The two biggest things Monahan provides are his two-way play and his scoring ability, both of which the Devils need. Hischier and Zacha are both fantastic two-way players, but having Monahan as a #2 center would drive teams insane. The Devils coaching staff could lay out a responsible two-way scoring center for almost 40 minutes of any game taking a ton of pressure off the defense and Mackenzie Blackwood. After that putting out Zacha and Zajac things wouldn’t get easier for the opposition and that alone would help us up a few spots in the standings.

Next is his goal scoring, netting an average of 28.6 goals per year over six years and 30 if you don’t include this shortened season. The only player on this roster who has proven they have a chance at 30 goals is Palmieri who has done it one time five seasons ago whereas Monahan has three times including most importantly the last full season. Putting him right on the second line would maybe give us the opportunity to try Jack Hughes on the wing to act like Gaudreau did for Monahan the first part of his career and we have seen what kind of chemistry he has with small shifty playmakers already.

With a cap hit of $6.375 million for the next four seasons, he is an asset moving forward that we know exactly what we will get without worrying about losing him. The term is great for the Devils as well expiring when he is 28. He could get a five or six-year deal if it worked out without having to expect a huge decline in the middle of the deal. It is a move to make for the right price. He would be a massive core part of this team moving forward.