New Jersey Devils: 5 Trade Rentals That Might Actually Be Worth It

Sean Monahan – Montreal Canadiens

We already regret putting someone from the Montreal Canadiens on the list because it will somehow lead to a million “ask for Nemec and a first for Monahan” tweets. Still, in reality, it’s worth talking about. Sean Monahan was pretty bad last season, but he found his game again in Montreal.

Monahan had 17 points in 25 games before he injured his foot after he was hit with a puck. He’s been injured for the past three seasons, but at least this was a fluke injury. When his foot fully heals, the expectations is he can be back to normal.

Right now, Monahan’s trade value has to be low. He was playing well, but he hasn’t played since early December. The Devils could take a chance on Monahan. The way he plays the game feels a lot like what Lindy Ruff was trying to do with Erik Haula. Monahan won 59% of his faceoffs this season. On top of that, he’s a known scorer.

Nobody will like to hear that Monahan is the player the Devils acquire to put next to Jack Hughes, but the Devils value possession. Monahan can get them possession, and he has a much better finishing touch than Haula. Fitzgerald shouldn’t pay the asking price for Monahan, but if he can get him for a simple draft pick and a cap dump, then it makes sense. This is a Canadiens team that already got a first-round pick just for taking on Monahan’s contract.