Contrary to Matthew Tkachuk that supporters of Flames de Calgary were waiting with a brick, a beacon and boos at the top of their lungs, Tuesday evening, Sean Monahan will be welcomed with open arms at the Saddledome on Thursday.
By fans who will welcome the return of the Flames’ first-round pick – sixth pick – in the 2013 draft in Calgary, where he played his first nine NHL seasons before moving to the Habs last summer.
But also by former teammates who are more keen to salute his return to form and strength in the uniform of the Montreal Canadiens. A return that was far from certain due to the injuries that have plagued the 28-year-old veteran over the past few seasons.
At the end of the 2017-18 season, Monahan underwent back, groin and left wrist surgery to address injuries that had plagued him since the start of the campaign.
These interventions served as a springboard to a season of 82 points in 78 games the following year: his best in goals (34) and assists (48).
While we thought he might assume his role as the cornerstone of the Flames attack, Monahan instead began to decline. From 82 points, his production dropped to 48 (22 goals) in 2019-2020.
His last two seasons in Calgary have been miserable. Struggling with problems in both hips, problems that forced him to undergo successive interventions, Monahan settled for 28 points in 50 games (20-21) and 23 in 65 games last year. Unable to skate, Monahan was left out in the playoffs.
In Calgary, it was clear that Monahan and his contract – $6 million in cash and $6.375 million in payroll value – had become a drag on the Flames. Balls that they passed on to the Canadian as soon as Carey Price confirmed that he would not be able to play this year. A confirmation that allowed Kent Hughes to use the relief allowed in the calculation of the payroll according to the parameters associated with long-term injuries to relieve the Flames and obtain a bonus conditional first round choice in 2025.
To see Monahan return to Calgary with five goals and 14 points in 22 games played with the Habs, to see him able to play up to his potential and render important services as a Canadian beyond his contribution offense fills his former teammates.
“I have hardly ever seen Sean in full health”, launched the attacker Dillon Dube who joined the team in 2018-2019 before settling in the Flames locker room for good the following year.
“He was already an important player, a player I followed closely during my years in the junior ranks, because I am a local guy. It was hard to watch him struggle so much with his hip injuries over the past few years. But he never let go. He always trained very hard without ever complaining. Even if it was difficult, he was doing everything to boost his chances of returning to play in the playoffs. I started the last season with his trio. I learned a lot from him. I watch him go and I can only be happy for him. Everyone was happy when he collected his two points in the first game. It’s good to see him healthy once more,” added Dube.
“Sean has always been the perfect teammate. He is very discreet. He can even seem detached with his monotonous voice and disarming calm. But he’s a great hockey player and an even bigger competitor,” said defenseman Noah Hanifin, who has shared the Flames locker room with Monahan for the past four seasons.
No reason to boo Monahan
Tyler Toffoli knew Sean Monahan very well before he was traded to the Flames last winter in the first of many trades completed by Kent Hughes and the team’s new management.
He quickly found the competitor he had known in the junior ranks with the Ottawa 67’s in the OHL.
“I’m the type of guy to arrive in the locker room very early in the morning in order to train properly. Sean was always there before me, even when it became clear that he mightn’t come back. He worked so hard that I’m very happy for him to be able to play good hockey, “said his turn Tyler Toffoli who does not believe that his former teammate with the Flames and former roommates with the 67’s will be booed Thursday night.
“Let’s say Sean doesn’t have the same personality as Chucky (Matthew Tkachuk). I don’t think the fans will mind him returning to another club’s uniform. They shouldn’t anyway. At least, I don’t think so. But you never know how the fans will react. They are emotional”, which Toffoli added, sketching a broad smile.
“I am also starting to prepare for the worst when I will be back in Montreal on December 12,” concluded the former Canadian.
In addition to the happy memories Monahan left for Flames fans, he returns to the Habs uniform. A club that has many supporters in Western Canada, particularly in Calgary.
That should help things… or at least quell the boos a bit or two. So boos there are!
Good person, good teammate, good competitor
The pinnacle of support for Sean Monahan on the eve of his return to Calgary came from head coach Darryl Sutter. A coach who was however very severe towards the former big star upon his return behind the Flames bench in March 2021.
“Unfortunately, I might never count on Sean at his best. People need to understand how difficult it is to perform at your best when a player is dealing with a hip injury. Sean Monahan not only suffered injuries to both hips, but he underwent back-to-back surgeries. Despite all that, he did everything that was expected of him. He was giving his teammates everything he might in terms of leadership. He’s a captain,” Sutter said, although Monahan was always one of Mark Giordano’s assistants during his reign with the Flames.
Should the Canadian take advantage of the experience of a guy like Monahan to support the Suzukis, Caufields and other young people around whom the staff is rebuilding in order to remake the Canadian a club capable of aiming for great honors?
Should he instead take advantage of its value to trade it and obtain an attractive compensation for the future?
Darryl Sutter did not comment. However, he launched a profession of faith in the place of his former player.
“When you want to count on an experienced player to support young players, he absolutely must count on the following three qualities: he must be a good person; he must be a good teammate; he must be a good competitor. In Sean’s case, you can tick all three boxes: Check! Check! Check!” launched the veteran Flames coach without going any further in his remarks.
Dillon Dube got a bit more wet.
“He’s a guy who has a lot of leadership and experience to offer. I learned a lot from him watching him go on the rink. It is no accident that he has achieved so much success in his career. You understand what got him there when you play with him and see how well he trains off the ice. He’s a great guy to have on your team and I think he fits well with the Canadiens,” the speedy 24-year-old replied when asked to step into the shoes of the GM of the Canadian.
Beyond all the affection they have for Sean Monahan, the Flames will take every means to blacken his return as they seek a second straight win.
The day following their convincing 6-2 victory over the Florida Panthers, the Flames will host the Canadiens, Capitals, Coyotes and Minnesota Wild to conclude the five-game home streak that began on Tuesday.
If the Flames want to begin a climb allowing them to get back into the playoffs, they must take advantage of the favorable schedule that is emerging in front of them.
That said, there are never easy matches. The Canadian also learned the hard way Tuesday night as part of the shutout inflicted on them by the San Jose Sharks …
