Leafs officially linked to a former 1st round draft pick from another Canadian club

An intriguing name to follow as we near closer to the trade deadline is veteran centre Sean Monahan from the Montreal Canadiens. The former Calgary Flames first round pick from the 2013 NHL Entry Draft saw his play depreciate in quick order between 2019-20 and 2021-22 as he battled through a series of injuries, but his career has since seen a bit of a revival in Montreal.

Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff believes Monahan will be a prime trade target for several opposing teams in need of help under center, but Seravalli says the demand could be as high as a first-round pick.

From 2014-15 to 2018-19, Monahan played in 396 games over five seasons with Calgary, scoring 150 goals and 329 points. Over the next three seasons, he scored 40 goals and 99 points in 185 games, including just 18 goals and 51 points over the last two seasons.

Monahan was traded to the Canadiens in the summer of 2022, along with a conditional first-round pick in 2025 for future consideration. The Flames desperately needed to sign Nazem Kadri. Monaghan has regained some of his scoring prowess, scoring 17 goals and 48 points, including 31 points this season, in 71 games with Montreal. Seravalli leaves Maple as an option and sends the past to fire and fir.

\ “The lower leaf: GM Brad tells Monhan.

The price of the first round is vertical, but some of the comparative transactions can be taken from the mix of different order. Andrew Cobb was traded to the New York Rangers for a conditional first-round pick, a second-round pick, a fifth-round pick and a future pick. Barclay Goodreau was acquired by Tampa Bay for a first-round pick and a prospect. Paul Stastny was traded to Winnipeg for a first round, fourth round and his entire future salary.

The Maple Leafs could certainly use veteran leadership, another center behind Auston Matthews and John Tavares, and a two-way player with special teams skills. The Leafs have first-round picks in 2024 and 2026, but no second-rounders in the next three seasons and no first-rounders in 2025.

Monahan’s $1.985 million salary makes him feel much better, but it remains to be seen if Montreal will trade him to a division rival and if the Leafs will be willing to part with a very limited and empty locker. The time will come. Go to the draft. Still, if the Leafs acquire him, Monahan could certainly move into the top six and his low shot would be attractive.