A small risk that can pay off big. Kent Hughes was right when he offered Sean Monahan a one-year contract for the modest sum of $2 million. If he can stay healthy and continue on his current path, No. 91 may become the biggest bargain in the NHL.
Photo Martin Chevalier
Exactly. Considering he signed at a discount due to his medical history, what true value does Monahan have? The company Sportlogiq examined the topic by making a series of comparisons with other centers in Bettman’s scene who signed their last contract when they were the same age as the 29-year-old center.
A variety of aspects of the game were taken into account on both the defensive and offensive levels. For example, success on face-offs, presence in the goal area, entering and leaving the zone, fighting for the puck.
The names of Brock Nelson, Ryan O’Reilly and Tomas Hertl are among those whose play and contributions are most similar to that of the former Flames player. We’re talking about three strong guys here.
Since signing his $6 million per season contract in May 2019, Nelson has led the Islanders with 229 points in 291 games. We’re talking about a production rate of 64 points over an 82-game season. That’s very close to the 62-point pace Monahan has maintained since wearing the Canadian colors.
Hertl, on the other hand, scored 63 points the season after signing his contract, which earned him an average of just over $8 million per season. He had 10 in 15 games this fall.
Evidence from the past
When he signed the contract, he had just completed a 30-goal season. A plateau that Monahan crossed twice by the time he earned an average salary of $6.375 million.
“I’ve done this before,” Monahan said when asked to explain this brilliant start to the season. I am trusted in many situations. I touch the puck a lot.”
The Ontario native has been used in both the massive attack and the numerical penalty, and has blacked out the scoresheet at least once in almost every game since the start of the season. He was only suspended four times in 15 games.
It’s no surprise that he’s currently second on the Habs in scoring with 13 points. He is joined on this podium by Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki, two teammates who earn just over $7.8 million per season.
“He brings a lot of consistency and is a professional. He understands what we want to do. He is disciplined about the concepts of the game and the direction we want to take. It is no coincidence that he is successful,” praised Martin St-Louis after the encounter on Sunday.
Who is at risk?
In short, a player this useful is worth his weight in gold in today’s NHL. A contract worth around $6 million may be what the Monahan clan is seeking at the end of the campaign. As a result, Hughes will have a big decision to make as the trade deadline approaches.
Will he maintain this key element of his offense while risking another injury slowing his momentum, or will he take advantage of playoff runs to in turn push that risk into another team’s backyard? Prospects and draft picks?
At $6 million per season, it’s a think tank. Especially since the Monahan clan will most likely demand a long-term agreement. At 29 years old, he will look to maximize this contract.