Flames may buy out former 6th overall pick this summer; if they do, should the Leafs sign him?
Calgary Flames forward Sean Monohan was one of the most consistent centermen in the NHL from 2014-2018. You just knew what you were getting from him on a nightly basis and over the course of a season.
From 2017-2019, however, Monahan's production shot off the charts when he put up 82 points in 78 games in 2018-19. This also raised expectations for the former 6th overall pick in 2013, and not only has he failed to reach that bar again, but he's also dropped below his previous bar over his last 3 seasons (including this one).
Sportsnet's Nick Alberga believes that Monahan could be headed for a buyout this season and, to be honest, it's not such a farfetched notion, given how far below expectations he's been playing.
After putting up 63 points in 2015-16, Monahan signed a mammoth 7-year, $44.625M deal with the Flames, which carried an AAV of $6.375M. The deal looked like a bargain at first - especially after his massive 2018-19 season. Now, the deal is an albatross for the Flames, and despite efforts over the last season to try to move that contract, the Flames may have no choice to buy out Monahan's final year of the deal this summer.
Monahan has registered just 28 points in 50 games last season and has continued to trend in the wrong direction, posting just 22 points in 63 games this year. He's also a combined -38 in his past 3 seasons.
It's likely that any potential suitors knew that Calgary was eager, possibly even desperate to move the 27-year-old over the past 2 seasons and really pushed for 50% salary retention in order to take on the contract. The Flames simply were not going to do that, as they'd have been on the hook for $3.187M through next season.
Here's where the buyout idea comes into play. If the Flames buy Monahan's final year out this summer, they'll only be on the hook for $2M in 2022-23 and 2023-24. Yes, they're paying for an additional year, but they'd be freeing up 4.375M next year, which beats saving $3.187M - especially with the cap only expected to rise by $1M next season.
Whether or not the Flames go the route of a buyout remains to be seen, but I could see it being the case if teams are pushing for 50% salary retention. Flames GM Brad Treliving certainly doesn't want to be taken advantage of, so in Nick Alberga's mind, he may be willing to have some dead money on the books for an additional year rather than to cave to the demands of rival GM's who he feels are trying to low-ball him.
If bought out, Monahan, a Brampton, ON native, could be a candidate for the Leafs to bring in on the cheap this summer. A one-year deal in the $2M-$3M range could make a lot of sense for both sides if Monahan is willing to play left wing. From Monahan's perspective, it puts him in the spotlight, likely in a top-six role, in the hottest hockey market in Canada. Tons of media coverage. So if he performs well, he could use the Toronto media to his advantage to land a massive deal as a UFA the following summer.
From the Leafs' perspective, they'll have an experienced forward who has performed at a point-per-game pace just a few years ago. If he agrees to slot in on the wing next to John Tavares and William Nylander, he could provide the Leafs with a lethal top-six so that they'll be able to compete for the top spot in a very good Atlantic Division.
| POLL | ||
MARS 25 | 196 ANSWERS Flames may buy out former 6th overall pick this summer; if they do, should the Leafs sign him? Will the Flames buy out Sean Monahan this summer? | ||
| Absolutely | 73 | 37.2 % |
| Not a chance | 42 | 21.4 % |
| They'll find a way to trade him | 81 | 41.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
