Calgary Flames F Sean Monahan Signs 7-Year Extension

Apr 9, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Calgary Flames forward Sean Monahan (23) in the first period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Calgary Flames forward Sean Monahan (23) in the first period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Calgary Flames F Sean Monahan Signs 7-Year Extension Worth $44.6 Million Dollars ($6.3M/yr)

Rumors broke early Friday morning that Calgary Flames F Sean Monahan was nearing a long-term extension. Hours later, Elliotte Friedman announced via twitter that the two sides have come to an agreement.

Monahan signed a seven-year extension worth $44.6 million dollars ($6.3M/yr), which keeps him in Calgary through the 2022-23 season.

Calgary Flames F Sean Monahan was selected 6th overall back in 2013. He managed to impress in his first training camp as an 18-year-old and stuck around with the team in 2013-14 posting 22 goals, 12 assists (34 points) in 75 games.

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His totals nearly doubled in 2014-15 to 31 goals, 31 assists (62 points) in 81 games playing alongside Johnny Gaudreau and Jiri Hudler (who had a career-high season).

Monahan still managed to score 27 goals, 31 assists (63 points) this past season even though the Flames struggled to find a permanent linemate alongside their young stars.

Sean is set to compete in September’s World Cup of Hockey next month. He will be part of Team North America, the first ever 23 and under squad combining Canadian and American skaters.

Analysis/Reaction

Give Sean Monahan and his agent Pat Morris some credit. They realized that numerous similar quality players were up for contract this summer and did a great job patiently waiting for those individuals to sign.

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After all, Monahan had outperformed all of them over the past two years (i.e. Nathan MacKinnon, Mark Scheifele, Aleksander Barkov, Filip Forsberg). If he had accepted a deal in the early stages of the offseason, it’s very likely that cap number sits just shy of six million dollars.

Barkov signed for $5.9 million annual average value (AAV); Forsberg was handed $6 million AAV; Scheifele earned $6.125 million AAV; and MacKinnon was given $6.3 million AAV. These are the comparable that agent Pat Morris was able to use to his advantage in negotiations.

A few early rumblings on social media have fans suggesting Calgary might have overpaid for Monahan. That is not true at all. This is the cost of doing business when you’re dealing with a 21-year-old center coming off two straight 60+ point seasons.

Let’s not forget the extra responsibility that comes with playing up the middle. By the time Calgary Flames F Sean Monahan has fully developed his game a few years down the road, this contract will be borderline cap friendly.

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Time to Sign Gaudreau

Focus now turns to Johnny Gaudreau. It will be very interesting to see what type of contract he earns. Gaudreau is arguably a top 10 player in the NHL right now, and scary thing is, he could be a top five player.

You almost wonder if a bridge deal is the most ideal route for the player in this scenario.