The Calgary Flames have traded forward Sean Monahan and a conditional first-round draft pick in 2025 to the Montréal Canadiens in exchange for future considerations. After hours of speculation, the two clubs made the announcement Thursday evening.
The 27-year-old Monahan scored eight goals and had 23 points in 65 games played during the 2021/22 regular season with the Flames. Monahan was held out of postseason action while recovering from his second hip surgery in as many seasons.
He has one year remaining on his contract at a $6.375-million cap hit, which is roughly the limit the Habs are over the cap as it stands right now. While announcing Monahan’s arrival, the Canadiens also announced that goaltender Carey Price would be placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) before the start of the season, clearing $10.5-million in cap space, which would give the Habs plenty of wiggle room.
According to Montréal Canadiens General Manager Kent Hughes, there’s a chance that Price doesn’t play at all this season, given the current state of rehabilitation for his injured knee.
Exit Monahan, Enter Kadri
While the Flames say goodbye to Sean Monahan, they welcome free agent forward Nazem Kadri, signing him to a seven-year, $49-million contract. The Monahan trade allowed Calgary to create enough cap space to lock up the 32-year-old forward, who is coming off a Stanley Cup winning season with the Colorado Avalanche.
“This is an exciting day for my family,” Kadri said in a statement. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to join such a passionate fan base and organization.
“I’ve always loved the city of Calgary and I look forward to giving everything I have to this team. Winning a Stanley Cup is a true honour, and it only makes you want it more. I would love nothing more but to see another banner in Calgary.”
Kadri was instrumental in the Avalanche’s playoff success in 2021/22, recording 15 points in 16 games played.
The trade conditions
Here are the conditions associated with the first-round selection acquired by Montréal: (according to FlamesNation)
1. In the event Calgary’s own 2024 first (1st) round choice is selection 20-32 (inclusive) (following the determination of the 2024 NHL Draft lottery results), then Montreal shall have the option, exercisable until 48 hours prior to the start of the 2024 NHL draft, to exchange the conditional 2025 or 2026 first round choice to become Calgary’s own 2024 first (1st) round choice); or,
If Florida’s 2025 First (1st) Round Choice Transfers to Calgary (pursuant to the conditions on an earlier trade)
2. In the event the conditions to trigger Montreal’s option as noted in #1 above does not occur, or Montreal declines to exercise this option, the following conditions shall prevail:
- A) If both Calgary’s own 2025 first (1st) round choice and Florida’s 2025 first (1st) round choice (previously acquired by Calgary) are not in the top-10 selections of the 2025 NHL Draft (following the determination of the 2025 NHL Draft lottery results), then Montreal shall receive the earlier of the two (2) stated choices; or,
- B) If Calgary’s own 2025 first (1st) round choice is a top-10 selection and Florida’s 2025 first round selection (previously acquired by Calgary) is outside of the top-10 selections (following the determination of the 2025 NHL Draft lottery results), Montreal shall receive Florida’s 2025 first (1st) round choice).
If Florida’s 2025 First Round Choice DOES NOT Transfer to Calgary (pursuant to the conditions on an earlier trade)
3. In the event the conditions to trigger Montreal’s option as noted in #1 above does not occur, or Montreal declines to exercise this option, the following conditions shall prevail:
A. If Calgary’s own 2025 first (1st) round choice is not in the top-10 selections of the 2025 NHL Draft (following the determination of the 2025 NHL Draft lottery results), Montreal shall receive Calgary’s own 2025 first (1st) round choice, and additionally,
- 1) If Florida’s own 2025 first (1st) round choice is not in the top-10 selections of the 2025 NHL Draft (following the determination of the 2025 NHL Draft lottery results); and,
- 2) Florida’s 2025 first (1st) round choice has been transferred to another NHL Club; and,
- 3) Florida’s 2025 first round draft position is better than Calgary’s 2025 first round draft position; then Calgary will transfer their own 2025 fourth round choice to Montreal.
B. If Calgary’s own 2025 first (1st) round choice is a top-10 selection (following the determination of the 2025 NHL Draft lottery results), Montreal shall receive Calgary’s 2025 first (1st) round choice, subject to the following condition below:
- 1) In the event Calgary’s 2025 first (1st) round choice is the first (1st) selection overall in the 2025 NHL Draft (following the determination of the 2025 NHL Draft lottery results), Calgary will retain its own 2025 first (1st) round choice and Montreal shall instead receive Calgary’s own 2025 third (3rd) round choice and a conditional 2026 first (1st) round choice. Montreal shall receive the better of Calgary’s 2026 first (1st) round choice or Florida’s 2026 first (1st) round choice (following the determination of the 2026 NHL Draft lottery results) (previously conditionally acquired by Calgary).
Andrew Stuetz