Big center, who was acquired by Montreal along with a first-round draft pick, has had two recent hip surgeries but says he is healthy now.
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Sean Monahan says he’s looking forward to starting a new chapter in his career with the Canadiens.
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“I have a lot to prove and I want to prove it to myself,” Monahan said on a Zoom call hours after the Calgary Flames traded him to Montreal. “I know I am a great player. It has been a rocky road. I feel like myself again. I’m enjoying the game.”
Monahan hasn’t enjoyed the game the last two seasons. The sixth overall pick in the 2013 draft played through hip injuries that required surgery in 2021 and again last April.
“When you have the type of injuries that I’ve had, they take a toll,” Monahan said. “Just to feel good again, to be on the ice, trying hard.
“It’s a routine.” he added she. “This summer was big for me. I had surgery earlier than the year before. I put in a lot of work this summer. Right now, I’m on the ice four times a week.”
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Monahan said that he experienced problems early in his career, but he overcame them.
“I probably could have fixed it a long time ago, but it was my personal choice to play it,” he said. “It finally took its toll and I prioritized fixing it and getting back on my feet. It’s a good feeling and I’m back in high-level hockey again.”
Monahan has some friends on the team. He played with Paul Byron in Calgary and works out daily with Jake Evans, who may have to move to the wing to make room for Monahan at center. He said most of his new teammates have reached out to him and he’s looking forward to meeting them at training camp.
General manager Kent Hughes said he didn’t know if Monahan would be ready for the season opener, but Monahan was cautiously optimistic.
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“My goal is to show up at camp and be ready to go from day 1,” he said. “If there are things that I feel persist, I don’t want setbacks. I’ve done it many times and followed it, but I’m going to try to be 100 percent healthy and feel good mentally and have a good season for the Montreal Canadiens.
In addition to Monahan, the Canadiens received a first-round pick in exchange for future consideration. The conditions attached to the draft pick are complicated, but Montreal will get one of the following: Calgary’s pick in 2024, 2025 or 2026 or Florida’s pick in 2025 or 2026. They could also get Calgary’s third round pick in 2025 or a fourth round. in 2026.
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