However, because he is already extremely appreciated in Montreal and because he brings a lot to the Habs (on and off the ice), Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton must also consider the option of keeping Monahan with the team for the longer term.
At what price?
This is a hotly debated issue, not least because a big decision will be made in the next few weeks.
Kent Hughes isn't just going to risk losing Monahan (to free agents) next summer. He's either going to sign him or trade him. He's been clear on that point.
So the question here is what it would cost the Montreal Canadiens to offer Sean Monahan a new contract. This is a question that was recently addressed by The Athletic's Arpon Basu and Marc-Antoine Godin.
According to them, and as Marco Normandin mentions, Sean Monahan will command a salary of at least $5 million per year for 5 years. And it could probably even be more.
The Vincent Trocheck example
Of course, in contract negotiations, as you probably know, players base their demands on similar contracts recently awarded to similar players.
Well here, the comparable identified is the pact signed last summer by New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck, a seven season contract worth nearly $5.7 million per year. (nearly $40 million in total)
Trocheck is a center who has battled injuries and had 51 points last season.
Monahan is an injury-fighting center who is on pace for 56 points this season.
Monahan and Trocheck have very similar careers, but the Habs forward is a little younger and has had better times.
Monahan and his agent could use this contract as the basis for talks with the CH, if Kent Hughes wants to keep him in Montreal.
Would you do it? A $40 million contract for Monahan, over seven years (just like Trocheck)
That's what his agent might be aiming for anyway. And at the very least, it could cost $25 million over five seasons.
For details:
POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 8 | 276 ANSWERS Development: a $40 million dollar contract for Sean Monahan? What contract would you give Monahan? | ||
40 millions over 7 years like Trocheck | 25 | 9.1 % |
25 millions over 5 years | 140 | 50.7 % |
I would trade him for a 1st round pick | 111 | 40.2 % |
List of polls |