Sean Monahan Trade in 2022: Montreal Canadiens Currently Hold 20th Pick from Panthers
The trade that brought Sean Monahan to Montreal in 2022 is a perfect example of a complex transaction in the NHL.
In addition to the player, the Canadiens acquired a conditional first-round pick that continues to draw attention.
Initially, the Flames' pick could have gone to Montreal in 2024 if Calgary selected between the 20th and 32nd positions in the draft.
However, the Flames picked 16th, rendering that condition obsolete.
The Canadiens will now receive the higher-ranked pick between those of the Flames and the Panthers for the 2025 draft, unless Calgary's pick is in the top-10.
For Montreal, hopes rest primarily on the Flames.
Although the team has had an excellent start to the season and is currently eighth overall, their consistency over the entire season remains uncertain.
The Panthers, last year's Stanley Cup winners, seem less likely to falter.
As of today, the pick Kent Hughes acquired in the Sean Monahan trade with the Calgary Flames would be the 20th overall pick!
If the season ended today, Montreal would indeed draft twice in the first round: 5th overall with their own pick and 20th overall with the Panthers' pick.
However, the standings could change significantly by the end of the season, of course.
Still, this provides a good idea of the current outlook.
For the Canadiens, the ideal scenario would be a decline from the Flames or the Panthers, which would improve the value of the conditional pick they received.
If the Flames decline too much, earning the first overall pick, the Canadiens would instead receive their 3rd round pick this year and the higher of Calgary or Florida's 2026 1st round pick.
The performances of both teams will therefore need to be closely monitored over the coming months.
In any case, it remains an excellent trade for Kent Hughes and the Canadiens, without a doubt, and this pick acquired for free could work wonders for the ongoing rebuild.
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