In the end, the timing couldn’t have worked out any better for Sean Monahan.
By waiting out the quartet of top young centres who needed to be signed elsewhere, Monahan and his agent were able to establish the price tag he was poised to trump, signing a seven-year, $44.625 million contract Friday for an average annual value (AAV) of $6.375 million.
Collecting $75,000 more annually than former No. 1 pick overall Nathan MacKinnon could also come in handy as his weekend in Calgary will include furniture shopping as he and his girlfriend outfit the house she’s moving into with him.
“I would sign for 20 years if I could in Calgary,” said Monahan, whose lengthy string of contract silence had local fans getting increasingly nervous.
“When I got drafted here it felt like home right away. Two years ago when we made the playoffs and the city was going crazy was probably the best time of my life and I want lots more of that.”
So do the Flames, obviously.
Debate all you want over who the best player is – and will be – amongst Aleksander Barkov ($5.9 million AAV), Mark Scheifele ($6.125 million AAV), Filip Forsberg ($6 million) and MacKinnon ($6.3 million AAV). But no one can deny the man who has outperformed them all so far is the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Toronto native who has been the picture of professionalism, versatility and durability since he was taken sixth overall in 2013.
His 80 goals and 159 points top the aforementioned list, making it a no-brainer for super agent Pat Morris to insist Monahan was paid accordingly.
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The sticking point was how much more, creating two months of radio silence from both parties who suddenly emerged Friday to fill out paperwork and make the richest deal in team history official.
It took that long because for a franchise that has essentially been devoid of a legitimate top-line centre for decades it is one of the most important deals in Flames history.
Morris explained the delay came from both sides being deliberate and well-prepared. Add to that the fact the Flames are up against the salary cap and still have Johnny Gaudreau to sign, and it’s evident this needed to be done right.
And it was, especially considering he’s still making less than captain Mark Giordano annually ($6.75 million AAV).
With all due respect to Jarome Iginla and Giordano, this mega deal is one of the safest in team lore. The coach and the organization know what they can expect from the ultimate pro who has already established himself as a team leader at age 21.
He has size, strength, smarts and bundles it all together with a seriousness, maturity and dedication to fitness few can match.
He wants to win.
“Those are the types of guys you win with,” said GM Brad Treliving of a player known around the league for his comical Boring Sean Monahan twitter feed.
“It’s a great deal for him – that’s great financial security for a 21-year-old. But with that comes responsibility. As much as you look at statistics, it’s the person you’re investing in and we have no concerns about that – he’s a high character person.”
After being named alternate captain last year he went on to post 27 goals and a career-high 63 points in 81 games.
His production helped elevate winger Johnny Gaudreau to superstar status as the 5-foot-9, 157-pounder finished sixth in NHL scoring.
Elliotte Friedman reported earlier this week Gaudreau will play for Team North America at next month’s World Cup even if he doesn’t have a deal with the Flames and – assuming he doesn’t sign an extension with the Flames before then – won’t negotiate with the club during the tourney.
Given the fact his numbers in his first two years dwarf those of Vladimir Tarasenko, Gaudreau is looking for a deal similar to the one the St. Louis star inked last year with an AAV of $7.5 million.
One of the holdups there appears to revolve around the fact Gaudreau’s restricted free agency status is such that it prevents the threat of teams submitting an offer sheet for the college star.
Asked what @BoringMonahan would say about the lucrative deal, Monahan surprised no one with his response.
“Maybe just a smiley face.”
LOL.
