<p>The Calgary Flames have traded center Sean Monahan to the Montreal Canadiens. The trade was first reported by hockey insider Chris Johnston on Thursday. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hearing that Sean Monahan is being dealt to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/habs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#habs</a> to help clear space for Nazem Kadri's signing in Calgary.</p>— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) <a href="https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1560314881278197760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2022</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>The Flames have sent Monahan and a conditional 1st round pick in 2025.</p>



<p>In a statement, Flames general manager Brad Treliving thanked Monahan.</p>



<p>“On behalf of the entire Flames organization, I sincerely thank Sean for his nine years of selfless dedication and perseverance,” said Treliving. “Sean was a great Flame, a first class individual who exemplified the definition of respect. Our team and city were fortunate to have him as a player, ambassador and member of our community. We wish Sean and his wife Brittany every success in this new chapter of their lives and once again say thank you.”</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="145"></div>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here are the conditions on the Monahan trade between the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> and Montreal.<br><br>And boy…there are conditions. <a href="https://t.co/w5xEY3dfe2">pic.twitter.com/w5xEY3dfe2</a></p>— Pat Steinberg (@Fan960Steinberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Fan960Steinberg/status/1560385471833747456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2022</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>Monahan, 27, is on the final year of a contract paying him an AAV of $6.75-million and appeared in 65 games last year with the Flames. He scored eight goals and 23 points before being shut down for hip surgery. </p>



<p>He’s struggled through injuries in recent years and his play, and role with the team, have gradually diminished. In his prime early in his career, Monahan was a solid top-six center and between his 19-year-old and 24-year-old season, six years worth of play, he scored 172 goals and 363 points. </p>



<p>It’s believed that Monahan could return to play this year and should be able to provide some solid value as a third-liner. He’s a necessary cap casualty, however, after the Flames signed UFA center Nazem Kadri to a seven-year deal with a $7 million AAV Thursday.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="155"></div>



<p>Montreal, meanwhile, has just under $250,000 in cap space, so the money quickly becomes tight for them. Despite that, placing Carey Price and his $10.5-million contract on the LTIR could quickly open things up for them with Kirby Dach still in need of a new contract.</p>


<hr><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at</span></i><a href="http://www.twitter.com/zjlaing"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">@zjlaing</span></a><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.</span></i><p></p>
<hr>