Former Canadiens centre signed with Columbus to be reunited with Gaudreau, his linemate and friend over nine seasons with Calgary.
“There’s a lot that goes into (signing as a free agent) that I don’t really want to get into,” Monahan said Saturday morning at the Bell Centre, hours before facing his former team.
“Talking to Cole and Johnny, they played together at the world championships and got to know each other well,” Monahan said. “They had a great relationship. I know Cole looked up to John, watching him play when he was younger. To do that for him is obviously a big honour.”
Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes assured Monahan last season he would be traded to a contender, provided he remained healthy, well before the NHL’s March 8 deadline. Hughes secured a first-round 2024 draft choice for Monahan, 6-foot-2 and 197 pounds, along with a conditional third-round ’27 pick that failed to materialize when the Jets didn’t win the Stanley Cup.
Monahan was the Blue Jackets’ second-leading scorer heading into Saturday, with six goals and 13 points in 16 games. At the same time, Montreal arguably never has recovered from the departure of its second-line centre. When utilized there, Kirby Dach has been unable to fill the void.
“It was a lot of fun playing here,” said Monahan, traded to Montreal in August 2022. “It’s obviously special. A lot of history behind the organization. It’s a game I’m looking forward to playing here. Playing in this rink always is a lot of fun.
“I expected to be traded, but had no idea where I was going. It was out of my hands.”
Monahan’s injury history included surgeries on both hips, twice for hernias and a wrist fracture while with the Flames. A groin injury limited him to 25 games with the Canadiens his first season. But he remained healthy last season, scoring 13 goals and 35 points in 49 games before being moved. With Winnipeg, Monahan had 13 goals and 24 points in 34 games.
Dean Evason, hired as the Blue Jackets’ head coach last July 22, said the addition of Monahan has been a welcome sight.
“Obviously, his play speaks for itself,” said Evason, who spent portions of five seasons coaching Minnesota. “Just to have a veteran presence, obviously with his connection with Johnny, was something we all were excited about seeing back together. We’ve all watched it through the years. Obviously, and, unfortunately, that didn’t happen.
“He (Monahan) is the consummate pro. He’s a stabilizing figure on the ice and in our locker room.”
Evason and the entire organization couldn’t be certain how the players would react without Gaudreau once the season began. And while there have been some hiccups — Friday night’s 6-2 home-ice win against Pittsburgh ended a six-game losing streak — Columbus carried a 6-8-2 record into the match. The team has missed the playoffs the last four seasons.
“We’re building,” Evason said. “We’re growing. We had a bad stretch, obviously, on our last road trip, but the guys for the most part have competed. They’ve stuck together. Obviously, that group’s been through a lot.”
“We’ve talked to him a lot,” Evason said. “He skates extremely well, but want him to make hard, aggressive plays, with and without the puck. He has to play the game with some purpose and some firmness. He played very well (Friday) night.”
Harris admitted he must use his feet while being more decisive on the ice and getting pucks to the net. Although Harris had been the speculation of trade talk, he was surprised the deal came so late in the summer.
“I know there were rumblings at the deadline,” he said Saturday morning. “At the end of the day, you know what comes along with playing hockey and what you do for a living.”