Rangers get saved from themselves again: Sean Monahan to Winnipeg

Per Pierre LeBrun, Sean Monahan will be heading to Winnipeg for a 1st round pick and a conditional pick. Monahan was high on a few people’s lists in the comments, and his name had been mentioned in the rumor mill as both a target and a non-target due to the strained relationship between Jeff Gorton and Chris Drury. Regardless, the Rangers were saved from themselves again with Monahan going to Winnipeg.

One of the consistent messages pushed here is to evaluate how a specific rumor might benefit the Rangers, and also where the player might fit in the lineup. We can always see benefits by looking at raw stat lines, but it’s that second level, seeing where the player fits, that is often overlooked.

The big thing to remember is the Rangers need a 3C that is effective in all three zones, plays with a bit of an edge, and doesn’t need powerplay time to put up stats. All of that is also in relation to cost. Lindholm, for example, would not be getting top-six time or PP1 time, severely limiting his impact. Imagine giving up 5 pieces for a 15-17 minute per game (5v5 only) player?

Regarding Monahan, his 5v5 stats aren’t great. He has a nice line of 13-22-35 in 49 games, but 6-10-16 is on the powerplay, and he has 2 shorthanded goals. At 5v5, Monahan has a pretty rough scoring line of 5-12-17 while playing top-six minutes. He is also an empty calorie scorer at 5v5, with minimal offensive play driving and horrid defensive numbers.

He’s a fit in Winnipeg because they have their top line established (the Mark Schiefele line) and their shutdown line established (the Adam Lowry line). That allows Monahan to play in sheltered offensive zone minutes.

Conversely, the Rangers already have a sheltered offensive zone line, and it’s the Artemi Panarin line. So Monahan wouldn’t be sheltered and instead would likely get targeted by opposing teams.

Is a 1st round pick for the wrong fit a good move? Nope. The Rangers were saved from themselves again, whether it be from Winnipeg or from Gorton’s rumored refusal to deal with the Rangers.