In August 2022, just after being acquired by the Canadian, Sean Monahan welcomed the chance given to him to prove what he was capable of.

Ten months later, by accepting a contract extension at a low price, he makes the same speech. “I still have a lot to prove. And I mainly have to prove it to myself, ”he said on Wednesday during a videoconference.

The 28-year-old Ontarian signed a one-year deal on Tuesday that will guarantee him $1.98 million. He will also receive a performance bonus of $15,000 if he plays at least 26 games, which would then round up his salary to $2 million.

The sum at stake is almost anecdotal – it does not even represent 1% of the base salary that the attacker will pocket. But the symbol is real. The 26 games are no accident: it’s one more than the 25 he played last season.

Monahan, as we know, has a heavy injury history. When the CH acquired him, he was recovering from operations on both hips. In 2022-23, a foot injury interrupted his season in December, and he injured his groin during rehabilitation. Over the past three seasons, he has missed a total of 80 games with the Calgary Flames and the Habs.

This bonus, Monahan does not make a big deal of it. “The most important thing for me is to play a full season, healthy,” he said.

Right now, it says it’s “closer to 100%” and “more comfortable” than it has been “in four or five years.” Which therefore includes last summer, when he was already showing his optimism.

“When we speak in the media, we always say that we feel good, but I’m the only one who knows how I feel,” he nuanced. I just feel normal. I don’t hesitate any longer, I don’t feel limited on the ice. It’s encouraging. »

Several times in the past, he started a season despite injuries, discomfort. The long break of the last few months is, he believes, “one of the best things that could have happened to [him].” His history leads him to “think differently” about his rehabilitation, his training. This is in order to prove that he is “still a very good player in this league”. What he has already done a bit by accumulating 17 points in 25 games in Montreal.

“The only thing on my mind is playing good hockey and taking care of myself. »

This raise, Sean Monahan could have lived it in another team, possibly at a similar salary or a little lower.

However, he did not want to leave with the feeling of unfinished business.

“I felt like I had to give Montreal, the fans, the organization another chance,” he said. I was given my chance as soon as I arrived. The coaches were amazing, and I made lifelong friends in the locker room. »

Among the factors that fueled this reflection, he notably identified the enthusiasm of his young teammates. In Calgary, he pointed out, he was part of a strong core of veterans. While in Montreal, he joined a young, energetic group of “guys who want to get better every day, push each other.”

“I think I can help the team. It’s an exciting time to be a member of the Canadiens. »

The presence of Martin St-Louis behind the bench also weighed heavily in the balance. “Martin is a big reason I want to come back,” he says, bluntly.

Monahan described his head coach as someone the players can relate to. Not too long ago he himself was playing in the league – “I played against him!” “, recalled the number 91 of the CH.

“It’s easy to talk to him, he understands today’s game well,” Monahan continued. He is a Hall of Fame player and person. It helps us to be better. The way he leads training, his energy, his enthusiasm, his positive mood, it makes you want to be successful for him, to work for him. I had never had a coach like that before. »

And to conclude that St. Louis had helped him “to like playing more as the season progressed”.

Monahan seems genuinely excited to return to action in September, especially since he will have the chance “to be comfortable from day 1”, in addition to being familiar with his teammates and the game system this time around. .

He believes a healthy training could return much better results than last year. “A lot of players are starving. They want to prove things and take steps in the right direction. It’s a good group of guys. I am very excited. »