3 centers the Chicago Blackhawks could target in free agency

Sean Monahan

After an injury-plagued past few seasons, Sean Monahan had one of the biggest comeback seasons in the league this year. He started the season on the Montreal Canadiens, where he was sent as a camp dump after the 2021-22 season, and was traded to the Winnipeg Jets at the trade deadline. He tallied 26 goals and 59 points as a quietly consistent player all season long.

Monahan ended up playing in 83 games this year for Montreal and Winnipeg, the first time since the 2016-17 season that he played in over 80 games. He was considered one of the most consistent young players in the NHL in the early days of his career, with the centerman surpassing 60 points four times in his first six seasons.

Monahan proved this season that he can still play at a high level and could be a welcomed addition to the Blackhawks top nine as a scorer. He went seven straight seasons with 20 or more goals to begin his career and returned to that mark once again this year. As a goal scorer, he knows how to be consistent and the Blackhawks need more goal scorers.

At 29-years old, Monahan brings leadership to his game as well after spending seven seasons in Calgary with a letter on his jersey.

Monahan's health could be an issue for a team looking to sign him to a longer-term deal, which could give the Blackhawks a chance to give him a shorter deal with a higher salary attached. Though his defensive game is not what it was, Monahan could be a very solid scoring option alongside the Blackhawks' young players.