Can Canadiens forward Sean Monahan keep up his hot start to 2023-24?

it’s been quite a career for Sean Monahan — and he’s not yet 30.

Taken by the Calgary Flames with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, the Brampton, Ontario, native had three 30-goal campaigns during his nine seasons with the Flames, including a career-high 34 goals and 82 points in 2018-19.

But injuries and inconsistent play led to the Flames trading away their former top prospect to the Montreal Canadiens ahead of the 2022-23 campaign. Again, injuries ended Monahan’s season early, finishing with six goals and 17 points in 25 games. He re-signed with the Canadiens on a one-year, $1.985 million deal, and so far, he has looked electric.

In nine games in 2023-24, Monahan has five goals and three assists for eight points, including some minutes on the first power-play unit with captain Nick Suzuki.

On Tuesday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and Frank Seravalli discuss Monahan’s hot start and what his ceiling could be for the rest of his career.

Tyler Yaremchuk: How about the fact that Sean Monahan is off to the start that he’s on? Eight points in nine games. He’s always felt like one of those players you kind of feel for. Monahan got so banged up towards the end in Calgary. Look at last year: he got off to a very good start, looked like he was going to be a serviceable NHL player, but got hurt. Now after this start, I am choosing to believe Sean Monahan can be a 20-, 25-goal guy this year.

Frank Seravalli: I think it’s better than a good story — I think it’s the real deal. I think Sean Monahan, when completely healthy, is a really competent second- or third-line center on a really good team. Look at the numbers he’s put up when he’s healthy. Last year, 17 points in 25 games. This is someone that before that, he was in the high-20s, low-30s in terms of production, but hasn’t been able to stay on the ice and stay healthy.

Click here to listen to the rest of the segment on Monahan…