The 29-year-old, an 11-year NHL veteran, was already feeling them as he drove to the Winnipeg Jets’ practice facility on Sunday. They were still present when he made his way from the dressing room to the ice surface.
“That’s the most nervous I’ve been for a practice in a long time,” the Jets rookie admitted. “That’s a good feeling.”
On Friday, Monahan awoke in Palm Beach, Fla., to a few text messages from his agent.
He expected to move before the NHL’s March 8 trade deadline. So he made a phone call and settled in to watch how the day would turn out.
“The next thing you know, I was traded,” he went on to say.
Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff made an early move, acquiring Monahan from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for his 2024 first-round pick and a conditional 2027 third.
“It’s a great place to play,” Monahan added. “I’ve loved every time I’ve been in Winnipeg and the excitement of being a Canadian kid playing in a Canadian market.”
Monahan’s enthusiasm on Sunday was evident.
For the Brampton, Ont., product, it’s a chance to play with a contender after a couple of injury-shortened seasons, including season-ending hip surgery in the final season of his nine years in Calgary — the team that drafted him sixth overall in 2013 — and a groyne injury that limited him to 25 games last season.
“As a player, all you want to do is have a chance to play in the playoffs,” he told reporters.
Barring a spectacular disaster, he and the Jets will make the playoffs.
Monahan lined up between Nikolaj Ehlers and Cole Perfetti on Winnipeg’s second line during Sunday’s skate, as the Jets returned to practice after their bye week and the NHL’s All-Star break.
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