Jets acquire forward Sean Monahan from Canadiens in exchange for first-round pick

Monahan is having a resurgent season with 13 goals and 35 points in 49 games

By Austin Nivison Feb 2, 2024 at 12:28 pm ET• 1 min read

The Winnipeg Jets have upgraded their forward group as they gear up for a heated Central Division race following the All-Star break. On Friday, the Jets acquired forward Sean Monahan from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a 2024 first-round pick and a conditional 2027 third-round pick.

Monahan, 29, has been having a resurgent season with the Canadiens in 2023-24. His 13 goals, 22 assists, and 35 points are already the most he's put up since 2019-20 when Monahan was still with the Calgary Flames.

One of the reasons for the bounce-back in scoring has been his power play prowess. Monahan already has six goals and 10 assists on the man advantage, and that's probably a big reason why the Jets targeted him on the trade market. Winnipeg's power play ranks 24th in the NHL with a conversion rate of 15.7%, and it's one of the few areas of the team's game that's been lacking this season.

Now, the Jets will have a solid net-front presence on the power play as they fight the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars for first in the Central Division in the second half of the season.