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Calgary Flames: Five things to look forward to in 2018-19

By Ramina Shlah

SHENZHEN, CHN - SEPTEMBER 15: Mark Giordano #5 of the Calgary Flames celebrates a goal against the Boston Bruins at the Universiade Sports Center on September 15, 2018 in Shenzhen, China. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
SHENZHEN, CHN - SEPTEMBER 15: Mark Giordano #5 of the Calgary Flames celebrates a goal against the Boston Bruins at the Universiade Sports Center on September 15, 2018 in Shenzhen, China. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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SAN JOSE, CA – SEPTEMBER 27: Calgary Flames center Sean Monahan (23) carries the puck during the San Jose Sharks game versus the Calgary Flames on September 27, 2018, at SAP Center at San Jose in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Matt Cohen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA – SEPTEMBER 27: Calgary Flames center Sean Monahan (23) carries the puck during the San Jose Sharks game versus the Calgary Flames on September 27, 2018, at SAP Center at San Jose in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Matt Cohen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. A healthy Sean Monahan

A healthy Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau duo? I feel like I’m in a dream, somebody pinch me. But don’t, please.

Up until the end of December when Sean Monahan started to deal with wrist injuries, he along with Gaudreau were the ultimate duo. Monahan was on pace to hit his first 40-goal season and Gaudreau was on pace to hit 100 points. While players don’t always stay that highly consistent throughout the entire season, for about two and a half months is pretty impressive.

Last season by November, the line of Gaudreau, Monahan, and Micheal Ferland were the second-highest scoring line combo in the NHL (28g) — after Namestnikov, Stamkos, and Kucherov (34g).

Must Read. Gaudreau and Monahan: Dynamic Duo. light

Of course, that line started to falter with Ferland not being the most consistent top-six winger and Monahan started to deal with wrist injuries in December. So much so that he required wrist-reconstruction surgery. He dealt with it for most of the season, but in the final few weeks when it was evident the Calgary Flames weren’t going to make the playoffs, he decided to take the rest of the season off and required four (FOUR!!!!) surgeries between then and the end of the season.

Monahan even said that it got to a point where he couldn’t even move his wrist anymore and was basically playing with just one hand. Heading into training camp, Monahan mentioned how he hasn’t felt this good in years.

Imagine how lethal a healthy Sean Monahan with Johnny Gaudreau and an actually consistent top-six winger to join them could be? They’ll be giving these other top lines on the top teams a run for their money.

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