“I’ve got to be better”: Monahan returns to Flames lineup after scratches

Sean Monahan is back in the lineup. 

For how lengthy remains to be determined. 

Monahan, who prospects all lively Calgary Flames with 212 aims in 654 online games, will suit up in opposition to the Colorado Avalanche immediately after sitting down out the previous two as a nutritious scratch. 

“I really feel very good. I’m energized to get back again in. I’m searching forward to it,” Monahan mentioned. 

“Obviously you never want to be scratched. You want to be in the lineup encouraging the staff. Put in the function, and I’m thrilled to get back again in tonight.”

“I am enthusiastic to get back again in and looking forward to it.”

Sean Monahan seems forward to tonight’s activity vs. the Avalanche. pic.twitter.com/TrV5HpBWmD

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 29, 2022

Monahan has been considerably less than impactful this season. 

The 6-time 20-aim scorer and three-time 30-goal male has just 8 strikes in 63 game titles this season immediately after running to find the back of the internet 10 occasions in a shortened 50-sport marketing campaign in 2020-21 that finished prematurely with a date under the knife to bear hip surgical procedures. 

He’s returned to a fourth-line purpose that he’s given his full effort, but not so a lot in the way of execution.

“I’ve just acquired to be improved all close to,” Monahan claimed. It comes down, at the conclude of the day, competing and earning a location in the lineup just about every evening.

“It’s unique. You’ve received to modify to distinct conditions. I’ve bought to be improved. Tonight’s going to be a superior start off for me.”

His two-sport stint — his first healthful sitting considering that obtaining some relaxation down the extend in progress of the 2018-19 Stanley Cup Playoffs — probably hasn’t been straightforward for the 27-calendar year-aged to get. 

From all accounts, Monahan has dealt with it in stride. 

“I see an individual who wants to participate in and would like to be element of it, but somebody who is also genuinely supportive of his workforce and is aware of that the very best way they can help their group is by using edge of extra time, further time to practice or time if you are not in the lineup to make improvements to your very own talent set to be able to support the workforce,” Flames assistant coach Cail MacLean reported. 

“That’s what I see from him. That time presented alone and he did not spend any time accomplishing nearly anything but. He received right to perform, and as a end result I feel that is likely to bode nicely for him.”

Calgary’s hoping. 

They need Monahan, who has 22 factors in total and is a crew-worst minus-16, to make strides — if not down the extend then absolutely for any important playoff press.

He’s in level of competition, much too. His location isn’t protected from a mix of depth players, which include recurrent linemates Trevor Lewis and Milan Lucic and newcomer Ryan Carpenter. 

He guarantees not to bitter if it does not go his way individually. 

“You want to be a excellent teammate,” Monahan stated. “When you’re on a winning staff that seems to be upon each individual other as great friends and teammates, which is when you go a lengthy way.

“You generally want to be a crew dude. Which is what I am. Whichever it is, I’m ready to do that.

“I feel I can phase up in a massive way. I know I can set the puck in the net and win major faceoffs and be a major part of the workforce in the dressing space. That’s my purpose.”