Five 2024 Free Agent Forwards Nashville Predators should target on July 1

Sean Monahan

Monahan, like Lindholm, is an interesting case, as he is another center who by all accounts, is nowhere near the same as he was at his best. Ironically, both have played much of their careers for the Calgary Flames, and early on, it looked like Monahan was going to be a legitimate franchise cornerstone for them.

But after the 2018-19 season, he started to fall off, getting progressively worse until he was traded along with a 1st round pick to the Montreal Canadiens in the 2022 offseason. It seemed like it was a hail mary to revive a doomed career, but maybe the change of scenery was just what he needed.

He had a productive start to the 2022-23 season, and although that was cut short due to injury, he picked up right where he left off this past season. The acquisition went so well for the Canadiens that they flipped him at the 2024 All Star break for a 1st round pick, and he finished the season with 26 goals and 33 assists in 83 games.

Monahan had a complete turnaround from his slump in Calgary, as he finally returned to being a top six caliber forward and found his strengths as a player once again.

Like most on this list, he has several qualities that make him a fit for Brunette's system, as he can pass and shoot around the net front and slot, and is adept and quick when needed in transition. He is not a major factor in the physical game, but he is certainly not inadequate in that area, and that is just fine for what he would be expected to bring.

It is advantageous for his sake that he got his legs back under him as he hits free agency, but teams are still unlikely to give him anything more than a bridge deal at this point. This was the first season in quite some time that he has been a consistent producer, which almost never justifies receiving a contract with major money and term.

But of course, a player who has the potential and will not cost much is perfect for a team like the Predators, and Monahan is 29 years old, so it makes a lot of sense. And with him seemingly back on the upswing, it is plenty plausible that he could keep it going, which would give the Predators a huge upgrade at the center position.