Ranking the best center options in free agency

1.) The Golden Knights get a boost from Sean Monahan

Sean Monahan was one of the first pending free agents highlighted on the site. The Winnipeg Jets center scored 26 goals and 33 assists this season, providing an offensive bite to the team. He's proven himself to be valuable to any team seeking depth at a reasonable price. That's where the Vegas Golden Knights come in, for they're limited in salary cap space and forward depth.

While Monahan does provide solid production for any team, there are some concerns with bringing him on board. The native of Brampton, Ontario, tends to go on cold streaks, where he'll go a month without scoring. Such inconsistency can hurt the team, especially when they have numerous players injured. That's what happened this season, where players like William Karlsson and Jack Eichel were out of commission.

On that note, Sean Monahan has dealt with numerous injuries himself. In 2022-23, he only played 25 games for the Montreal Canadiens, dealing with a groin injury. Plus, getting a "Golden Misfit" back will be a top priority, which could soak up any money for him. While these problems are red flags, it shouldn't deter Kelly McCrimmon from exploring a potential deal with the center. That's especially true with him taking on a smaller role.