Monahan: 'I've got a lot to prove'

MONTREAL -- Sean Monahan is hoping that his injury woes are finally behind him.

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The 27-year-old forward, who was acquired from the Flames on Thursday, has been rehabbing from season-ending labrum surgery on his right hip that forced him to shut things down in early April.
Monahan underwent the same procedure on his left hip last spring, too.
After registering just 28 points and 23 points, respectively, over the last two campaigns while battling health issues, the nine-year NHL veteran is hungry to play to his potential again at full capacity.
"I've got a lot to prove, and I think the biggest thing is I want to prove it to myself. I know I'm a great player. It's been a rocky road, so I've been working really hard this summer," said Monahan. "On the ice, I feel like myself again and I'm enjoying the game. When you're injured with those kinds of injuries that I've had, it takes a toll on you mentally, and to feel good again and love being on the ice and getting out there and having fun, pushing yourself, it's a good feeling because it's been a while. It's been a long road coming."

Fortunately, Monahan appears to be trending in the right direction rehab-wise.
The Brampton, ON native is currently skating four times per week, which is obviously a good sign.
Will he suit up for the season opener on October 12 against the Maple Leafs, though? That remains to be seen.
"I don't really want to have a target date, but my goal is to show up to camp and be ready to go from Day 1. That's my target. But if there's things that I'm feeling or lingering, I just don't want to have any setbacks," explained Monahan. "I've lived that. I've done that many times and just played with it, so I think I'm going to try and be 100 percent healthy and feel good mentally and come in and have a great season for the Montreal Canadiens."
The three-time 30-goal scorer is joining a squad that already features several familiar faces.
That should make adapting to his new surroundings rather easy.
"I played with Paul Byron for a couple of years in Calgary, and I used to actually drive him around quite a bit. And Jake Evans, I train with him every day, so I see Jake basically every day in the summer," mentioned Monahan. "I've met Brendan Gallagher a few times, too, and basically the whole team has reached out now. They seem like an awesome group."

Admittedly, being traded from the only NHL home he had ever known left Monahan with a "mix of emotions."
After being selected sixth overall in 2013, he appeared in 656 regular-season games for the Flames and ultimately ranked in the Top 10 in franchise history in several categories, including games played (9th), goals (8th) and game-winning goals (3rd).
This is just the nature of the business, of course.
"I was there for a long time. It becomes your second home," said Monahan. "But, it's time to turn the chapter. I'm looking for a fresh start. I'm healthy again. I feel great and I'm excited to play the game again. To fall back in love with the game and feel good about yourself, it's a huge change. I'm looking forward to getting out there, getting to know the guys, having fun, working hard together, and trying to have a great season."