Dayton Trades Monahan To Falcons for Three Prospects and Dman...

Monahan  - Traded to Fort Erie 

The whirlwind continues in Dayton, OH this weekend as Center Sean Monahan is the latest player to be traded for assets that Musicmen management hopes will be as successful as their prior rebuilds have been.

The trade, announced earlier Sunday is as follows:

DAY trades S. Monahan to FOR for Mike McLeod-p, Max Jones-p, Alex Nedeljkovic-p & C. Miller...

GM Bill Corfield explains the rationale in his opening remarks to the press at the Soundstage:

"Sean just turned twenty-three years old last Thursday. The executive team and I were having a meeting after our dinner at the Montgomery Inn last night when we began to estimate when the bulk of our top end prospects were likely to arrive in Dayton and contribute to the club in a meaningful way. The consensus was we're a few years away from that time. Even though we moved Alex Barkov on Saturday - we quickly began to kick the idea of moving Monahan out for more high upside prospects. In the end, it was decided we'd listen to offers and if one came back that we felt would make us a better hockey club in the future, we'd make that deal" said Corfield.

"Sean Monahan is a great player and should be even better over the next few years. If he'd been a couple years younger, I don't know if we make that deal."

A look at what Dayton has acquired:

Mike McLeod-C was the 12th overall selection in the 2016 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils. Off the charts skating ability and speed in all zones. At 6'2, 188 lbs., he has a unique combination of size and skill. After scoring more than a point a game in his second year in Mississuga of the OHL, McLeod's off to another strong start this season. After 7 games, McLeod leads the team in goals scored and sits second over in points with 8. Scouts say his on-ice vision is elite.

Max Jones-LW was the 24th pick in the same draft year as McLeod by the Anaheim Ducks. Just 20 years old, Jones already stands 6'3 and 201 lbs. A prototypical power-forward, Jones' upside is an eventual replacement for Corey Perry. While those are big shoes to fill for anyone, Jones might have as good a shot as anyone. After a solid NHL camp with the Ducks, Jones recently began his third season with the London Knights of the OHL. Some poor decision making and penalties have landed Jones on the bench for long stretches at a time. Through 7 games, he has just 3 points. Still, the upside is impressive.

Alex Nedeljkovic-G was the 37th pick of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes. The Cleveland, OH native has had a stellar amateur career in both International and major Juniors play. The third goalie taken in the '14 draft, "Neds" was taken immediately after Vancouver selected Thatcher Damko with the 36th pick. Oozing athleticism has brought comparison to Marc-Andre Fluery. While the 'Canes signed 29 year old Scott Darling via free agency to man the pipes for the next few years, the organization believes Nedeljkovic is the next bona fide number one goalie in the Hurricane's system.

Colin Miller-D just 24 years of age, Miller had value for the Musicmen given their current state of so many blueliners currently on the CCHL injured list. Miller has played in over 100 NHL games over the past two seasons and while not flashy, provide Dayton with a reasonably priced, durable dman over the next few years.


An anonymous CCHL GM says,"Monahan is elite. Period. I'm not sure if I make this deal if I'm Dayton, but on the other hand, look at what they got in return. All three kids are projected by almost everybody to have very solid to above average NHL careers. McLeod should be a star and if Jones matures a bit, he'll be a handful for anyone to deal with. Neds should also be, at worst, an average NHL goaltender, who by the way will find himself in a good situation in a few years as the high-end prospects Carolina has accumulated recently will begin to make their mark. All in all, it has the potential to be a great hockey trade for both Dayton and Fort Erie..."