Monahan excited to reunite with Gaudreau on Blue Jackets

Sean Monahan is eager to reunite with former teammate Johnny Gaudreau after signing a five-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets this summer.

"I am really looking forward to being teammates with Johnny again," Monahan said, per NHLPA.com's Chris Lomon. "Johnny is motivated to have a big season and be a huge part of the team, and I'm excited to have the opportunity to reignite the chemistry we had for close to a decade.

"He is an amazing teammate, person, and friend. I'm looking forward to these next five years."

Monahan and Gaudreau played together on the Calgary Flames for nine seasons until Gaudreau signed a seven-year pact with Columbus in 2022.

Gaudreau's production has dropped since joining the Blue Jackets. He's managed 74 and 60 points in two campaigns with the club after a career-best 115 in his final season with the Flames.

Columbus has finished 31st and 29th in the league standings since Gaudreau shocked the hockey world by inking a mammoth $68.25-million pact with the club.

Monahan joined the Blue Jackets after a resurgent 59-point campaign split between the Montreal Canadiens and Winnipeg Jets. The 29-year-old had been severely limited by injuries in recent seasons but played a full schedule for the first time since 2016-17.

"I am happy to be back to myself and fully healthy," Monahan said.

Monahan was drafted sixth overall by the Flames in 2013. He's notched 538 points in 764 career games.