Monahan feels 'like a new man' after offseason surgeries

Following wrist, groin, and two hernia surgeries this offseason, Calgary Flames pivot Sean Monahan is feeling good as the NHL season inches closer.

"I feel like a new man right now," Monahan told Aaron Vickers of NHL.com. "I'm more flexible, more mobile, meaner and stronger, so I think it's a good feeling to be healthy."

With the Flames out of the playoff picture late last season, Monahan was shut down after 74 games to get an early start on his recovery. Despite limited appearances, the 23-year-old matched his career best with 31 goals and set a new personal points benchmark in 2017-18.

Monahan's health will be paramount to the new-look Flames as they seek a return to the postseason in 2018-19. Over the offseason, Calgary brought in Bill Peters as its new head coach, orchestrated a blockbuster that sent out Dougie Hamilton for Noah Hanifin, and signed perennial 20-goal sniper James Neal, who could find his way onto Monahan's line alongside Johnny Gaudreau.