NHL Rumors: Elliotte Friedman speculates on Sean Monahan's future with Winnipeg Jets

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman recently shared his thoughts on Sean Monahan's future with the Winnipeg Jets during his "32 Thoughts" segment. Monahan, a pending unrestricted free agent, signed a one-year deal with the Montreal Canadiens last year but was traded to the Jets in exchange for a first-round pick.

According to Friedman, there are indications that the Winnipeg Jets are keen on retaining Monahan's services.

"I think there were a couple of tries over the weekend while making all my calls and hearing what was going on around there," Friedman said. "With all this news happening, there was definitely a sense that Winnipeg wants to keep him (Sean Monahan) and is trying to do so."

Monahan scored 26 goals and 33 assists for 59 points in the regular season. The Jets lost the series 4-1 to the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the playoffs, where he made an assist over five games.

Sean Monahan's end-of-season media availability

At the end-of-season media availability for the Winnipeg Jets, forward Sean Monahan spoke about his experience with the team after being traded from the Canadiens.

When a reporter posed the question:

"Would you describe your time here after the trade and what will the main factors be as you look for your new home whether it's here or elsewhere when you become a free agent this summer?"

Monahan replied:

"No, I think I mean I really enjoyed my time here. I mean it goes by quick, I feel like I've feel like us here for a long time and I mean you look back and it was just a couple months. I mean met some obviously great teammates, it's great organization and like I said I really enjoyed my time here.”

Looking ahead to free agency, Monahan said the biggest factor for him is finding a team that gives him a chance to win.

"I want to give myself a chance to win and this is a spot that definitely wants to win and I mean has the makings of doing that," he said.

With Monahan emphasizing his desire to join a contender, it remains to be seen if the Jets can sell him on their future outlook and bring him back, or if he ultimately decides to sign elsewhere.