Important trade almost settled between the Canadiens and the Flyers earlier this year: it would have changed everything for Kent Hughes

Although Monahan is currently out with an injury, the investment has paid off handsomely as number 91 has been a great asset to the Habs since the beginning of the season and it is likely that the organization will receive excellent trade value should Monahan leave Montreal in the coming weeks.

But the story could have been quite different as Monahan was something of a Plan B for the organization, as reported by Keven Mawn, of Fanadiens.com.

According to tipster Marco D'Amico of Montreal Hockey Now, Kent Hughes had his eyes on Philadelphia Flyers forward James Van Riemsdyk instead.

Like the Flames with Monahan, the Flyers organization was looking to part with his hefty $7 million per season contract. However, Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher was not willing to sacrifice a high draft pick to part with him, unlike his Flames counterpart who gave up a conditional first round pick to the Habs in the Sean Monahan deal.

While it's unclear what Van Riemsdyk might have done with the Habs, the decision to go after Monahan was the right one for the reasons I mentioned earlier and it will be interesting to see what Kent Hughes might be able to get for the services of #91.

One thing is for sure, the failed trade between the CH and the Flyers changed everything (positively) for Montreal. We love Monahan.