I think guys like Corban Knight and, to a lesser extent, Max Reinhart could be X factors in all this. If Knight has a camp and shows that he has what it takes to stick with the NHL club, it could make a decision to send Monahan back to junior a lot easier, if there is some teetering going on. Reinhart and Monahan aren't really competing for the same spots to the extent that Knight and Monahan are, but if Reinhart has a good camp, it serves to solidify the center depth for this year which could influence the Monahan decision as well.
If the Flames are comfortable with going with Stajan, Backlund, Knight and Reinhart as their 4 centers, with guys like Byron, Granlund being callup options, and Galliardi and Cammilleri being options at center in a pinch, it could leave the management and coaching staff breathing easier about doing without him for the year.
That of course, depends on Monahan's performance relative to all those guys mentioned above, as well as management's development philosophy.
EDIT: Noticed the post above mine revolves around the same points.
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