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Montreal Canadiens Top Prospect Watch: Ice Caps Charlie Lindgren

By Kenric Mannette

Mar 31, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Montreal Canadiens goalie Charlie Lindgren (35) looks on from the ice prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Montreal Canadiens goalie Charlie Lindgren (35) looks on from the ice prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Examining the performance of Charlie Lindgren one of the top prospects of the Montreal Canadiens.

During the Montreal Canadiens horrific 2015-16 campaign the Habs made a shrewd acquisition of college free agent goaltender Charlie Lindgren as he signed a two year contract with the Habs. Canadiens General Manager Marc Bergevin was very happy to add Lindgren to their group of prospects. This is what Bergevin said of the signing of Lindgren:

"“We are very happy to have reached an agreement with Charlie Lindgren. Lindgren was in our mind one of the best free agent goaltenders available coming out of the US college level. He made the decision to join the Canadiens organisation and will complete the season with the team. Lindgren is a top goaltender coming out of college, and becomes an excellent prospect for our organisation, bringing some depth at this position.”More from A Winning HabitMontreal Canadiens: Biggest Questions Going Into 2023-24Montreal Canadiens: Quentin Miller’s Poise And Confidence Fuel His GameMontreal Canadiens: Laval Rocket Top Defence Pair Could Be SetMontreal Canadiens: Worst Move Of The Pierre Gauthier EraMontreal Canadiens: Could Casey DeSmith End Up In Colorado?"

Lindgren’s 2015-16 Performance

Lindgren played his college hockey for the St. Cloud State University Huskies in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference of the NCAA. Charlie proved himself as one of the top goaltender prospects in hockey during the 2015-16 season.

Lindgren’s stats were sparkling that season as he appeared in 40 games, and then went on to win 30 of those games. He also boasted a .925 save percentage and a 2.13 goals against average.

After Lindgren was signed he appeared in one game for the Habs last season. Lindgren made 26 saves which led the Canadiens past the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2. As a result, Lindgren was very happy for the opportunity to start the game, as he went on to say:

"”Two weeks ago, I wouldn’t have expected to be here right now. It’s pretty hard to believe. It’s something you dream about when you’re a little kid.”"

Lindgren’s Impressive Play for the Ice Caps

Montreal Canadiens
Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports /

However, Lindgren has went on to impress even further with his play this season, with the St. Johns Ice Caps. In the five games Charlie has appeared in, he has won all five. Charlie’s has an impressive .932 save percentage and a 2.38 goals against average.

Also, Lindgren’s first game for the Ice Caps was against the Providence Bruins. In that game, Charlie made 50 saves on 51 shots and led his team to a 4-1 victory and was spectacular throughout.

His stats are very impressive, but especially when you factor in how the other goalies have preformed for the Ice Caps. None of the other goalies for the Ice Caps have been able to register a win, or have a save percentage above .900. This has made Charlie the clear cut number one goalie in St. Johns.

Charlie Lindgren’s Future

Lindgren is off to a rock solid start this season and the Ice Caps will want to lean on him heavily throughout the year. However, the Canadiens have the best goalie in the NHL in Carey Price. Also the Habs drafted Zach Fucale in the second round in 2013, and even though he hasn’t played well it’s way too early to call Fucale a draft bust yet.

At the moment, the Habs depth chart is loaded in goal. However, the Canadiens possibly could be offered a trade for Lindgren, but Bergevin doesn’t often trade away top prospects as he believes in developing talent. Also, trading Lindgren would leave a huge void in the Ice Caps crease and will definitely hurt the Ice Caps playoff chances.

So it seems that Lindgren will have to wait a while until he sees some NHL action. The only way it seems Lindgren could draw into the Habs lineup is if injury were to strike. Hopefully that doesn’t happen to the Habs, and they don’t have a repeat of last year.

Next: Montreal Canadiens Trade Rumors: Draft Picks Available

Final Thoughts

It’s very clear the the Canadiens have an emerging young talent in goal, and it would be wise for him to continue to develop with the Ice Caps. However, at some point in the distant future the Canadiens will have to decide whether Charlie can earn a job from within the organisation, or be traded elsewhere.

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