Montreal Canadiens Signing Keith Kinkaid Means Another Goaltender Must Leave

The Montreal Canadiens signed goaltender Keith Kinkaid to a one year deal yesterday. They now have their NHL tandem set, but will have to move out a contract as they have too many AHL options.

The Montreal Canadiens signed Keith Kinkaid to a one year contract with a cap hit of $1.75 million. He will step in to be Carey Price‘s backup next season. This gives the Habs a pair of goaltenders for their NHL team, but will leave a crowded crease in Laval.

The Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League already had Michael McNiven, Charlie Lindgren and Connor Lacouvee returning next season. It was possible Lindgren would be the backup in Montreal, but after an underwhelming season, the Canadiens sought out an upgrade in free agency.

Joining McNiven, Lacouvee and Lindgren in Laval will be Cayden Primeau who is one of the top goaltending prospects in the world. Primeau won the Mike Richter Trophy as the best goaltender in NCAA hockey last season and was exceptional for the United States at the World Juniors.

It is likely that Primeau will get most of the starts for the Rocket next season, but who is going to be sticking around to play with him?

Lindgren is 25 years old and it was hoped he would take over the backup role next season. He is entering the second year of a three year contract that comes with a $750,000 cap hit. He posted a 2.94 GAA with a .884 SV% in 33 games with the Rocket last season, so it was deemed necessary to bring someone else in to take on the backup role with the Habs.

McNiven played the next most games for the Rocket. He suited up for 30 games and posted slightly better numbers than Lindgren. He had a 2.52 GAA and a .902 SV%. Decent numbers, but at just 21 years of age, it would be wise to allow him more time to develop before giving him a shot with the Canadiens.

Lacouvee arrived in Laval on a tryout midseason. He put up the best numbers of any of the three goaltenders in Laval. His 2.49 GAA and .913 SV% were solid on a non-playoff team but he did it in just 14 games. The 25 year old was a rookie pro after graduating from Minnesota State University, so it’s a little early to give him an NHL job.

Of the four aforementioned goaltenders in the Habs system, Primeau is the real prize. He should get the bulk of starts for the Rocket next season. The AHL plays a very weekend-heavy schedule so teams need a solid tandem when they are often playing three games in three or four nights.

The best option for the Rocket next season for the number two role is Michael McNiven. He’s four years younger than Lindgren and Lacouvee and has more potential to become an NHL goaltender than either of the 25 year olds.

Lacouvee, having just one year of pro experience and splitting it between the ECHL and AHL, could be headed to the ECHL to start the season. If injuries or trades occur, he would be a solid option to come up and provide depth and even suit up for a few Rocket contests.

It appears that Lindgren’s time may be up with the Montreal Canadiens organization. There was a lot of hope he would become an NHL option when he signed a three-year extension last summer. However, his ineffective play this season, combined with Primeau turning pro early and Kinkaid joining the team, likely spells the end of Lindgren’s tenure in Montreal.

Look for him to be dealt this summer to a team looking for a veteran option in the AHL who could be called up to backup in case of injuries.