Montreal Canadiens: Can Charlie Lindgren backup Carey Price full time?

Many NHL teams have tried to have what the Boston Bruins have: two goaltenders who give them an opportunity every night. Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak were a dynamic duo with the latter starting in 37 and 29 games each year he spent signed in Boston. The coaching staff trusted Halak to get the team wins, and it allowed Rask to save his energy for deep playoff runs.

Take what he did last season. If the Bruins wound up winning the Stanley Cup, Rask definitely would’ve gotten the Conn Smythe for his performance. He was a monster in net, and that wouldn’t have been possible if he was forced to play 65+ games in the regular season.

It also goes beyond keeping Price healthy for a playoff run. The Montreal Canadiens also don’t want their season to tank if Price goes down in the regular season. You need someone in net who can shoulder the burden in case that happens.

Is Charlie Lindgren the answer? Or better yet, can Charlie Lindgren be the answer?

Again, he has enough in his resume to be put into a position to fight for a spot at training camp, and with a year remaining on his deal, there’s no better time to show off skills worth investing in.

Lindgren being in the NHL full-time would also allow the tandem of Primeau and Michael McNiven (assuming he’s extended) to flourish in Laval. Primeau is going to be the number one guy for the Rocket, but McNiven was placed in an awkward spot after Kinkaid was sent down to the minors. Having those two as a tandem to work off each other will go a long way for the Rocket, especially if they hope to contend for a spot.

The ball is in Lindgren’s court to prove he can do it. I don’t doubt the Montreal Canadiens sign another body or at least bring someone in on PTO just in case, but it may be Lindgren’s time here.