Vasili Demchenko doesn’t solve goaltending for the Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens hit the European market signing Vasili Demchenko, but that doesn’t mean their goaltending issues are solved.

The Montreal Canadiens have a goaltending problem. This isn’t to say that Carey Price is horrible, however, the current state of the NHL has emphasized one thing: the backup matters.

Whether it comes to racking up points or ensuring the number one isn’t fatigued, a reliable back up has been the difference for Stanley Cup contending teams. The Boston Bruins have been at the top of this front, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been at the bottom, while the Edmonton Oilers have gone back and forth. That said, the Habs are one of those teams without a clear answer or name to support Price.

The last two backup options for the Habs haven’t been as strong as they hoped. Keith Kinkaid was a pair of wishful finger crosses who saw his stock fall after a solid 2017-18 campaign. Antti Niemi was a bowl of magic waiver beans that worked out well for the 2017-18 season and not so much for the season after.

After Al Montoya, the Canadiens have been grasping for straws trying to fill the hole, and it’s even seen Charlie Lindgren step in here and there. Now we have Vasili Demchenko.

The 26-year-old had some stints playing a lot of games in the KHL while others saw him back up others. Demchenko’s numbers instil some level of confidence, as does the possibility of him becoming the next Ilya Samsonov or Igor Shesterkin, but similarly to Kinkaid and Niemi, it’s a wishing game.

The Montreal Canadiens still do not have a for-sure option behind Carey Price, and that’s a problem. The team will now head into another training camp, hoping the player they have behind Price is good enough to keep the team afloat. Keep in mind, it’s gone beyond back-to-backs at this point. The Habs need someone to play, say the off Tuesday night game, so Price isn’t overworked, especially if they end up in the playoffs.

Demchenko has potential, but that could be a lot to ask of someone playing for the first time on a smaller ice surface – meaning less time to react – against more skilled shots.

Lindgren is another goaltender that hasn’t instilled much confidence in his group of stints as the backup. Perhaps he turns things around ahead of next season (or this season depending on when the NHL restarts) and gives the Habs a reliable option.

Some may saw Cayden Primeau can do it as he put up a .931 in two games with the team this year, but I feel his place is with the Laval Rocket for now. Primeau is the number one, and getting him playing time is key for his development. And then there’s Michael McNiven, who was called up though hasn’t had a single NHL game.

Goaltending behind Carey Price is a bucket-full of what-ifs. That’s a problem.

Riding with this bucket to see what comes out of training camp is one avenue. The Montreal Canadiens could also choose to hit the open market. Free Agency is going to be different, and it will likely see player salaries decrease in the wake of a flat cap. However, the Habs are in a position to still offer decent deals as they’re not up against the ceiling, and there are names out there.

Is Vasili Demchenko the guy? Will he be pushed down to the minors with Charlie Lindgren getting the job? Or will the Montreal Canadiens go out and acquire someone else to backup Price? A number of questions for Marc Bergevin to solve.