Getting Carey Price a backup goalie should be at the top of Montreal Canadiens General Manager Marc Bergevin’s free-agent to-do list. Here are the top five goalies he should pursue in free agency.
It’s no big secret that the Montreal Canadiens have had an issue at backup goalie for far too long. Even though Carey Price is arguably the best goalie in the NHL, relying on a 33-year-old Price to play more than 60 games a season is not only unreasonable but dangerous.
Looking at the team’s goalie depth chart, there are more question marks than there are answers.
To the casual observer, it might seem as if Bergevin is satisfied with his backup goalie options right now, as unproven as they are. The team’s recent signing of KHL netminder Vasili Demchenko, however, would suggest that the GM is weighing his options.
But there needs to be more insurance than a widely unknown KHL goalie. Bergevin must act now before either one of Charlie Lindgren, Cayden Primeau, or Demchenko prove that they aren’t up for the job.
Luckily for him, this year’s free-agent market is a gold mine of goalie talent.
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Considering the team already has Price, any fantasies of signing Braden Holtby, Robin Lehner, or Jacob Markström should be left at the door.
Barring those three, Bergevin should exhaust all options and explore all avenues to pursue some hugely reliable names that have proven themselves as dedicated backup goalies.
Here are the five goalies to backup Price that Bergevin should pursue in free agency.