Three Canadiens Prospects Who Have An NHL Future After AHL Playoffs
![LAVAL, QC - MAY 12: Goaltender Cayden Primeau #31 of the Laval Rocket. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) LAVAL, QC - MAY 12: Goaltender Cayden Primeau #31 of the Laval Rocket. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/c253ca1cf2ab0b0ad311b09da92c1ec8139ed3b74af84fe9a0b56e4910cd4def.jpg)
Cayden Primeau
Cayden Primeau was also a 7th round pick of the Canadiens, and he proved that he will have an NHL future. The 22 year old goaltender has had his ups and downs in his three year pro career, but his first taste of playoff action at the pro level was a huge success.
Primeau was inconsistent in the regular season and Kevin Poulin stole the starting role away from him late in the season. In fact, Poulin started Game 1 of the playoffs for the Rocket. When he lost, Primeau stepped in for Game 2 and he never looked back.
Cayden Primeau with the larceny to take away a shorthanded goal. pic.twitter.com/PkayQJy4sW
— Scott Matla (@scottmatla) June 8, 2022
The Rocket were often outplayed in games, but Primeau was the sole difference between victory and defeat on a number of occasions. He certainly played the best hockey of his pro career in this postseason and it stretched on for weeks.
Primeau est en 🔥
— Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) June 9, 2022
Prime is on 🔥#GoRocket pic.twitter.com/SW3rxcRv6T
The Thunderbirds were clearly the better team on the ice on a nightly basis in the conference final, but they were frustrated by Primeau in every game. He faced an average of 40 shots per game in the series, and posted a .935 save percentage. Over the course of the postseason, Primeau played 14 games and had a 2.17 GAA and a .936 SV%.
Quel arrêt de Primeau en fin de 3e!
— Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) June 11, 2022
What a save by Primeau late in the 3rd!#GoRocket pic.twitter.com/m0kdNz4l7g
Primeau was pushed into duty at the NHL level this season and it didn’t go well. He was not quite ready for the role and playing behind a terrible and unorganized team. His numbers were unflattering, and many detractors appeared to question his ability at the highest level.
While questions were warranted in February, Primeau has shown each of his three pro seasons that when he plays a lot, he plays his best. Never was he better than in the playoffs and he was able to prove that he definitely has an NHL future for the Canadiens.
Want your voice heard? Join the A Winning Habit team!
How Could The Canadiens Move Up In The Draft. light. Related Story