A Winning Habit
Fansided

Canadiens: When Will the Habs Solve the Goalie Dilemma

By Ryan Praught

MONTREAL, CANADA - APRIL 06: Cayden Primeau #30 and Sam Montembeault #35 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrate a victory against the Washington Capitals at Centre Bell on April 6, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Washington Capitals 6-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, CANADA - APRIL 06: Cayden Primeau #30 and Sam Montembeault #35 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrate a victory against the Washington Capitals at Centre Bell on April 6, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Washington Capitals 6-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Sep 29, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Cayden Primeau (30) makes a save against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Cayden Primeau (30) makes a save against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /

Cayden Primeau has gotten into just one game so far this season, doing so against NHL leading scorer Jack Hughes and the New Jersey Devils. It went about as expected, with Primeau giving up four in a five-to-two loss. That was two weeks ago. He hasn’t played since.

I understand the Canadiens don’t want to lose Primeau. He’s still young enough at 24 to hold out hope for his development a little longer. But I don’t see how he’s going to develop sitting in the press box. At this rate, he’s on pace to make just seven starts this year. That’s not helping anyone.

Meanwhile, the Laval Rocket are struggling, sitting at 31st in the AHL with a 2-7-1 record. And their goaltending is a mess, with both goalies having SV% hovering around .850, which is atrocious. They could use Primeau, or any help for that matter.

But the Canadiens are firm on the belief that Primeau won’t pass through waivers. But they also won’t give him more starts, having just the one so far. They gotta do something, for Primeau’s sake and Laval’s. Maybe the Canadiens need to consider trading Primeau for someone who can help Laval.

Home/Editorials