Montreal Canadiens Rumour: Oilers Eyeing Habs Goalies
The Montreal Canadiens were on Hockey Night In Canada last night, and were on the losing end in their game with the Boston Bruins.
They fell behind quickly as they were completely outplayed in the first period and allowed a pair of goals on 19 shots. It was 4-1 by the end of the second period and with the Bruins carrying play and getting the bulk of the scoring chances, no one would have blamed you if you turned the channel at that time.
The Canadiens have been kind of hard to watch the past few games, as their defensive structure seems to have crumbled and they can’t match their opponent’s ability to create scoring chances.
Though they haven’t been the easiest team to watch lately, apparently one western conference team is keeping a close eye on the Canadiens right now. More specifically, the Edmonton Oilers are in the hunt for a goaltender and have been scouting the Canadiens.
This makes sense, as the Canadiens are one of the few teams around the league to be carrying three goalies at this time. Cayden Primeau has made three starts while Jake Allen and Sam Montembeault get the bulk of the time in goal.
Elliotte Friedman was on the Hockey Night In Canada broadcast on Sportsnet and he commented during the second intermission that the Oilers have been keeping an eye on all three Canadiens goalies recently.
He went on to mention he does not think anything is imminent, but that the Oilers are doing their due diligence and don’t want to make a panic move.
While it makes sense that teams don’t want to make a panic move, the Oilers need to do something. Stuart Skinner allowed five goals again yesterday and Jack Campbell is in the minors after a dreadful start. There are not many teams willing to move a goalie this early in the season, so the Oilers and Canadiens make sensible trade partners.
It will be interesting to see which of the three goalies the Oilers target. Allen would make sense as a veteran who could help calm things down in a difficult situation. He is also the most expensive by a lot.
Montembeault makes a lot of sense for the Oilers as well but rumours are swirling that the Canadiens are on the verge of re-signing him. Primeau makes the least sense for Edmonton as they need someone with more of a track record that they can trust.
The Canadiens may need to take some money back in the form of Warren Foegele or Ryan McLeod if Allen is the Oilers target. Their options are limited as both Campbell and Skinner have a .873 SV% on the season and the Oilers are built to win now.
Montembeault makes sense from a cap perspective and Allen makes a lot of sense as a steady veteran. We will have to wait and see what comes of the Oilers interest in Habs goalies.
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