Team: 2023-24 Montreal Canadiens

Initial Creation Date: Aug. 1, 2023

Published: Aug. 1, 2023

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Here's a reason why Kent Hughes' hand is going to kind of be forced in relation to a kid under much scrutiny and pressure-Cayden Primeau

The question that other teams and Kent might ask themselves...Us Cayden Primeau the next Samuel Montembeault story?

Hear me out:
In 2015 the Florida Panthers selected Sam Montembeault in the 3rd round 77th overall.

He'd spend the next 6 years in the organization, brewing and learning from the man himself Roberto Luongo. After some struggles and other successes, he'd amass 19gs as a Panther. He'd post some very good games as a young 22yo, but consistency and Bob and then the emergence of Spencer Knight(and drafting in the first place) pushed him into no-mans land.

Now, Cayden's journey has been a little different. He was drafted 7th in 2017 as pretty much an afterthought. His USHL stats weren't too promising. However, he exploded in College, winning a Richter and making a name for himself. This would end up hurting him. The expectations this created as well as a lack of a development program would throw him into the spin cycle. So far as a 23yo, he's started in 17 NHL games, 2 less than Monty. His stats leave a ton to be desired, but his AHL stats are fantastic.

The reason for this is he can't yet adjust to both NHL speed of play(exhibited in his sometimes panicky movements which move him out of position, and allow a gaping net.

I believe he can be fixed. With Carey becoming more involved into the organization and him coaching Montembeault, he could be a perfect mentor for Cayden. Kent created a problem for himself signing Jake Allen to that extension, and admitted that Cayden's time was done as a Hab when using 1/3 of his picks on goalies.

I believe we shouldn't give up on Cayden, he's barely gotten the time he needs. It's not that his style of play just works in the AHL, he's just more confident there, and in the position that requires the MOST self confidence in hockey, he should be given some. If not, who knows he could very well become the next Sam Montembeault.

This next year will be Cayden Primeau's toughest. Will he be that 3G that will never really play? Can he bring his play to NHL speeds? And, will a team in need jump on him when he hits waivers?

My vote is on trading Allen, picking up a 3G who can switch in with Primeau(after obviously solving the forward and defense surplus). I truly believe this bit of confidence given to him will help him blossom into a solid goaltender, and better person for it. He's still just 23(24 in 10 days).

Below(1-6) are my targets for that aforementioned vet 3G. (7-8 are potential replacements for both Allen and Primeau) Note that Allen will have more value a quarter of the way into the season at 50% retained for injuries(Quick, Stolarz, or Varly go down, need someone who can put in 20gp as a backup type scenario(That Hughes extension imo is his worst move))

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