It’s been a long time since the Montreal Canadiens have had uncertainty between the pipes as their franchise goaltender Carey Price has been a staple in the net for the better part of two decades. However, general manager Kent Hughes recently revealed that Price would probably miss the entire season with a knee injury which leads many to believe this could be the end of Price’s career. If this is indeed the end of the road for Carey Price, this leaves a gaping hole in the net for the Habs and many question marks for the future of the team between the pipes. The news came after Price returned for a handful of games at the end of last season.
Martin St-Louis confirme que Carey Price effectuera un retour au jeu contre les Islanders ce soir.
Martin St-Louis confirms that Carey Price will return to face the Islanders tonight.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/ww4lyJUiUX
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 15, 2022
Potential Montreal Canadiens Goalies Solutions
Heading into the upcoming 2022-23 season the Canadiens (barring any moves) will be starting with a less than stellar goaltender tandem of Jake Allen and newly resigned Samuel Montembeault. Jake Allen found himself in plenty of trade rumours this offseason before the announcement of Price’s injury, but after the news, a Jake Allen trade would be more likely to occur at the deadline. With the Canadiens most likely not pushing for a playoff spot this year, Kent Hughes could very well decide to just ride out this tandem for the better portion of the season and increase the Habs’ chances of landing the number one pick and projected future superstar Connor Bedard. While the Habs may settle for this goaltender duo in the short term, the question of what they will do for the future of the goalie position remains.
In the System
The Canadiens’ prospect pool is one of the deepest in the league but if we were to pinpoint an area of weakness it would certainly be in goal. The best goalie prospect in the system would currently be 23-year-old Cayden Primeau, who was once one of the most touted prospects in the league at his position. Primeau has had some minor league success with the AHL’s Laval Rocket but has left much to be desired in his short stints with the big club, which leaves many questioning whether he can be the Habs’ goalie of the future. The Canadiens have some other solid prospects in the system like Jakub Dobes, and Frederik Dichow, but neither of the two appears to be close to the NHL yet.
Free Agency
If we’re being more realistic, the Canadiens should look ahead to the 2023 crop of free agent netminders that are available such as Tristan Jarry, Cam Talbot, and Frederik Andersen who all are capable starters with some good years left in the tank.
The Canadiens’ future between the pipes is uncertain, to say the least, and while Allen and Montembeault can fill the hole in the short term, the Canadiens need to find a long-term solution to their goaltender problem. If a youngster like Cayden Primeau can’t find his footing in the NHL sooner rather than later, the habs will have to look ahead to free agency to address their issue, unless Kent Hughes has a few moves up his sleeve.
