Oct 18: The Canadiens have now swapped them back, recalling Schueneman and sending Primeau to the AHL.
Oct 17: The Montreal Canadiens won’t have Jake Allen available for tonight’s game as he is away from the team on parental leave, meaning it’s Sam Montembeault’s net against the Pittsburgh Penguins. His backup will be Cayden Primeau, recalled from the minor leagues today. Corey Schueneman has been sent down to make room.
Montembeault allowed three goals on 29 shots in his first appearance of the season on Saturday night, losing to the Washington Capitals in the process. The 25-year-old netminder appeared 38 times for the Canadiens last season and is still looking for his first season with a save percentage over .900. He’s at .892 for his career, not quite what Montreal is looking for as Martin St. Louis and the rest of the squad tries to remain competitive.
In fact, Allen’s absence will shine a light on the position for the Canadiens, which remains quite thin with Carey Price out due to injury. Montembeault’s .892 is actually higher than Primeau’s .874 to this point in the NHL, though the latter’s is in just 18 appearances. The young netminder hasn’t been able to quite replicate the dominance he had at Northeastern, and was shelled for six goals on 38 shots in his AHL debut this season.
Primeau represents the only other goaltender in the organization signed to an NHL contract, meaning if someone suffers an injury, the team will have to scramble to find another option.
“As the team looks to stay competitive”
Yeah right – they want Bedard.
Yotes will be the worst but the Habs will get the top pick from Gary…
A couple games into the regular season and your paranoia is already at peak offseason level. Well done!