Montreal Canadiens started the new campaign with three goalies on their roster but the makeup may not exactly be the same by the time the trade deadline has been and gone. There was always a determination to readjust the roster in this area, and the determination is still there.
The three goalies currently part of the Canadiens roster are Jake Allen, Sam Montembeault, and Cayden Primeau. General manager Kent Hughes hasn’t been shy about his desire to move one of them out in some way, shape, or form before the trade deadline, and it looks likely he has one of the trio in mind specifically.
Every goalie has their ups and downs across a season. It’s par for the course. But the teams that have a goalie who has more ups than downs and has that real consistency are the ones that usually do well, which is evidenced by the hockey betting markets online.
Hughes and the Canadiens have been attempting to change the makeup of their goalkeeping department for a while. Now that the season is underway, you could say that deciding on which goalie specifically has become easier. Of the three, Allen, a veteran, has performed the worst, and now could be the time for him to move on.
You would think, based on Allen’s performances and his status as a veteran, that the Canadiens will feel they should move forward with Montembeault and Primeau as it makes sense to do so. Allen is six years older than the former and nine years older than the latter.
Contractually, Allen has one more year left before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Montembeault is contracted until 2027, and Priemau can move as a restricted free agent at the end of next season.
The Canadiens are trying to build something positive and be in a position further down the line where they can compete, and trading Montembeault would set them back on that path. They may also find letting Primeau go at such an early stage in his career that it’s a decision that will haunt them in the future.
Interestingly, it’s believed that General Manager Hughes has shopped around Allen to the teams that require a goalie. It’s also thought this has been an ongoing situation, according to speculation, but nothing in terms of interest has materialised. And that could be where the frustration currently lies.
Colorado Avalanche are believed to be in the market for a goalie. While there’s no suggestion of talks recently, there have been discussions previously, with their situation being one that could force their hand into doing some business.
The problem for the Avalanche right now is they can only put their trust in one goalie on their roster – Alexandar Georgiev. They have the room where their salary cap is concerned; they have the vacancy for a goalie and the need for one, too. So, seeing Allen head there in the coming weeks wouldn’t be a surprise.