Start next season with three goalkeepers?

Right now, we know that the Canadiens are looking for a goaltender of the future. After all, even if there are reasons to believe that Samuel Montembeault or Cayden Primeau can play that role, there are still doubts. But that’s for the medium/long term. In the short term, we need to know who will be defending the CH cage in 2023-2024. Samuel Montembeault (one year), Jake Allen (two years) and Cayden Primeau (two years) all have contracts in their pockets that prevent them from reporting to the Laval Rocket next year – without going through the ballot.Montembeault (World Championship) and Primeau (Rocket) still have a chance to prove themselves a little this year, but the Habs have a good idea of what the guys can give them.So what to do? That’s the question on the table right now. According toEric Engels, it wouldn’t be surprising to think that the Habs could simply start next season with three goalies in the line-up.

This scenario could play out if the Habs don’t manage to trade one of the three this summer. Because the Habs don’t like to see their players traded for less than they’re worth, this is a scenario that could play out for the Habs, indeed.

There are two potential problems with such an idea. After all, I’m sure the CH, which will be looking to add a young goalie to its roster this summer, would rather have just two guys up top in the fall.The first is playing time. Every night, one of the three goalies would be in the stands and the masked men wouldn’t play often enough, which isn’t desirable. I think Primeau would lose out.The other problem? After all, if three of the 23 roster spots are taken by goalies, that would leave only 20 spots for skaters. And since there’s already a surplus of forwards and defensemen…

It’s hard to predict, right now, the state of the goaltending market this summer. Will it be fruitful? Will Primeau and Allen be in demand if the CH makes them available?Because no, I don’t think Sam Montembeault is in the shop window.

In Brief

– Enjoy.

– Interesting read.

– News from the Rocket.

– Well done.

– His opinion is worth what it’s worth.

– Hum.