The Montreal Canadiens have announced they have re-signed goalie Cayden Primeau. The deal is for three years and is worth $2.9 million dollars with an AAV of $850,000. The deal carries through the 2024-25 season.
Cayden Primeau Re-Signs with Habs
The Canadiens have agreed to terms on a three-year, one-way contract extension (2022-23 to 2024-25) with goaltender Cayden Primeau.#GoHabsGo https://t.co/WNc4C9Kpho
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 8, 2022
Primeau was drafted by the Habs in the seventh round of the 2017 NHL draft. The netminder has seen limited NHL action throughout his three-year professional career. The 23-year-old has a 3-10-2 record through 19 NHL games with the Habs. Last season he saw his most action appearing in 12 games. Unfortunately for Primeau, the Habs were not very good and his numbers reflect that. He posted a 1-7-1 record with a 4.62 GAA and an .868 save percentage.
Primeau has spent the majority of his pro career with the Laval Rocket. Last season, in 33 games he posted a 16-12-3 record with a 2.94 GAA and a .909 save percentage. Primeau really took a step forward in the AHL playoffs last year. He was instrumental in the Rocket’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals. He posted a 9-5 record with a 2.17 GAA and a .936 save percentage.
What this Means
While Primeau came to the Canadiens with some level of hype based on his strong performance at Northeastern and the 2019 World Junior Championships. While his pro career has been a bit rocky to start, this deal shows that the team still has plans for Primeau.
With the career of Carey Price very much in question, the Habs need to secure the future of their goaltending position. Primeau is the best goaltending prospect currently in their system, so re-signing him definitely makes sense for the Habs. The Habs also have Jake Allen and Samuel Montembeault under contract but will need to add more depth to the position. With the Habs likely continuing their rebuild don’t expect to see Primeau in the NHL much this season. The team would rather see his development continue in the AHL so expect the Habs to be in the market for another veteran goalie that they can call on in emergency situations.
Goalie Cayden Primeau gets a three-year, one-way deal with Canadiens https://t.co/EakAgAezUL pic.twitter.com/AxFsG5AA85
— Hockey Inside/Out (@HabsIO) September 8, 2022
