Montreal Canadiens: Top 10 prospects entering the 2018 season
The Montreal Canadiens are a team in desperate need of more help. At the blueline and down the middle, the Canadiens need a youth movement. Luckily, these ten prospects exist for the Canadiens.
The Montreal Canadiens are a team of history, one of the greatest franchises in sports based on success. 23 Stanley Cups prove that. The Canadiens haven’t won the title since 1993, however, and don’t look like they’re winning one anytime soon. For that reason, the team needs to invest in their youth.
That’s why these ten prospects could be so important. Whether it’s down the middle, at the blueline, or on the wings, the Canadiens have talented prospects. These prospects are ranked on three (equal) factors: ceiling, NHL readiness, and the likelihood the prospect plays with the Montreal Canadiens in the near future. To qualify, a prospect must not have played 25 NHL games, so no more Charles Hudon.
Let’s start with the goaltenders.
1. Cayden Primeau [19] (7-199, 2017)
Stats (Northeastern University, NCAA): 34 games played, 1.92 goals against average, .931 save percentage, 4 shutouts.
Cayden Primeau is an excellent goaltending prospect, and while the Montreal Canadiens are committed long-term to Carey Price, having a goaltender prospect like Primeau in the system is just a good thing. He likely won’t make the professional transition quite yet, and with other goaltenders in the AHL this season, there’s no rush. Keeping him in the NCAA could be a good thing, especially with the level of competition now at the collegiate level.
He’s got a high ceiling as a potential NHL starter, but the road to him actually being in the NHL could be long.
Primeau was tied for sixth in save percentage and was seventh in goals-against average in the NCAA this past season. He helped Northeastern University to a two seed in the Frozen Four tournament, though the team was beaten in the first round by the Final Four team Michigan. Primeau also had four shutouts in 34 games played, which shows excellent potential at the professional level.
He’s got a high ceiling as a potential NHL starter, but the road to him actually being in the NHL could be long. He’s not likely to play consistently with the Canadiens in the near future, though he has a better chance in the further-off future.
2. CharlieLindgren [24] (UDFA)
Stats (Laval Rocket, AHL): 37 gp, 3.39 GAA, .886 SV%, 2 SO; 14 gp, 3.03 GAA, .908 SV%, 2 SO. Montreal Canadiens, NHL
He still has potential, but it’s getting less and less likely that Charlie Lindgren will claim a role with the Montreal Canadiens. He played 14 games with the Canadiens when Price was injured this past season, but did so as a backup, playing behind Antti Niemi (who also got injured). He had decent stats, though not overly impressive, in the NHL but was less successful in the AHL. Not terrific.
He’s still got NHL potential and is still young enough to fulfill that potential.
Lindgren could be a useful piece in a trade, and with the Canadiens holding on to Antti Niemi for the near future, that basically puts to rest his position in the Canadiens’ battery. He’s a decent third goaltender, but the Canadiens need something more than that, and trading Lindgren could help them get it. If they can get a good center prospect for Lindgren, why not do it?
He’s still got NHL potential and is still young enough to fulfill that potential. He’s more NHL ready than other third-string goaltenders in the league, and having played extended time in the NHL likely only helps him. That makes him appealing to other teams, even if it doesn’t appeal to the Canadiens.