The reconstruction The Montreal Canadiens have started the season stronger than predicted. They had a 5-4-2 record entering this week, putting them in contention for an Eastern Conference wild-card place. Nonetheless, there is suspicion that GM Kent Hughes is preparing an early-season trade.
The Canadiens have three goaltenders on their roster: Jake Allen, Sam Montembeault, and Cayden Primeau. They can’t risk sending Primeau to their AHL affiliate in Laval because he’ll be claimed off waivers by another team. TSN’s Darren Dreger said on Thursday that a decision could be made that involves dealing one of them. There was considerable speculation last month linking Primeau, 24, to the San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, and Philadelphia Flyers, but nothing came of it.
Given the high number of teams with minimal salary-cap room at this point in the season, Hughes will find it difficult to make an early-season deal. Allen’s $3.85 million yearly average value through 2024-25 should keep him in Montreal for the rest of the season. Montembeault ($1 million for this season) and Primeau ($890,000 per year through 2024-25) would be far more accessible. Nonetheless, Hughes may be forced to wait until later in the season when interested teams have amassed enough cap room to add players.
Last week, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli noted that Sean Monahan was off to a solid start this season. The 29-year-old center is on a one-year contract with a $1.985 million cap hit and no no-trade protection. Seravalli believes he’ll be a valuable trade chip for the Canadiens by the March 8 trade deadline if he stays healthy and productive.
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