After a two-game stint with the Montreal Canadiens where he went 1-1-0, 20-year-old netminder Cayden Primeau is being sent back to the AHL, for now at least. The Habs announced Saturday that Primeau will return to Laval, while fellow goaltender Charlie Lindgren has been called up to the NHL to serve as backup to Carey Price.
Primeau has looked solid in his first two career starts in the NHL, recording a GAA of 2.52 and a .931 save percentage. For anyone who might see this as a demotion, TSN's Pierre LeBrun explains why the move was made.
"No back-to-back games for the Habs on their four-game road trip before the holiday break (at Van, Cgy, Edm, Wpg) so my guess is Montreal wants Primeau to play games in Laval and not sit around at NHL level not playing. His development is the priority."
That makes perfect sense. For Primeau to develop into the goaltender the team believes he can be there's not much point in having him ride the pine in Montreal. Better to get games under his belt in Laval. Primeau is still in his first year of pro hockey, playing 12 games in the AHL before getting the call up to Montreal after the demotion of Keith Kinkaid. Before this, his highest level of hockey would have been NCAA and the World Juniors, playing for Team USA.
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