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Dans les coulisses

Contract: the Canadiens have begun negotiations with Samuel Montembeault

Are we talking about the Canadiens’ goaltenders this morning?

After all, since the start of the season, the CH goaltenders’ performances have been encouraging, but the fact remains that the guys probably aren’t playing enough for their liking.

In 11 games, Samuel Montembeault and Jake Allen have played five games each. Cayden Primeau played the other duel.

What this means is that no Habs goaltender has played at least half his team’s games. And since injuries aren’t a factor, we can see how special this is.

In fact, Martin St-Louis looks like a guy who’s not comfortable with the idea of managing three goalies.

Only once this season has a goalie played two games in a row. So it’s hard to build on the performance of the previous game, we agree with that.

For a guy like Primeau, prisoner of his contract, the ballot, the transaction market, the need for victories after a difficult week, the state of health of the goaltenders around him and the performances of his two colleagues, life isn’t easy.

As Simon-Olivier Lorange (La Presse) wrote, he may keep his spirits high, but it’s not easy for him. We already knew that, but every day that passes makes it all the heavier.

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The scenario of Monty or Allen being traded to make room for Primeau exists, but let’s just say it’s not the most likely one. After all, Allen may be playing well, but I don’t believe the rumours sending him elsewhere. I really don’t.

After all, I think the CH loves Jake Allen’s veteran presence and if he were to leave, the first thing the Habs would do is try to find a new Jake Allen. #Veteran

Trading Montembeault also doesn’t seem like the most logical scenario at the moment.

After all, even though he’ll be a free agent in 2024, it’s too early to say that management and the player’s clan won’t be able to agree on contract terms to keep him in town.

Why not? Because the negotiations aren’t serious enough to conclude that.

According to Arpon Basu (The Athletic), the Habs’ management has (very briefly) begun negotiations with the goalie’s clan to see if a contract extension is realistic.

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Still according to Basu, it seems that the Canadiens’ goalie, who would have liked to settle the matter this summer, is starting to think about it a little. He’s not thinking about it too much, but still.

The guy’s human: that’s normal.

At the moment, the Canadiens find themselves with Jake Allen, who’d probably like to play more often, Samuel Montembeault, who’s thinking about his contract, and Cayden Primeau, who must be looking for a change of scenery.

Not ideal, you say?

I don’t know to what extent, with four games this week, Primeau will have a chance to play. He came close last week, but the need to get a W was more important.

And finally, Primeau didn’t play all week, he warmed up the bench (so was in uniform)… and the CH lost all three road games. Yikes.

In gusto

– Jaroslav Halak on trial in Carolina.

– Reminder to Toronto.

– More fans in the NCAA than the NHL. Come on.

– Nilton always has a way with words.

– One to watch.