The Montreal Canadiens have just been linked to the New Jersey Devils for a very specific trade involving Montembeault or DeSmith
With the recent arrival of Casey DeSmith with the Montreal Canadiens, the organization has a very large pool of goaltenders. So much so that many believe Kent Hughes is working to trade one.
The radio silence since the transaction, which is over four days old, from Casey DeSmith and especially from Kent Hughes suggests that the newcomer will only be passing through town. However, knowing the GM of the CH, it would not be surprising if he were cooking up another transaction from left field, involving another goalie from the organization.
No matter who leaves the CH, you'll have to keep an eye on the New Jersey Devils, who according to Alex Chauvancy of The Hockey Writer, could be an excellent dance partner for the CH.
The Devils, who have been at the top of the rumors to acquire Connor Hellebuyck, might well look to add another goaltender to their ranks. In this way, they could start the season of last playoffs' hero, Akira Schmid, with the Utica Comets in the AHL. This is, according to Frank Seravalli, what the Devils would like to do.
Last season, it was Vitek Vanicek who was most often in front of the red devils' cage. He played in 52 games, compiling a record of 33-11-4, a goals-against average of 2.45, and a save percentage of 0.911. With one year left on his contract, he could still be the club's number 1. Schmid, who is only 23, could continue his progress in the AHL as the starting goalie if the organization manages to find another goalie.
In this view of things, it would not be surprising if the Devils' GM, Tom Fitzgerald, contacts his counterpart in Montreal. There is certainly something to be done with one of the CH's many goaltenders as Samuel Montembeault, Jake Allen, Casey DeSmith, and Cayden Primeau are all of NHL caliber, or almost. All that remains is to know who will be sacrificed by Hughes!
As Chauvancy of The Hockey Writer points out, DeSmith is the most logical candidate for the Devils if Montembeault is not available. It's not the upgrade they were hoping for at the beginning of the offseason [Hellebuyck], but he's a slightly above-average league goaltender, and so his contract makes a lot of sense.
He believes that Samuel Montembeault would be the number one target, but Casey DeSmith would also be good for them.
| POLL | ||
Would you trade Casey DeSmith for a 3rd round pick who's more ready, or Sam Montembeault for a 1st round pick? | ||
| Montembeault | 517 | 36.4 % |
| DeSmith | 483 | 34 % |
| None of the two | 265 | 18.7 % |
| They are not worth that | 155 | 10.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
