Kent Hughes eyeing veteran goaltender in the off-season
We know that Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens are aiming to acquire another forward via trade, but that's not all.
The GM of the Canadiens will have other needs to fill within his organization, especially in goal.
According to journalist Marc Antoine Godin of Radio-Canada, the Montreal Canadiens will also aim to acquire a veteran goaltender, already known in the league and reliable, to stabilize the position.
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Kent Hughes would be seeking a veteran goaltender for the Laval Rocket, and if needed, for the Montreal Canadiens
With the departure of Jake Allen via trade, the Canadiens' goaltending structure is somewhat weakened.
Of course, there is Samuel Montembeault and Cayden Primeau in the NHL, but there is a certain need with the Laval Rocket.
«The Canadiens would probably like to get their hands on an experienced goaltender capable of supporting Jakub Dobes in the AHL with the Laval Rocket but also able to play games with the Canadiens in the NHL if needed.» - Marco Normandin
At the start of the season, the duo of Dobes and Strauss Mann unfortunately really hurt Jean-François Houle's squad.
Veteran Kasimir Kaskisuo arrived in Laval and really helped, but Kent Hughes needs to find a viable solution, especially if Montembeault or Primeau were to suffer an unfortunate injury.
«The fact of turning to two rookie goaltenders at the start of the season (Jakub Dobes and Strauss Mann) did not serve the Rocket's cause, and it may not be a coincidence that things started to improve when veteran Kasimir Kaskisuo arrived in Laval.
If the Canadiens can hire a veteran goaltender who is both ready to share the task with Dobes in the AHL next season and good enough to help out in Montreal in case of injury, the organization would then kill two birds with one stone.»
- Marc-Antoine Godin
Normandin mentions the name Martin Jones, a name well known among fans and in the National Hockey League, but we can also think of a veteran like Chris Driedger, who has been sensational this season in the AHL for the Seattle Kraken's farm team.
So don't be surprised if Kent Hughes announces the acquisition of a veteran goaltender, it will simply be for this reason.
Driedger, 30 years old, 6 feet 4 inches and 210 pounds, will be free as air this summer.
This season, in 39 AHL games, he has maintained a record of 24-7-7, a goals-against average of 2.26, and a save percentage of 0.917.
In the playoffs, we're talking about a record of 7-1-0, a GAA of 2.22, and a save percentage of 0.929.
In his NHL career, Driedger has played 67 games (GAA of 2.45 and save percentage of 0.917).
Previously on HabsFanatics
| POLL |
30 MAI | 428 ANSWERS Kent Hughes eyeing veteran goaltender in the off-season Which goalie would you sign to help the youngsters in the organization? |
| Martin Jones | 116 | 27.1 % |
| Chris Driedger | 118 | 27.6 % |
| Other | 194 | 45.3 % |
| LIST OF POLLS |
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