November 4, 2023 | 10:59pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

HABS MAY SOON ADDRESS GOALTENDING CHALLENGE

Jake Allen, goaltender

The Montreal Canadiens know they aren’t in the most ideal of situations with three goaltenders on the roster, but the team continues to push through the challenges of sharing the net for the time being.

The Habs are monitoring the rest of the NHL to see what potential opportunities may arise that could result in moving one of Jake Allen, Sam Montembeault or Cayden Primeau.

Prior to the start of the season, Canadiens Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Jeff Gorton told TSN690 in Montreal that they “just need some more time to figure it out” and the plan is to “let it play itself out, a little bit.”

Through 11 games this season, Allen and Montembeault have each started five games, while Primeau has started one. For Primeau, especially, is it not a perfect scenario.

With some teams struggling and the overall desire to solve their three-headed netminding monster, Canadiens GM Kent Hughes could escalate his search in the trade market to find a suitor in the coming weeks.

Allen has another year left on his contract and has a seven-team no-trade list as part of his deal. Primeau is signed through 2024-25, as well. Montembeault, however, is on an expiring contract and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

A few teams, including the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings, expressed interest in Allen in the off-season and the Canadiens could revisit those discussions later in the season.