NHL Rumors: Canadiens Identifying Future Starting Goaltenders

The Montreal Canadiens' goaltending situation is mediocre at best. They signed Jake Allen as their starter to get them through the next three seasons, but the long-term picture isn't clear. Allen will be 35 at the end of his contract and will likely no longer be a starter, not only for the Canadiens, but in the NHL.

On many teams, Allen would be a backup, but the Canadiens also don't have the greatest options to back him up. The team has Sam Montembeault and Cayden Primeau as options. Montembeault was a waiver claim and even though Primeau has potential, there's no sure thing.

"The Canadiens will likely identify future starting goaltenders in the 2023 draft", said Eric Engels. The team has more than enough high draft picks to use one on the best goaltender in the draft. Even the top goaltending prospects take a few years at minimum to develop and become NHL ready. From there, many start out as backups before breaking into the starter role. If the Canadiens want to get a starting goaltender in their net as quickly as possible, they must target the best goalie from the draft and do what they can to bring him to Montreal.