The goalie who sooner or later is predicted to supplant Carey Value within the Canadiens’ internet doesn’t shave but. Or, if he does, isn’t required to take action with any nice frequency.“It’s good to be younger. Hopefully I’ll keep younger for some time,” the cherubic Cayden Primeau, who turned 20 three months in the past, mentioned following follow Tuesday at Place Bell earlier than the Laval Rocket boarded a bus for Toronto and Wednesday evening’s recreation in opposition to the Marlies — one which veteran Charlie Lindgren is predicted to begin.In his first professional season, Primeau — the final goaltender taken within the 2017 draft — has lived as much as his advance billing. Chosen within the seventh spherical (199th total), the 6-foot-Three, 200-pounder has backstopped the Rocket with reliable and strong play.
Cayden Primeau stops shot by William Pelletier throughout Laval Rocket follow on Sept. 25, 2019.
Pierre Obendrauf /
Montreal Gazette
In 9 video games, Primeau has allowed solely 17 targets for a 1.87 goals-against common. He has a 6-2-1 report, a .934 save proportion and stopped 20 Bridgeport photographs final Saturday in a Three-Zero victory for his first American Hockey League shutout.Whereas it was Primeau’s first shutout, maybe of extra consequence was that it got here after he allowed a season-high 5 targets in a loss to Belleville. That recreation marked the primary time the rookie had surrendered greater than three targets in a recreation.Among the many many attributes required of netminders is a brief reminiscence.“It was enormous to get again after that,” mentioned Primeau, who famous he tries to not dwell on poor performances. “It occurred. I didn’t really feel my greatest. I simply tried to return the following day able to play (though) Charlie had the following recreation. I used to be simply attempting to give attention to having a very good few days to prepare for the following one.”Primeau, a local of Voorhees, N.J., had a stellar profession at Northeastern College. He helped the Huskies win their third Hockey East event final winter. He was named the event’s most useful participant and acquired the Mike Richter award as goaltender of the 12 months.Though Northeastern misplaced to Cornell within the opening spherical of the NCAA event, Primeau went 25-9-1 in 35 video games. He had a 2.00 common, .936 save proportion and 4 shutouts. That got here after he helped the U.S. to a silver medal within the 2019 world junior championship, the place he made 5 begins and had a sterling 1.61 common.Primeau has needed to alter to the tempo of the professional recreation and lengthy street journeys by bus, in addition to enjoying three video games in 4 days most weeks.However the largest transition has come from his enjoying time. Whereas Primeau began a lot of the Huskies’ video games, Laval head coach Joël Bouchard has alternated him with Lindgren on a game-by-game foundation. Lindgren has allowed 26 targets in his 9 video games and, whereas he additionally has a shutout, his Four-Four-1 report and .889 save proportion aren’t notably spectacular.“I’m attempting to remain dialed in each evening as a result of something can occur. You don’t know,” Primeau mentioned. “It’s important to put together as when you’re enjoying each recreation. That’s been an enormous adjustment as a result of it’s very taxing, mentally and bodily.“I’m attempting to determine bodily what works for me to get myself prepared. Mentally, it’s good to get away from the sport. Do your stuff that you must on the rink however, while you’re away, attempt to put it apart.”Associated
Bouchard mentioned he has no plans to amend his rotation system, since his mandate is to develop gamers.“For Cayden, he’s a rookie. He’s going to play the quantity he must play as a younger man,” Bouchard mentioned. “The (AHL) doesn’t can help you play guys 65 video games.“Cayden is available in and listens to path. He observes. He takes the whole lot under consideration. He applies himself in follow or video games.”And he has good bloodlines, the son of former NHL ahead Keith Primeau, who performed 13 seasons with 4 groups.Bouchard isn’t able to anoint the youthful Primeau the Canadiens’ goaltender of the longer term. However he likes the small physique of labor he’s witnessed.“What excites me essentially the most isn’t his efficiency. It’s the particular person,” Bouchard mentioned. “I like the way in which he involves the rink, the way in which he handles himself off the ice. The way in which he approaches video games and adversity. The longer term’s brilliant for him. I don’t have a crystal ball — however I like him.”[email protected]/HerbZurkowsky1
