Cayden Primeau has returned to where it all began, playing for the Laval Rocket in the AHL.
While it appears his inconsistent career is at a crossroads, the 25-year-old goaltender has reported to the Rocket with a positive attitude and has had early success. With slightly decreased expectations, the goalie looks like he’s enjoying the game more.
“I want to get back to making it a game I grew up loving and playing,” Primeau told The Gazette on Tuesday at Place Bell. “I just think a lot of things happened. Maybe not necessarily that I didn’t have fun, but it really showed that it was a job. Work. When you’re doing that, it’s tough.”
Primeau was loaned to Laval on Dec. 29 after clearing NHL waivers the previous day. He struggled this season during limited playing time with the Canadiens, posting a 2-3-1 record in 11 games along with a 4.70 goals-against average and .836 save percentage. In his final appearance on Dec. 12 against Pittsburgh, he allowed three goals on seven shots after replacing Samuel Montembeault during an embarrassing 9-2 defeat on home ice.
With Montembeault at one point playing 10 consecutive December games, the writing was on the wall for Primeau. Jakub Dobes, his replacement with the Canadiens, has won his first three starts with one shutout in his NHL debut against Florida, making it unlikely Primeau will be recalled, barring an injury.
“It was a tough situation,” Primeau said. “At the beginning of the year it was tough for both goalies. It was a hard team to play for. Not playing often was tough. I don’t want to take anything away from Sam, but he was pulled a couple of times at the beginning of the year.
“Obviously, there were things I did that didn’t help. It was tough not being able to play and seeing Sam play 10 in a row.”
As a seventh-round (199th overall) draft choice by Montreal in 2017, the expectations on Primeau might have been low. But he also recorded the only two shutouts produced by the Canadiens last season when he went 8-9-4 in 23 games, along with a more-respectable 2.99 goals-against average and .910 save percentage.
Primeau said he never lost confidence this season, but also believes he was thrust into an untenable situation.
“Going back to last year, I think I proved myself,” the 6-foot-3, 205-pound American said. “That was also a hard situation, but I feel like I’m ready for that. Mentally, if I’m not getting reinforcement from other people, I have to make sure I get it myself. With the numbers (this season) and it being a result-oriented league, you kind of have to be ready for everything. But obviously it was tough to hear the news.”
Primeau’s play since being demoted has been impeccable. He stopped 27 shots in a 2-1 overtime victory against Abbotsford on Jan. 3 while being named the game’s first star. Last Friday, he recorded a 16-save shutout at Cleveland. Primeau was scheduled to start Wednesday night at home against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
In 125 career AHL games, Primeau has gone 65-42-12 with a 2.70 average and .910 save percentage along with 12 shutouts.
Rocket head coach Pascal Vincent has embraced Primeau’s attitude and work ethic, while taking a philosophical approach to where the prospect might be in his career, knowing some goalies take longer to develop than skaters.
“He’s a good goalie,” Vincent said. “There’s a little bit of construction and he has to take a detour. The final result is still the same. The guy can play. He’s taking a detour right now but it’s not the end of the road; it’s a little detour. We want him to get back to where he wants to be in the future, and we’re going to do everything we can to help him.
“He’s doing everything right. He’s a good team player. He works hard in practices. We feel he’s excited to be here, and he’s getting some success. He needs to play, be successful and stop some pucks. Defining fun is different for different players. For him it’s to play minutes, to feel he’s contributing to the team. Being part of something bigger than himself means a lot. He needs to take a step back, but he knows how good he can be. So far he has been outstanding for us.”
Signed to a three-year, US$2.67-million contract in September 2022, Primeau is eligible to become a restricted free agent at season’s end. What the future holds remains to be determined.