Despite a very difficult start to the season with the Montreal Canadiens and a demotion to the Laval Rocket, goalie Cayden Primeau has not lost confidence. He still believes he can establish himself permanently in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Primeau took part in a second training session with the Habs’ farm club on Thursday. For him, it was a welcome return to normal for the 25-year-old American, whose holiday season was not easy.
Primeau received a call from Kent Hughes on December 23, after a game against the Blue Jackets in Columbus. The general manager of the Canadiens informed him that his name was going to be placed on waivers on December 28. Ignored by the other 31 NHL teams, he was demoted Sunday, as the second three-day bye began for the Rocket.
“It was longer than I thought,” said Primeau, whose last appearance in front of the Canadiens’ cage dates back to December 12, in relief of Samuel Montembeault in a 9-2 defeat against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Getting back on the ice was a little difficult after a long break. But it’s good to be back.
“It’s hard to hear, but it’s not the end of the world,” he added of his demotion. It’s a good league, and the guys [du Rocket] did well in the first part of the season, so I’m excited to play. I will have to deserve [mon temps de jeu]but I haven’t played much in the last two years, so being able to play and have fun is the important thing. »
Primeau has only started seven games this season, seeing action in 11 games. He has a 2-3-1 record, a 4.70 goals-against average and an .836 save percentage. Since the start of the 2023-2024 season, he has played 34 games.
Rocket head coach Pascal Vincent is refusing to divulge his plans for the goalie for the moment. However, he believes that a return to form will require more action.
“In his case, a bit like goal scorers and offensive players, it’s confidence that he needs,” Vincent argued. He needs to play hockey, to perform during training, to feel good, to have fun playing hockey. We have a good room, I know he is close to some players, so he was welcomed with open arms. He’s a good teammate, a good person and he’s a hard-working guy.
“I’m not saying he lost his confidence, but it was difficult. So we’ll work on that first. Now, the number of matches he will play, I don’t know. He’s going to play at the end of the week, and from there, we’ll see. »
The Rocket will play two games against the Abbotsford Canucks, Friday and Saturday at Place Bell. With the recall of Jakub Dobes to Montreal, Connor Hughes is the other goaltender for the Rocket, who boasts a record of 18-10-2 since the start of the campaign.
If he gives himself the objective of moving forward one day at a time, Primeau affirms loud and clear that he has not lost confidence. He notably recalled his personal successes in 2023-2024, when he posted a record of 8-9-2 and an efficiency rate of .910 with the Canadian.
“No, I don’t think I ever lost my confidence,” he said. I was afraid of making mistakes. The difference is small, but it’s different. You can be confident and not want to make mistakes. Maybe fear isn’t the right word, but I didn’t want to make any mistakes. Coming back here, [je pourrai] play and find those things that allowed me to be successful.
“Even with the results this year, I felt like I was doing good things on the ice. And last year too. »
In Laval, Primeau will find goaltending coach Marco Marciano, with whom he worked during his first four seasons in the American League.
The two men have a great relationship, and Primeau believes the lessons instilled by the instructor have helped him keep his head up over the past few months.
“It’s part of the life of a professional,” said Primeau. Marco here talks about always bringing positive energy no matter how you feel. Having someone like him for four or five years and learning from him was huge for [les dernières semaines à Montréal]. »
