As the fateful date approaches, Cayden Primeau prays for a new opportunity. Tomorrow he will be placed on waivers, and one thing is clear: the hope of a new beginning burns intensely within him.
If the Philadelphia Flyers seemed to be his only escape a few weeks ago, recent developments with the Ottawa Senators offer a new horizon.
The Ottawa Senators find themselves in a precarious situation, to say the least. After the holidays, the team had to recall two goalies from the minors in a single day, a decision linked to a deep problem in front of their net.
Linus Ullmark, who was the NHL’s top-scoring goaltender in December, is injured. His “stiff” back sidelines him for a minimum of five games, with a potentially longer absence given the unpredictable nature of back injuries.
Anton Forsberg, although returning from injury, remains a doubtful option after inconsistent performances this season.
Leevi Merilainen and Mads Sogaard, the two goalies from the American League, were urgently recalled, but their inexperience in the NHL could cost a team that is aiming for a playoff spot.
With back-to-back games coming up against the Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota Wild, two of the league’s toughest teams, the Senators could use a reliable backup goaltender to stabilize the situation. And that’s where Cayden Primeau comes into play.
For Primeau, Ottawa could be the perfect scenario.
His father, Keith Primeau, a true Flyers legend, dreams of Philadelphia.
But Cayden is still looking to write his own chapter. After being ignored and marginalized in Montreal, a claim by the Senators would represent a fresh start, a chance to prove he can still be an impact player.
Ottawa’s current situation, combined with the uncertainties surrounding their goaltenders, makes this claim not only possible, but logical.
With Linus Ullmark unavailable and Anton Forsberg still fragile, Primeau would offer welcome depth in a supporting role, without jeopardizing young prospects like Merilainen and Sogaard.
However, the realities of hockey are never simple. Primeau drags behind him a heavy baggage of unflattering statistics:
A goals against average of 4.70, the worst in the NHL this season.
A save percentage of .836, also on the low end.
Those numbers make him a risky bet, even for a struggling team like Ottawa. But there is logic behind such a risk.
Primeau, despite his shortcomings, has always shown flashes of talent. With proper management and a less oppressive environment than Montreal, he could regain his confidence and relaunch his career.
If the Philadelphia Flyers seemed like the natural destination for Primeau, due to his family attachment and the team’s goaltending needs, Ottawa now offers an equally enticing opportunity.
Keith Primeau is a Flyers legend, and Cayden grew up idolizing the team.
The Flyers are also an organization in crisis in net.
In a context where the Flyers are struggling to find stability between the posts, and where Primeau’s name resonates like a nostalgic echo of the past, this possibility takes an almost inevitable turn.
The Flyers are experiencing a nightmare situation in front of the net. van Fedotov, a late returner from the KHL after military obligations in Russia, was injured after 10 disastrous games.
Goals against average of 3.48 and save percentage of 877.
The supposed number one goalkeeper, Samuel Ersson, is not doing any better. Goals against average of 3.28 and efficiency percentage of 872.
Finally, Aleksei Kozolov, the one who replaces Fedotov, is also shaky with his goals against average of 3.34 and his efficiency percentage of 878.
Despite relative offensive domination, the Flyers let crucial victories slip away because of their goaltending.
Recruited with a two-year contract at $3.275 million per season, Fedotov is fragile, both physically and mentally, he who is still on the sidelines.
Samuel Ersson, for his part, remains a temporary and uncertain option. Although he has avoided the brunt of the criticism, he has yet to show that he can carry the team on his shoulders.
For Daniel Brière, general manager of the Flyers, the goaltender position has become a top priority. According to several sources, his objective is clear: find a young goalkeeper capable of assuming an auxiliary role immediately, while having the potential to become number one in the long term.
The name of Cayden Primeau fits perfectly into this strategy. With his affordable contract ($890,000 this season) and upcoming restricted free agent status, he represents an attractive option for a team with nothing to oer.
Cayden Primeau is no stranger to Philadelphia. He was born there. His father, Keith Primeau, left his mark on the organization with his leadership and memorable performances in the early 2000s.
This family bond gives a sentimental dimension to the idea of a waiver claim.
In a recent interview, Cayden spoke about the special attachment he feels to Philadelphia:
“This is where my dream was born. Every place in the NHL is special, but Philadelphia has an even more special meaning. This is the team I followed during my childhood. Playing here, in front of my loved ones, is a unique and emotional experience. »
For Daniel Brière, this link represents a unique opportunity to reconnect the organization with a family that has marked its history.
During an exchange on the Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro, analyst Pierre McGuire pointed out that Primeau could be the ideal solution to stabilize the Flyers’ situation in front of the net:
“Primeau showed a lot of character in an organization as demanding as Montreal. If the Canadian does not make room for him, Philadelphia would be a natural base. »
For McGuire, the Flyers must act quickly to prevent their season from getting bogged down.
Philadelphia has priority over Ottawa on waivers.
For Cayden Primeau, the idea of playing for the Flyers represents not only a professional opportunity, but also a chance to reconnect with his family history and show that he can be an impact goaltender in the NHL.
Tomorrow, Primeau will pray that the Flyers answer the call…
Otherwise, he will pray for Ottawa.
He simply wants to write a new chapter, far from the disappointments of Montreal.
Primeau knows that his future in Montreal is over. His treatment by Martin St-Louis, marked by a lack of communication and trust, sealed his fate.
When he looks at his options, Ottawa represents more than a professional opportunity: it’s a chance to be reborn, to show that he is more than the dull statistics that currently define his career.
For the Senators, claiming Primeau is not a risk-free decision. But in a context where alternatives are limited, it could be a temporary solution while offering long-term potential.
For Primeau, it is a deliverance that he has been waiting for months. Tomorrow, when he is officially placed on waivers, his future will depend on the decisions of Philadelphia, Ottawa, or perhaps another team still in the shadows.
One thing is certain: Cayden Primeau has never been more in need of a fresh start. And if the Flyers or Senators answer his prayers, it could change his life.
To be continued…
