Michael McNiven has signed a new contract with the Montreal Canadiens.

This is a very smart move. Next year McNiven can serve as the 5th goalie, going from ECHL to AHL when injuries happen. But what’s important is that he’s an RFA next year, meaning that Montreal has a goalie that fits the exposure requirements for Seattle, without having to make a trade or sign someone they don’t want to. (Since Primeau and Demchenko are exempt)

And this also means that Lindgren is definitely gone, since the habs aren’t keeping 6 goalies in the org. Worst case scenario, if we can’t trade him, I’d expect him to be loaned to another AHL team.

So Montreal’s goalie picture for the next two years is:

2020-21
1. Price
2. Allen
3. Primeau
4. Demchenko
5. McNiven
6. Lindgren (traded or loaned out)

2021-22
1. Price
2. Primeau
3. Demchenko
4. Nissen Dichow/McNiven/UFA

With everything McNiven said this year about not being given a chance in the AHL and them treating him like 2nd class, I'm surprised he wanted to return

I never heard anything he said, but he could’ve signed this because of the money/security. Plus he probably would’ve been qualified, so he sort of has no choice but to come to a deal. And they could have an agreement where they loan him to another AHL team if he doesn’t make the Rocket.

https://theathletic.com/1513745/2020/01/07/frustration-and-a-lack-of-communication-michael-mcniven-just-wants-to-play/

Never gonna give you up never gonna let you down never gonna run around and desert you!

Aww man, that sucks. Hopefully he can find stability somewhere, whether that’s with Laval or another team. If only Trois-Rivières was ready this year.

Never gonna make you cry
Never gonna say goodbye
Never gonna tell a lie and...
hurt you

When will Trois-Rivières be ready ? With all the news about Covid I haven't heard about it and I live in Trois-Rivières

Sounds like they’re planning to be up and running by next season (2021-22):

https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/platform/amp/2020/9/29/21082289/echl-team-in-trois-rivieres-is-coming-together-dean-mcdonald-interview-montreal-canadiens-affiliate

I would want to stay in the A if I was him.

The highest possibility in my opinion is that they will lose him on waivers.

For sure. And I guess the habs could put Demchenko in the ECHL, or loan McNiven to another AHL team.

As @jaredbook so rightly pointed out, Michael McNiven can refuse an ECHL assignment as he is no longer on an entry-level contract. Vasili Demchenko is however on a one-year ELC, therefore the path of least resistance is obvious. Whether it's the path traveled is to be determined. pic.twitter.com/WKPkYFf7Yj

— Andrew Zadarnowski (@AZadarski) September 30, 2020

I doubt it. He cleared last year, and I can’t see any NHL team where he would be an upgrade over their current NHL goalies.

If Trois-Rivières didn't choke up two years ago he would have played in echl Trois-Rivières .... Habs were making a team for him but things went south with old administration and voters...

100% sure this contract doesn't get signed if there's no expansion draft next year. Nobody needs 4 AHL goalies.

Lindgren one way contract is untradable. They tought he would be at Allen's spot by now. Boy did they miss on their projection...

.




Re-signs their ECHL goalie.

OMG HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE'S SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAART GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUYS!




.

I was trying to point out why they would re-sign him and why it’s important to idiots like you.