Not so long ago, we were talking about the legacy of Shea Weber and Carey Price with the Montreal Canadiens. On Friday, general manager Kent Hughes spoke more about that of Jake Allen and David Savard.
The first left to continue his career with the New Jersey Devils and the second stayed with the Canadian. In a press conference after the end of the trade period, Hughes recalled the importance of keeping certain veterans to support the young core at the Habs.
“It’s super important,” added goaltender Samuel Montembeault Saturday evening, after a 3-2 defeat against the Toronto Maple Leafs. We shouldn’t have lost both. David, he’s a big piece in the locker room. As a Quebecer, I stand with him a lot, but he also helps the young defenders.
“He talks a lot between periods and he brings energy into the locker room,” he added.
The menage a trois in front of the Canadiens’ net limited Montembeault to 30 starts in the Canadiens’ first 64 games. Primeau only obtained 13 in another pivotal year for his development.
Hughes insisted that it wasn’t all bad things about this ménage à trois because of Allen’s leadership skills. Montembeault was full of praise for the 33-year-old New Brunswicker.
“It’s a big loss for us. I sent him a long text message thanking him for everything he did, he said. He’s probably one of the best teammates I’ve ever played with. »
Although Allen did not hesitate to share his experience and give tips to Montembeault and Primeau during training, it was above all Allen’s human qualities that marked Montembeault.
“Especially in difficult situations,” he said. In my first season [avec le Canadien]even when he was injured and things didn’t always go well, he sent me a message after each match and encouraged me.
“Even if he played a bad game, he remained positive,” added Montembeault. He said he had seen others. »
Allen has also repeated in interviews since his departure that Montembeault deserved to obtain the role of number one goalie for the Canadiens.
A more normal situation
It is especially during training that Allen’s departure will have an impact on Montembeault and Primeau. Since the start of the campaign, the three goalies rotated and took turns training alone for a period of time with goalie coach Eric Raymond on the second rink at the CN Sports Complex.
“It will be good to do full training sessions with two goalies,” Primeau admitted. We will be able to practice with the whole group rather than just with the goalkeeper coach. »
And there will no longer be a guard on the bridge during matches.
Primeau admitted to being a little surprised to see Allen get traded, figuring that after getting this far into the three-man season, why not end it that way!
The 24-year-old American is, however, happy to have gained the trust of the leaders.
“Throughout the season, my goal was to improve and prove my worth,” Primeau said. Yes, this exchange demonstrates management’s confidence in me, but I want to continue to prove to them that they made the right decision. I will do everything in my power to continue to progress. »
The Canadian will play his last 18 matches in 36 days. The two goalkeepers should therefore be busy by the end of the campaign. They will have the opportunity to continue to demonstrate their progress and the achievements made over time by working alongside Allen, whose legacy will be felt as long as Montembeault and Primeau play for the Canadian.