Cayden Primeau Traded to Carolina Hurricanes: What’s Next for the Goalie?
In a recent NHL transaction, Cayden Primeau’s journey takes a new turn as the Montreal Canadiens traded the goaltender to the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The move comes after Montreal issued a qualifying offer to the 25-year-old Primeau, who was slated to become a restricted free agent with compensation on tuesday .
Primeau’s NHL and AHL performance
During the 2024-25 season, Primeau played 11 games for the Canadiens, posting a 2-3-1 record with a 4.70 goals-against average and an .836 save percentage.However, he found considerable success in the American Hockey League (AHL), playing for the Laval Rocket. He helped the Rocket finish at the top of the league and earned the harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award alongside Connor Hughes, awarded to the AHL’s top goaltending duo with the fewest goals allowed. Primeau’s record with the Rocket was 21-2-2, accompanied by a .927 save percentage and a 1.96 goals-against average.
Did You Know? The Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award is named after hockey Hall of Famer Harry holmes, who played from 1914 to 1932 and won four Stanley Cups .
Drafted in the seventh round (199th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft by Montreal, Primeau has played in 55 NHL games (45 starts), maintaining a 13-24-7 record with a 3.69 goals-against average and an .884 save percentage.
Canadiens’ Other Qualifying Offers and Harvey-Pinard’s Status
Along with Primeau, the Canadiens extended qualifying offers to four other players on Monday: forward Sean Farrell, defensemen Jayden Struble and William Trudeau, and goaltender Jakub Dobes. Tho, Quebec-born forward Rafaël Harvey-Pinard did not receive a qualifying offer and will become an unrestricted free agent on Tuesday.
Injuries hampered harvey-Pinard’s ability to establish himself this season. He played in one game with the Canadiens in 2024-25 and participated in 40 games with the Rocket, recording 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) in the regular season, followed by three assists in 13 playoff games.
What’s Next for Primeau and the Hurricanes?
The trade to Carolina presents a fresh opportunity for Primeau to potentially revitalize his NHL career. The hurricanes gain goaltending depth, while Primeau gets a chance to compete for playing time on a team with playoff aspirations. The Hurricanes are currently ranked 10th in the league for goals against per game, allowing an average of 2.75 .
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on Primeau’s performance in training camp and the preseason to gauge his potential role with the Hurricanes.
NHL trades and Team Advancement
NHL trades, like the one involving Primeau, are common occurrences as teams seek to improve their rosters by exchanging players, prospects, or draft picks . Thes transactions are governed by the NHL/NHLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement and often intensify leading up to the NHL Trade Deadline .
| League | Seasons | Games Played | Record | GAA | SV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NHL | 4 | 55 | 13-24-7 | 3.69 | .884 |
| AHL | 3 | 60 | 35-10-7 | 2.40 | .915 |
Impact on the Hurricanes
The acquisition of primeau provides the Hurricanes with additional depth in their goaltending pool. It remains to be seen how he will fit into their long-term plans.
NHL goaltending Trends
The role of goaltenders in the NHL has evolved significantly over the years. Modern goaltenders require a combination of athleticism,technical skill,and mental fortitude to succeed in today’s fast-paced game. Teams often employ a tandem approach, utilizing multiple goalies throughout the season to manage workload and prevent fatigue.
Frequently Asked Questions About NHL Trades
- what is the NHL Trade Deadline?
- The NHL Trade Deadline is a specific date each season by which teams must complete any trades they wish to make. After this deadline, players can no longer be traded to other teams until the offseason.
- How do qualifying offers work in the NHL?
- A qualifying offer is an offer made by a team to a restricted free agent, allowing the team to retain negotiating rights with that player. If the player does not accept the qualifying offer,they can negotiate with other teams,but their original team has the right to match any offer.
What are your thoughts on this trade? Will Primeau thrive in Carolina? Share your predictions in the comments below!
