\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s a door that\u2019s opening for Carey when Jake is hurt; we\u2019re not going rush Carey.\u201d \u2013 Canadiens\u00a0interim head coach Martin St. Louis when asked if Jake Allen\u2019s injury would accelerate Price\u2019s return.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, Price will decide what to do when he is ready to go, but the severity of Allen\u2019s injury will be the determining factor in what comes next for the Montreal Canadiens in nets.<\/p>\n
Recall Cayden Primeau\u2026 Again?<\/p>\n
Cayden Primeau has been the yo-yoed up and down from the Laval Rocket to the Montreal Canadiens and back for over a year now due to the injuries to Carey Price and the use of Taxi Squads. It has significantly reduced the amount of games he\u2019s been able to play over that span of time, and has directly affected his confidence; it\u2019s become difficult for him to get into the groove and build some momentum.<\/p>\n
To call him up right now, as he\u2019s been on a roll with the Laval Rocket en route to their first playoff qualification in franchise history, would be a shame. He has really improved his play since being sent down to Laval on a permanent basis in mid-February and bringing him up would be a detriment to his development at this time. With the Canadiens having traded Michael McNiven earlier this season, they don\u2019t have another goaltender on contract in the minors, as Kevin Poulin<\/a>, Laval\u2019s other goaltender, is only on an AHL-level contract and cannot be recalled by the club.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Could Carey Price Return For Montreal Canadiens After All?<\/p>\n The Montreal Canadiens were adamant last night about Jake Allen\u2019s injury not being a factor in Carey Price\u2019s return to the lineup, which is expected sometime this week. That doesn\u2019t necessarily mean Price isn\u2019t ready to return; it just means that they won\u2019t rush him to play on Monday against the Winnipeg Jets unless he\u2019s 100% ready to go.<\/p>\n The veteran goaltender has been consistent on his desire to play games this season for the Canadiens, and this could be, indirectly, the perfect time to see him make his long-awaited return to the Bleu Blanc Rouge. With Monday\u2019s game being at the Bell Centre, the roof would likely blow off due to the ovation Price is likely to receive, something the Canadiens\u2019 franchise player likely knows.<\/p>\n At the end of the day, Allen\u2019s injury will determine the next steps at this junction. If he\u2019s out for the season, it will force the Canadiens to get creative. If it\u2019s just a minor thing, we may see a quick call-up for Cayden Primeau until either Allen or Price is ready to go.<\/p>\n \t\t![\"avatar\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769524994_925_07ba55ead0c73509df880c421e3023e5ac7c7d9f55b4c9b9a5aeeb184bcdf689.png\")
<\/p>\n