Oilers Have Opportunity to Claim Cheap Goalie, Former World Juniors Star on Waivers
The Edmonton Oilers have struggled in goal at times this season, and tomorrow will have an interesting chance to acquire a former top end goalie prospect Cayden Primeau for free.
Some Oilers analysts have reported that GM Stan Bowman may be interested in adding a cheap third option to the crease for insurance against injury and poor play.
According to reports from Canadiens reporter Eric Engels this morning, Cayden Primeau will be placed on waivers tomorrow as the Holiday Roster Freeze lifts.
The holiday roster freeze will lift tonight at midnight, meaning the Canadiens roster move will be official tomorrow afternoon.
This could give the Oilers some time to prepare, as the team already has some decisions to make with an extra player on the roster after the freeze.
Should the Edmonton Oilers make a waiver claim on Cayden Primeau?
The Montreal Canadiens are placing Primeau on waivers for a reason. With a horrific .836 save percentage through 11 games this season, he's probably been the worst goalie in the NHL.
Although the Oilers have seen improved player from their goalies in the last few weeks, they're still ranking in the bottom 10 teams for most goalie statistics.
They could definitely use some help from a third goalie who could step up in the case of injury or poor play, but expecting Cayden Primeau with the worst save percentage in the league to do so may be a tall ask.
However, Primeau is just 25 years old, and it's possible the Oilers still see some talent in him that made him a top prospect. In the 2019 World Juniors Tournament, Primeau was a star level talent that backstopped Team USA to a Silver Medal.
Last season Primeau had a .910 save percentage in 23 games, so the Habs could be making a hasty decision to cut him so quickly. With a salary of only $890K, there's very low risk of claiming him or burying him in the minors
It's possible the Oilers see some talent in Primeau, and having a need for a good third option in net, could place a low risk claim on the Habs goaltender. We'll see the Oilers decision within the next 48 hours.
