Canadiens Send Reinforcements To The Rocket
Apr 14, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens center Oliver Kapanen (91) tracks a play beside Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Wyatt Kaiser (44) in the second period at Bell Centre. Photo Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
The Laval Rocket may be 2-0 up in its division semi-final series against the Cleveland Monsters, but the Montreal Canadiens' elimination by the Washington Capitals means that the big club could now send some reinforcements to its farm team.
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On Saturday morning, the Habs assigned goaltender Cayden Primeau and center Oliver Kapanen to Laval. The move isn't surprising since Primeau spent the entire second half of the season in the AHL after struggling mightily in the NHL from October to December. By the time he was sent down, his goals-against average had reached 4.70 and his save percentage was down to .836.
The Canadiens were forced to call up Primeau in the playoffs when goaltender Samuel Montembeau tore two muscles in his groin. Montreal needed someone to backup Jakub Dobes. Newly signed goaltender Jacob Fowler was ineligible since he only has an amateur tryout contract with the Rocket to finish this season, and his ELC kicks off at the start of next season.
Primeau saw no action against the Capitals, with Dobes getting the nod for every game. In the second half of his season in the AHL, the former seventh-round pick's stats were much better, with a 1.96 GAA and a .927 SP. Even though Fowler has won the first two games of the Rockets' series against the Monsters, it's likely Primeau will be getting the top job back.
As for Kapanen, he has never played with the Rocket. The young center made the Canadiens out of camp, but after 18 games in the NHL, in which he picked up two points, the games looked to be a bit too fast for the youngsters. He was loaned back to Timra IK in the Swedish hockey league for the rest of the season. In 36 regular-season games, he picked up 35 points and added three points in six playoff games.
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Kapanen could prove very useful to the Rocket. He played the top-six minutes in Sweden while also being used on the power play and the penalty kill. Pascal Vincent's team did very well in the regular season, but having depth in the playoffs is always a plus.
The third game of the division semi-final will take place on Sunday at 3:00 PM in Laval. A win would send the Canadiens' farm team to the division final.
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