Maple Leafs Goalie Cayden Primeau Caught in the Crosshairs After Embarrassing Loss
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
An embarrassing loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets has Maple Leafs goalie Cayden Primeau caught in the crosshairs of a Sportsnet Analyst and Producer.
Following an embarrassing effort last night against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Maple Leafs' current backup goaltender, Cayden Primeau, has been the subject of some intense criticism, and rightfully so.
Primeau's Numbers Leave a Lot to Be Desired
Owner of an abysmal .838 save percentage and a horrifying 4.30 GAA through 3 starts with the Maple Leafs, Primeau has left a lot to be desired, despite the fact that he has been credited with two of the Leafs' 5 wins thus far this season.
Meanwhile, the Leafs have a perfectly capable young goaltender brewing in the American Hockey League in Dennis Hildeby, who owns a much more reasonable .903 SV% and a respectable 2.44 GAA through his 4 starts this season.
Sam McKee Tees Off on Primeau During Leafs Talk
Something's got to give, and that's the exact sentiment shared by Sportsnet's Sam McKee during last night's "Leafs Talk" podcast with Brent Gunning, who was filling in for usual host JD Bunkis.
"I can't fathom [the Leafs] giving him another start. It's got to be waivers... right? Just go to [Dennis] Hildeby."
The Leafs had James Reimer on a PTO prior to claiming Primeau off of waivers, but the move was never anything more than a gamble. Even with Reimer, as McKee alluded to on Tuesday evening, it probably wouldn't have been any better in Toronto.
"I think I've seen enough if I'm in the organization... I don't think they made a mistake letting Reimer go. It probably wouldn't have been any better with Reimer -- just send Hildeby in there for the back-to-backs until Woll's ready. That's where I'm at. I don't think we're going to sit here in two years and be like, 'boy, how'd they let Primeau get away?'"
Primeau was originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the 7th round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, and spent 6 years with the organization following his NCAA career before ultimately signing as a free agent in Carolina this summer.
Primeau Destined to Head Back to the Waiver Wire?
I don't blame the Leafs for taking a swing on Primeau in the hopes that he could give them a handful of quality starts before Joseph Woll returned, but I do agree that this experiment is a failed one and has gone on for a little too long.
We'll certainly keep our eyes peeled at 2:00pm ET each day, which is when waiver announcements are made, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Primeau's name on the list at some point in the near future.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 30 | 939 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Goalie Cayden Primeau Caught in the Crosshairs After Embarrassing Loss Do you think the Leafs should send Cayden Primeau back to the waiver wire? | ||
| Yes | 792 | 84.3 % |
| No | 147 | 15.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
