Adam Michaels
Registered User
Montreal doesn't have an ECHL affiliate. As a result, they need to loan their ECHL players to different teams. McNiven was assigned to Adirondack at the start of the season. He shared the net with Eamon McAdam, who was signed to an AHL contract by New Jersey/Binghamton.
After New Jersey acquired Louis Domingue from Tampa, they sent Evan Cormier down to the ECHL. Despite posting back-to-back shutouts and being named ECHL's Goaltender of the Week, McNiven was found in a 3-way with McAdam and Cormier. Despite being the better goalie, it was only natural Adirondack would prefer playing the two players under contracts with the Devils over a player from the Habs' organization.
However, as a result, Montreal was able to come to an agreement with Jacksonville to send McNiven there.
These kinds of scenarios would not repeat themselves if Montreal ends up with their own ECHL affiliate. People's eyes are still focused on Trois-Rivières for that.