I really hope so. If not though, I think he'll get other offers elsewhere with an AHL club. He's performed well for the most part as a pro and has a decent pedigree for a non-drafted goalie.Going to be interesting to see if McNiven will still be a Habs after FA day (whenever that is this year).
No McNiven ? Has he officially left?
I think it was Lebrun who suggested said Habs can resign McNiven and use him as an available goalie for the expansion draft. I figure he is familiar with the rules to say that McNiven would qualify. For that and for his potential I hope they keep him and move Lindgren - one option is to loan Lindgren to another AHL team. The Blues even loaned Binnington at some point so it is a valid option.
yes that's correct, McNiven if re-signed to a 1 year deal would qualify as you don't have to have a goalie under contract as long as they are an RFA.
I'd rather have McNiven backing up Primeau then Lindgren
I just did not know that McNiven will have sufficient pro experience to qualify since he is unlikely to have any NHL games under his belt by the expansion draft.
one goaltender from each club has to be made available. They have to be under contract in 2021-22 or will be a restricted free agent at the expiration of his current contract immediately prior to 2021-22. However, clubs choose to make a restricted free agent goalie available in order to meet this requirement, that goaltender must have received his qualifying offer prior to the submission of the club’s protected list.
I just did not know that McNiven will have sufficient pro experience to qualify since he is unlikely to have any NHL games under his belt by the expansion draft.
I believe because he already has 3 years of pro hockey (and it would be 4 years during the Expansion Draft), he can be exposed.
If I'm not mistaken, any player with two or fewer years of NHL or AHL experience is exempt. So a player doesn't necessarily have to play any NHL games in order to be exposed.
They have to expose one defenceman who is a) under contract in 2021-22 and b) played in 40 or more NHL games the prior season OR played in 70 or more NHL games in the prior two seasons.
They will have to have two forwards available for selection who are a) under contract in 2021-22 and b) played in 40 or more NHL games the prior season OR played in 70 or more NHL games in the prior two seasons.
only goalies don't need NHL games played,
That surely helps the Habs. They can decide on a back-up goalie for the season after the expansion based on their situation such as Allen's performances and/or Primeau's NHL readiness and not on the expansion draft considerations.
Time for everybody to let Lindgren go. Time for us. And time for him to see another organization. Primeau, McNiven, Demchenko and even LaCouvée....we're fine.
He has a 1 way NHL salary. What team wants to pay that to an AHL player? We would have to trade him for another AHL player with an NHL salary of I think 750k. That or we lend him to another organization. Having said that if Price or Allen get hurt, he's good insurance.