Could he realisticly get a better opportunity elsewhere though? Lindgren is finally (for him) gone, so is Demchenko, sure we got Montembeault at the moment but he's here to support the NHL team. Will he get taken on the waiver wire once Price comes back? Poulin is still with TR, correct?
Any AHL clubs looking for a 1B goalie? Because that's the only better opportunity I could see for him short term in NA bar an injury to a clear AHL #1...
Of course, I get that he wants his chance and that he probably feels like he's always been bypassed in the org and especially now with the org wanting to see Primeau play as much as possible.
Edit: I suppose that if Montembeault clears waivers, they'll find a team for McNiven.
Well the issue here is clearly that they think Primeau is better and McNiven is not even worth developing, which is INSANE. So, even though he's been playing better than any goalie in this organization not named Carey Price, he's still stuck as the 4th or even 5th goalie on the depth chart because management just simply doesn't see him as anything.
On his hockeydb page, it's insane the number of teams he's been bounced to, without playing significant time, even at the ECHL level. You'd think that's because he crapped the bed, he's done good to great every where he's been (obviously difficult to evaluate without a bigger sample size... but that's on the org not him).
Really scary read, because I doubt this is limited to McNiven/Primeau. This is the most obvious example, because there is such a limited number of goalie positions on one team, but it's really reminiscing of the treatment Kotkaniemi received in Montreal. Seems like there are favorites and if you're not one of them the organization throws you around for no other reason.
He's only 2 years older than Primeau ffs. If he outplays Primeau, he should be given the net, or they should AT LEAST split 50/50 if they see so much in Primeau. Especially considering the shit McNiven's been through since going pro, I think the results shows that he could do even better if given the opportunity.
Please MB, do like Kotkaniemi, trade McNiven to a team that actually will give him a fair chance.