By acquiring Alexandre Carrier, the Montreal Canadiens have taken a significant step in patching the right side of their defense—a glaring need entering this season. While this move doesn’t solve everything, it does shift focus toward two other pressing issues: goaltending and center depth. With Carrier stabilizing the defense for now, Kent Hughes must prioritize a solution in net, and Anaheim Ducks’ veteran John Gibson should be on his radar.
Goaltending: A Crisis in Confidence
The Canadiens entered this season hoping Cayden Primeau would prove NHL-ready. Unfortunately, the results speak for themselves. In 11 appearances (seven starts), the 25-year-old has a 2-3-1 record, but his 4.70 goals-against average (GAA) and .836 save percentage (Sv%) place him dead last among NHL goaltenders with at least 10 games played. Far from providing relief for Samuel Montembeault, Primeau’s struggles have magnified the Canadiens’ goaltending dilemma.
Montembeault has performed okay as the de facto starter, but he can’t shoulder the load alone. Fatigue inevitably leads to inconsistency and increased risk of injury—a scenario the Canadiens cannot afford. One need only look to the Toronto Maple Leafs’ years of scrambling for goaltenders to understand the peril of failing to address this need. If Montembeault were sidelined, opposing teams would see Montreal’s desperation from a mile away.
To stabilize the crease, John Gibson emerges as a logical target. At 31 years old, Gibson brings experience, leadership, and proven NHL ability. Admittedly, his $6.4 million cap hit and recent injury history present challenges, but the rewards outweigh the risks. In 10 games since his return this season, Gibson has posted a respectable 3.00 GAA and .909 Sv%, showcasing that he still has the ability to deliver steady goaltending.
Why Gibson Makes Sense for Montreal:
- Competition for Montembeault: Adding Gibson pushes Montembeault to elevate his game night in and night out. Competition breeds consistency, and right now, Montembeault lacks that internal challenge.
- NHL-Caliber Goaltending: Gibson would ensure the Canadiens have quality goaltending regardless of who starts. With Primeau struggling, this reliability is critical.
- Veteran Leadership: Beyond the numbers, Gibson’s presence brings invaluable experience to a young team—a calming influence for an inexperienced defense corps.
While center depth remains a need—especially with the uncertainty surrounding Kirby Dach’s recovery and the pending free agency of Jake Evans and Christian Dvorak—it does not rise to the level of urgency that goaltending does. Addressing the crease must come first.
A Veteran Netminder: Key to Young Defensemen’s Growth
Stabilizing the goaltending position doesn’t just address immediate performance concerns; it plays a pivotal role in the development of Montreal’s young blueliners. Adding a veteran like Gibson would provide the kind of backstop confidence that allows defensemen to play freely, knowing the goaltender has their back.
As Canadiens legend Ken Dryden once put it:
“A goalie’s job is to stop pucks. Well, yeah, that’s part of it. But you know what else it is? You’re trying to deliver a message to your team that things are OK back here. This end of the ice is pretty well cared for. You take it now and go. Go! Feel the freedom you need in order to be that dynamic, creative, offensive player and go out and score. That was my job. And it was to try to deliver a feeling.”
Young defensemen need that assurance. Mistakes are inevitable in their development, but every error resulting in a goal can erode confidence. A steady, experienced goaltender behind them—someone like Gibson—can mask those errors, instill calm, and accelerate their growth.
While the Canadiens can no longer count on Carey Price to provide that stabilizing presence, Gibson could deliver a similar impact. His contract, though not ideal, provides enough runway for promising prospects Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler to develop properly without being rushed.
Rough game for kid Hutson tonight, with two costly turnovers. The #Habs miss having a goalie who can cover some of those mistakes. #GoHabsGo
— JD Lagrange (@jdlagrange.bsky.social) 2024-12-21T02:06:35.429Z
The Case for John Gibson
John Gibson isn’t a perfect solution, but he addresses the Canadiens’ most immediate and pressing need. By acquiring Gibson, Montreal secures stability in net, relieves pressure on Montembeault, and fosters an environment where their young defensemen can thrive.
This isn’t about making a splash; it’s about setting the foundation for sustained progress. If Kent Hughes wants his team to compete now while prioritizing long-term development, the move for Gibson is a gamble worth taking. Here is the big question however. Gibson has a 10-teams no-trade list and it was rumoured that all 7 Canadian teams are on there… Could Hughes get permission to talk to him and sweet-talk him into coming to Montreal? It’s a long shot at best.
