Goaltender Cayden Primeau has signed a US$2.67-million, three-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens, the team announced Thursday.
The one-way deal carries an average annual value of $890,000.
Primeau, 23, was 1-7-1 in nine starts with the Habs last season, posting a 4.62 goals-against average and .868 save percentage. He also posted a 16-12-3 record in 33 games with the Laval Rocket, the Canadiens’ American Hockey League affiliate, in 2021-22.
Drafted in the seventh round (199th overall) by the Canadiens in 2017, the Farmington Hills, Mich., product is entering his fourth professional season.
The six-foot-three 203-pound netminder has a 3-10-2 record in 18 career NHL games.
On Wednesday, Montreal announced that star goaltender Carey Price has been placed on long-term injured reserve. The 35-year-old former Vezina Trophy winner played just five games last season because of a knee injury.