McNiven To Flames In Another Montreal-Calgary Trade

The Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames have hooked up on the NHL trade market again with the Canadiens announcing on Wednesday that they have traded goalie Michael McNiven to the Flames in exchange for future considerations.

This is the second time in just over two weeks that the Canadiens and Flames have completed a deal on the NHL trade market after the Habs sent winger Tyler Toffoli to the Flames in exchange for a 2022 first-round pick, 2023 fifth-round pick, forward Tyler Pitlick, and prospect Emil Heineman on Valentine’s Day. There is also still plenty of NHL trade chatter that the Flames are still interested in Canadiens defenseman Ben Chiarot, so there’s a chance this won’t be the last trade between the two teams before the March 21 NHL Trade Deadline.

After attending the club’s 2015 Development camp and then signing with the Canadiens as an undrafted free agent goalie, McNiven played 82 games with Laval from 2017-18 to 2021-22. He leaves the Canadiens with a 31-35-8 record, 3.00 goals-against average, .891 save percentage, and four shutouts for their AHL club.

McNiven made his first NHL appearance this season when he replaced Canadiens goalie Cayden Primeau in the 8-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Jan. 25. The Winnipeg native has also played 11 games for the Laval Rocket this season and went, 4-4-1 with a 4.04 goals-against average, .869 save percentage, and one shutout.

With the departure of Michael McNiven on the NHL trade market, Primeau and Kevin Poulin are now the goaltending tandem for the Rocket with Samuel Montembeault and recently acquired Andrew Hammond as the NHL goaltenders for the Habs.

Carey Price remains on long-term injured reserve and is hoping to skate again next week as he rehabs from offseason surgery for a torn meniscus. Jake Allen is currently working towards a return to the ice as well as he recovers from a lower-body injury.