The Canadiens have signed peripatetic goaltender Michael McNiven to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will see McNiven earn US$700,000 in the NHL and US$75,000 in the AHL.
The 23-year-old McNiven played three games with the AHL’s Laval Rocket last season and was undefeated, but he spent most of the season in the ECHL, compiling a 9-11-2 record with the Adirondack Thunder, Jacksonville Icemen and Norfolk Admirals.
McNiven had the best goals-against average (2.33) and save percentage (.919) — among the four goaltenders who saw action with the Rocket last season and it will be interesting to see where he plays this season. Looking at the roster, Cayden Primeau and Charlie Lindgren figure to get the most playing time and that means Montreal might have to find another AHL team interested in a loan for McNiven. The Canadiens also have KHL veteran Vasili Demchenko under contract.
Over the course of his AHL career, McNiven has played 58 games with the Rocket. The 6-foot-2, 198-pounder has a 20-31-4 record with a 2.94 GAA and a .895 save percentage. He also registered two shutouts.
McNiven and the Canadiens agreed to terms on an NHL entry-level contract in 2015. At the time, McNiven was undrafted, but he made a strong impression at a summer development camp.
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