Carolina fell 2-1 to Tampa Bay in a tight preseason tilt, with Cayden Primeau turning in 18 saves on 20 shots. He wore 55 as a family tribute and is building depth after a Montreal trade for a 7th-round pick. The Canes outshot the Bolts 30-20 but couldn’t get the equalizer until late in the third.

Logan Stankoven tied it on a tip of a Kevin Labanc shot, while Labanc himself impressed on a Hurricanes tryout. Alexander Nikishin logged 23:08, two blocks, three hits, and looked comfortable at the point on the power play. Carolina heads to Florida on Wednesday after a Tuesday day off.

Carolina Hurricanes open preseason with a prospect heavy lineup against Tampa Bay Lightning at the Lenovo Center, focusing on development and depth. Alexander Nikishin is adjusting to North American ice while Logan Stankoven moves to center with Taylor Hall and Jackson Blake in the mix.

Nadeau and Unger Sorum emerge as top prospects, while Ruslan Khazheyev and Cayden Primeau split net. The schedule stays rigorous ahead of a Wednesday home date with Florida, and Hurricanes fans are urged to check streaming options on the team site.

Cayden Primeau has been traded from the Montreal Canadiens to the Carolina Hurricanes for a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The 25-year-old goaltender had a mixed performance this season, posting a 2-3-1 record, a 4.70 goals-against average, and an .836 save percentage across 11 NHL games. In the AHL, he excelled with a 21-2-2 record, a 1.96 GAA, and a .927 save percentage, showcasing his potential. As a restricted free agent, Primeau received a qualifying offer from Montreal, indicating his value in the league.

The Montreal Canadiens have secured a seventh-round draft pick from the Carolina Hurricanes for Cayden Primeau's negotiating rights. Primeau, who played 11 games with the Canadiens in the 2024-25 season, posted a 2-3-1 record at the NHL level. His strong performance in the AHL, where he had a remarkable 21-2-2 record alongside a .927 save percentage and 1.96 GAA, reflects his potential as a reliable goaltender.

Drafted in the seventh round by the Canadiens in 2017, Primeau's transition to the NHL has garnered attention, especially considering his AHL success. This trade may signify Carolina's intent to bolster its goaltending prospects, while Montreal continues to reshape its roster.

The Montreal Canadiens are showing signs of improvement this season, despite setbacks such as Patrik Laine's injury and inconsistent performances from players like Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook, and Cayden Primeau. The team's management, led by GM Kent Hughes, is signaling a shift from a development-focused approach to one that emphasizes achieving results. A recent trade that brought in defenseman Alexandre Carrier in exchange for Justin Barron reflects this change, as it aims to stabilize the defensive lineup and allow younger players to focus on their natural positions.

On the offensive front, the Canadiens are evaluating their roster with three forwards on expiring contracts. Jake Evans is having a standout season, nearing his career-high in goals and points. His performance could lead to a contract extension rather than a trade, as he brings versatility and stability to the center position. With uncertainties surrounding other centers like Dach and Newhook, retaining Evans might be crucial for the team's future.

Evans has been particularly effective on the penalty kill, contributing significantly to the team's success in that area. While he may not be a top-line player, his reasonable contract expectations and loyalty to the franchise could make him a valuable asset moving forward. Hughes' strategy appears to prioritize maintaining key players like Evans to foster a competitive environment as the team continues its rebuild.