Charlie Lindgren

Washington completely remade their goaltending room this offseason, shipping out Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek while bringing in Darcy Kuemper and Lindgren. Kuemper, who got five years and a shade over $26 million will be the unquestioned starter, while Lindgren, at three years and $3.3 million, will be the backup. Lindgren more than earned his contract by posting a 5-0-0 record along with a sparkling 1.22 GAA and .958 save percentage a year ago. Those types of numbers will obviously not stick over a larger sample, but the 28-year-old Minnesota native should be a capable understudy for Kuemper.

Lindgren's fantasy outlook took a hit when the Canadiens signed Jake Allen this offseason, bumping the former to third on the depth chart. Lindgren wasn't great in 2019-20 with a 2-4-0 record, a 3.33 GAA and an .888 save percentage in six NHL games. He also went 7-6-2 with a 2.67 GAA and an .893 save percentage with AHL Laval. Entering 2020-21, Lindgren likely lines up as the Canadiens' taxi squad goalie, but he might have to compete with Cayden Primeau for that role. With two established veterans ahead of him, Lindgren may not make an NHL appearance this year.

When Lindgren joined the Canadiens in 2016, he immediately became the heir-apparent to Carey Price. However, three years later, it's looking like he doesn't deserve the inheritance. While he's been good in short stints at the NHL level, Lindgren has not performed as well at AHL Laval. The 25-year-old has posted a sub-par 3.17 GAA and .885 save percentage over the last two seasons in the minors. The Rocket haven't been very good during that time, so there's definitely an element of that at play, but NHL-caliber goaltenders are generally able to overcome a poor supporting cast at the AHL level. If Lindgren continues to underwhelm at Laval, Cayden Primeau will likely jump him on the organizational depth chart.

Lindgren signed a three-year deal in February and at one point, profiled as Carey Price's backup in 2018. However, in a surprise twist, the Canadiens signed Antti Niemi to a one-year deal, delaying Lindgren's arrival. Niemi earned the right to back up Price by outplaying Lindgren, who was 4-8-2 along with a 3.03 goals-against average and .908 save percentage at the NHL level, and even worse for bottom-feeding AHL Laval. Lindgren started strong in Montreal, but injuries weakened the team around him. He'll start 2018-19 in the AHL; however, if Montreal's season goes the way many pundits think, Lindgren will be promoted to begin his stint as Price's backup.