Prospects not sure where they’ll play

The Canadiens not only have the richest goaltender, they are also rich in goaltenders.

That might pose a logistical problem as the organization tries to find ice time for its young prospects.

Michael McNiven, the top goaltender in junior hockey last season, said Monday there is a possibility he may return to the Owen Sound Attack as an overage player.

“I’m not sure what’s going to happen. It’s up to (general manager) Marc Bergevin,” McNiven said during a break in the Canadiens’ development camp in Brossard. “The important thing is to play a lot.”

The No. 1 job in Montreal is settled for most of the next decade after the Canadiens signed Carey Price to an eight-year, US$84-million contract, but McNiven is part of a talented group behind Price.

The way the goaltending depth chart shapes up, Al Montoya returns for another season as Price’s backup, and Charlie Lindgren will spend another season as the No. 1 with the AHL Laval Rocket.

While Lindgren is undefeated in three NHL games with a 1.65 goalsagainst average, Canadiens’ goaltending coach Stéphane Waite said the 23-year-old can benefit from another season in the AHL.

“If you look at goaltenders around the league, most of them spend two and a half years in the minors before they’re ready for the NHL,” Waite said.

McNiven, who was discovered at the Canadiens development camp two years ago, played the first half of Monday’s scrimmage, was perfect in 25 minutes of running time and also stopped the four shots he faced in a shootout.

The other goaltender in the pipeline is Zach Fucale, the No. 1 goalie with the ECHL Brampton Beast last season. Fucale spent the previous season in the AHL but was assigned to Brampton because it was important for him to play. Fucale is ready to move up, but the question is whether he will get enough ice time behind Lindgren.

McNiven isn’t the only player in camp who’s not sure where he’s going to play next season. Joni Ikonen, drafted in the second round last month, has one year remaining on his contract with Frolunda in the Swedish League, but he said he might return to his native Finland.

Ikonen had 19 goals and 22 assists in 40 games with Frolunda’s junior team, but failed to earn a point in 10 games of limited ice with Frolunda’s main team. He might see more ice time with a move back to Finland, but the Canadiens will have some input into his plans and Frolunda would be a better choice for his development.

Ikonen said he is still making adjustments to the smaller North American ice surface but noted: “It’s still hockey.” He has been one of the standouts through the first two days of scrimmages.

He is following the same career path as Artturi Lehkonen, another Finn who played at Frolunda. Lehkonen made the move to the Canadiens at 21, and Ikonen is only 18.

“I have to work on getting faster and stronger,” said the 5-foot-11, 182-pounder.

He’s an inch shorter than Lehkonen and although they weigh roughly the same, it’s obvious Ikonen has room to fill out.