Louis Domingue wanted a path into Montreal's system, but Martin St-Louis won't get that veteran depth option this season.
The Quebec-born goaltender confirmed during a conversation with Meeker Guerrier on 98.5 that discussions took place with the Canadiens organization. His preferred destination was Laval.
“I would have liked to play for the Laval Rocket.”
That possibility never turned into a contract, leaving Domingue to look elsewhere for his next opportunity. Montreal simply had too many moving pieces in the crease to make another veteran addition fit.
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Samuel Montembeault remains part of the NHL picture, while Jacob Fowler's presence gives the organization another important option whose assignment will be watched closely through camp.
At the AHL level, Kaapo Kähkönen is also positioned to handle a significant share of the workload. That left little room for Domingue despite his interest in coming home.
Louis Domingue finds a different path overseas
Rather than adding another experienced goalie to an already crowded depth chart, the organization went with Kevin Mandolese as another option for Laval. Domingue was left outside that plan.
The result is a major change of direction for the 34-year-old. Instead of competing for starts in Laval and staying close to Montreal, he'll continue his career with HC Bolzano in Italy.
It's a very different destination from the one Domingue had in mind when discussions with the Canadiens organization began. The appeal of playing for the Rocket was obvious for a veteran with deep Quebec roots.
But the Canadiens' goaltending picture made the fit difficult. Fowler represents a younger organizational option, while Kähkönen and Mandolese give Laval enough depth to enter camp without forcing another goalie into the mix.
For Domingue, the European move now offers something Montreal couldn't: a clear opening to continue playing while beginning a completely different chapter with his family.
The Canadiens never reached the point of bringing him aboard, but his comments make one thing clear. Domingue wanted the opportunity, and Laval was a destination he genuinely had circled.
Instead, Montreal's crowded crease sent him in another direction.
Should the Canadiens have signed Louis Domingue for Laval?
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