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The conspiracy theorists — and there are plenty who follow hockey in Montreal — will jump to conclusions while attempting to connect the dots.

Two weeks before the NHL’s trade deadline, the Canadiens signed goaltender Charlie Lindgren to a three-year contract extension — a one-way deal for US$2.25 million. He was scheduled to become a restricted free agent on July 1.

With the trade deadline coming on Monday, Lindgren, 24, might be enticing to a team seeking assistance. Or perhaps the Canadiens will unload backup netminder Antti Niemi, who is another potential free agent.

“I don’t think about that. In hockey, you just never know. That’s the nature of the business,” Lindgren said following Tuesday’s Laval Rocket practice at Place Bell. “I’m very happy here. I think I’m in a very good spot. That stuff’s out of my control.”

It’s debatable whether any netminder in an organization that has Carey Price is in a good spot, but Lindgren said he’s proud to be a part of a historic organization, calls Price one of the best players in the game and said he can learn much from him.