Canadiens Have Interesting Decision To Make With Montembeault

What difference a year can make in the world of the Montreal Canadiens!

Last season Samuel Montembeault was picked up off waivers and thrust in a starting role due to injuries; and now Montembeault seems to be vying for the permanent role of No. 1 goaltender after an inspiring season and impactful IIHF World Championships.

Since the start of 2023, Montembeault has played some pretty clutch hockey. Playing behind the youngest defensive corps in the NHL, the 26-year-old was tasked with the impossible and came out looking strong in almost every performance.

Although his stat line didn’t jump off the page with a 0.901 save percentage and a 3.42 goals-against-average, the youngster was in the top 10 for goals saved above expected in the NHL.

For better or worse, the Montreal Canadiens would have finished far lower in the standings during the 2022-2023 campaign if it wasn’t for Montembeault, but is he ready to be a true No.1 goaltender in the NHL?

Montembeault has been on a mission to prove just that, which is why he accepted the invitation to backstop Team Canada at the IIHF World Championships.

It’s an opportunity that is likely to pay off handsomely, as Montembeault continued his clutch play overseas for Canada; posting an impressive 0.939 save percentage and a sparkling 1.42 goals-against-average.

Earning player of the game on more than one occasion and coming up big in the elimination rounds, Montembeault is certainly showing that the Montreal Canadiens need to take action soon.

Decisons, Decisions

Montembeault is entering the final year of his contract, worth $1M per season.

It’s a foregone conclusion that he’d be in for a significant raise, but the longer the Canadiens take to decide how to extend their goaltender’s contract, the more expensive that endeavour may become.

Signing Montembeault to a reasonable short-term deal would not only help the Canadiens gain some stability in net for the foreseeable future, but would help the organization from a salary cap perspective down the road.

General Manager Kent Hughes has been adamant about keeping Montembeault around, seeing him as key piece in their rebuild strategy, at least for now, so an extension is likely.

The Canadiens can only offer an extension to Montembeault’s camp as of July 1st, as he will be entering the final year of his two-year contract.

It wouldn’t be shocking to see the Canadiens get proactive to sign Montembeault before his current deal expires, just as they did with Jake Allen last fall.

It will give the youngster just rewards for an exceptional season and provide a smooth transition as the club sees Montembeault supplant Allen as the club’s top goaltender next season.