With training camp set to open in less than three weeks, the Montreal Canadiens should do the right thing and trade goalie Sam Montembeault.
Canadiens Goaltender Montembeault Needs A Change Of Scenery
Two years ago, Montembeault’s stock was at an all-time high when, during the 2024-25 season, at age 27, he enjoyed a breakout season which saw the 6’3″, 218-pound netminder from Becancour, Quebec, grab control of the Canadiens’ starting goalie position by posting a 31-24-7 record which included four shutouts and a 2.82 GAA.
Montembeault, who would start this breakout year by shining in the season’s home opener with a 48-save gem in a 1-0 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs, experienced quite the thrill when on December 4, 2024, this up and coming Habs goalie along with Vegas Golden Knights goallie Adin Hill and Jordan Binnington were named as the three goalies to represent Team Canada at the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off.
During this inaugural tournament, which Canada would win, Montembeault would end up being Canada’s third-string goalie. Though he didn’t play, it was obviously quite the honour to be selected.
“It was a nice vote of confidence,” Montembeault said. “There were several general managers throughout the League working together to assemble the team, so it’s nice to see that there are some who have confidence in me to be one of the three goalies who will represent the team.”
Unfortunately for Habs fans, Montenbeault couldn’t take that next step towards stardom when last year, his play was wildly inconsistent as he eventually lost his starting job and in only 25 games had a 10-8-0-1 record with a 3.43 GAA and .872 save percentage.
Last year, after winning only five games in 15 starts, with a .857 save percentage and a 3.65 ERA, Montreal made a move on December 16, 2025 by sending Montembeault to the AHL’s Laval Rocket.
Before being demoted, Montembeault last saw action on December 9th, when he took over for Jakub Dobes and saved 10 of 13 shots in an eventual 6-1 Tampa Bay win.
Following the Christmas break, Montembeault was recalled, but his inconsistent play continued, as he his final game for Montreal took place on March 6th which that night saw him make 28 saves in an eventual 6-5 shootout loss against the Anaheim Ducks.
Besides Montembeault, Montreal has two high profile developing goalies in 21 year-old Jacob Fowler, who as a rookie went 9-6-0-2 with a 2.43 GAA and .908 save percentage in 17 games along with 25 year-old Dobes who in 42 starts went 29-10-0-4 with a 2.78 GAA and .901 save percentage.
Canadiens sign Dobes To Three-Year Contract Extension
Coming off a solid rookie season which saw Dobes go 29-10-4 with a 2.78 GAA and a .901 save percentage, it was clear that Montembeault, who don’t forget is four years older, was being squeezed out of the goaltending picture.
Last spring, Dobes went 9-10 in the playoffs with a .901 save percentage and 2.66 GAA. Backing him up was Fowler who is eight years younger that Montembeault.
On July 2nd 2026, the Canadiens showed how much he was valued in the pecking order as they gave Dobes a three-year extension with $16 million.
“It’s exciting, Dobes said. “I feel like we have a good group. End of the day, I feel like everyone wants to win, which is really important to get the deals done and keep the guys together. I feel like everything was pretty smooth with all of us.”
Montembeault, who was drafted in 2015, 77th overall with the Florida Panthers, and had a brief stint with them, has only one year remaining on his contract which carries a $3.15 million dollar cap hit.
Could Montembeault Soon Find Himself An Edmonton Oiler Or A Blue Jacket?
Not long after it became public that Edmonton Oilers newly acquired goalie Frederik Andersen would miss part or all of training camp with an injury, rumours immediately found its way on social media that Montembeault could soon find himself an Oiler.
Another team rumoured to be in the mix for Montembeault is Columbus who earlier this off-season lost their number one goalie Elvis Merzlikins who is out long terms recovering from shoulder surgery.
The 32 year-old Merzlinkins went 14-11-3 with one shutout and a 3.40 GAA in 30 games played.
Only time will tell if Montembeault ends up an Oiler or Blue Jacket or perhaps traded to another team.
One thing is for sure and that’s Montembeault who at 29 years of age is in his prime, needs a fresh start with another team where he can compete for the number one goaltending position.
Also, past history has shown that going with three goalies on a team never works. There is always someone who is dissatisfied with their work load and the dissection could spill into the dressing room.
Montreal needs to make the logical move which is immediately trading Montembeault.
Main Image: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
