The backup goalie market in the NHL is always in flux, and the Philadelphia Flyers are reportedly eyeing a potential fit in Montreal’s Sam Montembeault. With the free agent pool for goalies this year lacking depth, the Flyers may find themselves in a position to capitalize on Montembeault’s current situation.
This season, the free agent class at the goalie position is particularly thin, with Stuart Skinner emerging as the top choice. Following him are Connor Ingram, Sergei Bobrovsky, and Daniil Tarasov. However, with Sam Ersson’s performance deteriorating—he has struggled through three consecutive seasons with save percentages at or below .890—the Flyers are in need of a more reliable option.
While exploring the trade market could be costly, it presents an opportunity for the Flyers to find value. Montembeault, at 29, has seen his role diminish after the emergence of Jakub Dobes and the rise of top prospect Jacob Fowler. He finished the season with a 10-8-4 record, a 3.43 GAA, and a career-low save percentage of .872.
Despite his struggles this past season, Montembeault’s previous three years with the Canadiens show he can be a dependable backup. He posted a 63-58-19 record, with a 3.08 GAA and a .902 save percentage—numbers that are notably better than Ersson’s career stats of 65-50-17, a 3.01 GAA, and an .884 save percentage.
If Montembeault can bring his average performance to Philadelphia, he could serve as a capable stopgap behind starting goalie Dan Vladar, especially in a less intense media environment. Standing at 6-foot-3, Montembeault has demonstrated the ability to handle starting duties when necessary, as seen during his 2024-25 campaign.
Furthermore, according to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, Montembeault’s time with the Canadiens appears to be over, as the franchise opts for younger talent. This presents an opportunity for the Flyers to acquire him at a favorable price.
Montembeault is under contract for one more year, with a cap hit of $3.15 million. If the Flyers can negotiate effectively, they might just secure a valuable asset while continuing their trend of making smart, low-cost acquisitions.
Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.
