Canadiens’ Montembeault: Will He Find a New Home?

Samuel Montembeault’s recent sidelining during the Montreal Canadiens’ playoff run raised eyebrows, signaling that he may no longer fit into the team’s plans. The situation became even more apparent with the three-year contract extension signed by general manager Kent Hughes with Jakub Dobes this past Thursday. Once a promising talent who made Team Canada for the 4 Nations Face-Off, Montembeault has seen his stock plummet, leaving the Canadiens eager to move him but not at any cost.

The goaltending landscape has shifted dramatically in recent days, with several teams making high-profile moves. Jacob Markstrom has been traded to the Florida Panthers, joining Akira Schmid, while Sergei Bobrovsky recently signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Detroit Red Wings dealt Sebastian Cossa to the Utah Mammoth during the draft, and the Edmonton Oilers continue their quest for a reliable goaltender, signing veteran Frederik Andersen. Meanwhile, Samuel Errsson has been on the move, transitioning from the Philadelphia Flyers to the Leafs in a deal involving Joseph Woll, only to be flipped again to the Ottawa Senators. Other notable signings include Eric Comrie with the San Jose Sharks, Daniil Tarasov with the Red Wings, Calvin Pickard with the Minnesota Wild, Pheonix Copley with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Vitek Vanecek with the New York Islanders, and Stuart Skinner with the Winnipeg Jets.

As the Jets navigate their own goaltending situation, Connor Hellebuyck has surfaced as a potential trade candidate. His name carries significant weight in the market, and once Winnipeg successfully moves him, Montembeault may attract interest from teams that miss out on the three-time Vezina Trophy winner. Despite a lackluster playoff performance, Hellebuyck remains a sought-after asset. On the other hand, Jordan Binnington, entering the final year of his contract with the St. Louis Blues, has also piqued interest following his performance in the 4 Nations Face-Off and Olympic gold medal game, despite recent struggles in the NHL.

When Hughes addressed the media after signing Ivan Demidov to an eight-year extension, he was straightforward about Montembeault’s marketability, stating, “Yes.” It’s a reasonable perspective, but it appears that several other moves need to unfold before Montembeault could become a viable backup option for another team. His performance last season was disappointing, but he has the potential to bounce back, making him an enticing gamble for teams in need of goaltending depth. Unlike Brendan Gallagher, however, Hughes won’t rush into a trade; he seeks a meaningful return. Should negotiations stall, all three goalies could still find themselves in Montreal when training camp begins. The road ahead is long, and as Hughes has demonstrated, he is patient when it comes to securing the right deal.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.