Samuel Montembeault Should Be on the Canadiens Roster to Start the Season

With Jacob Fowler emerging as one of the organization’s top prospects and Jakub Dobes looking like he is ready to be the number one goaltender, moving Samuel Montembeault seems like the logical next step. But as the summer has progressed, the goaltending market has changed dramatically. Many of the teams that looked like natural trade partners for the Montreal Canadiens have already addressed their needs, leaving Kent Hughes with fewer potential buyers than expected. Instead of forcing a trade, perhaps the Canadiens should simply keep Montembeault to begin the season.

Teams Have Filled Their Need

Only a few weeks ago, there appeared to be several obvious destinations for Montembeault. Teams searching for stability in goal could have viewed the veteran as an affordable solution, especially with only one season remaining on his contract.

Since then, however, much of the market has disappeared. The Edmonton Oilers, who had been linked to nearly every available goaltender, solved their situation by acquiring Devon Levi via trade from the Buffalo Sabres before signing Frederik Andersen in free agency. The Toronto Maple Leafs also addressed their crease by signing Sergei Bobrovsky, removing another potential landing spot.

Several other clubs have also settled their goaltending depth, leaving significantly fewer teams in desperate need of a starter or experienced backup. That doesn’t mean there isn’t a market for Montembeault at all. Injuries happen, and another team could still decide to upgrade before training camp or early in the season. But compared to where things stood just a couple of weeks ago, Hughes has far fewer options.

The Canadiens have shown throughout this rebuild that they are willing to wait for the right deal rather than accepting a lesser return. If the offers aren’t there, there is no reason to move Montembeault simply for the sake of making room.

Keeping Montembeault Makes Sense

If a trade isn’t available at fair value, why not keep him? Montembeault handled a difficult situation extremely well down the stretch last season. After losing his job completely to Dobes and Fowler during Montreal’s impressive playoff push, he reportedly remained an excellent teammate and continued supporting the young netminder. He also made it clear that he enjoys playing in Montreal and would be happy to remain with the organization.

There is also no reason to rush Fowler. The young goaltender has tremendous upside, but like most goalies, he still needs games. Playing regularly with the Laval Rocket is far more beneficial than sitting on an NHL bench for long stretches. Giving him another full season as the Rocket’s starter would allow him to continue refining his game while facing meaningful minutes every night.

Meanwhile, Dobes appears ready to receive the opportunity to prove he can be the Canadiens’ number-one goaltender. His strong finish to last season and his composure during the playoff race showed he deserves that chance. In that scenario, Montembeault slides into the backup role.

Every successful team needs reliable depth in goal over an 82-game season. Injuries, fatigue and inevitable stretches of inconsistent play happen to every starter. Having an experienced veteran capable of stepping in for 25 to 35 games would provide valuable insurance while allowing Dobes to gradually adjust to the workload of being an NHL starter. Montembeault doesn’t need to steal the crease back. He simply needs to be a dependable backup who can give the Canadiens quality starts whenever called upon.

It’s All About Patience

The Canadiens have consistently preached patience throughout Hughes’ tenure, and this situation should be no different. Montembeault enters the final year of his contract, but that doesn’t necessarily reduce his value. In fact, his value could increase significantly during the season.

Every year, contenders lose goaltenders to injuries or realize they need more stability heading into the playoffs. The trade deadline often creates a much stronger seller’s market than the offseason, especially for experienced goaltenders on expiring contracts.

If Montembeault performs well as Montreal’s backup, Hughes could find himself with far more interested teams next March than he has today. Keeping him would also remove unnecessary pressure from both of the organization’s young goalies.

Fowler would continue developing properly in Laval instead of being rushed to the NHL before he is fully ready. Dobes, meanwhile, would not be forced to immediately carry the workload of a true number-one goalie over an entire NHL season.

That is an important point that shouldn’t be overlooked. Dobes finished last season brilliantly, but he has never been an NHL starter for a full 82-game campaign. Asking him to suddenly play 55 or 60 games without an experienced safety net would be a significant gamble.

By keeping Montembeault, the Canadiens buy themselves flexibility. They maintain strong depth in net, allow their two young goaltenders to develop naturally, and potentially maximize Montembeault’s trade value later in the season. Sometimes, the best move is the one you don’t make. For Hughes and the Canadiens, keeping Montembeault to start the season may prove to be the smartest decision of all.