Don Deal: A player valued over $900 million is welcomed by the Montreal Canadians.
To retain the young goalie, the Montreal Canadiens have inked a contract with Sam Montembeault. Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff reports that the goalie inked a three-year contract worth a total of $9.45 million.
The cap hit, which will last until the conclusion of the 2026–2027 season, will have an average value of $3.15 million.
Canadian Ink Contract with Sam Montembeault
Over the course of his five NHL seasons, Montembeault has played for both the Florida Panthers and the Montreal Canadiens. The Bécancour, Quebec, native has a career record of 38-43-13 and a 3.42 goals-against-average. The young goalie from Montreal has a.897 career save percentage and one career shutout.
Currently, the 27-year-old’s record for the 2023–24 campaign is 5–3–1. Montembeault has a.910 save percentage and a 2.73 goals-against average. In his last four games, the young goalie has three victories. Florida selected Montembeault in the third round, 77th overall, of the 2015 NHL Draft.
Montembeault played his major junior hockey with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the QMJHL. After spending four seasons with the team, he signed a rookie contract with the Panthers in 2016.
On October 1, 2021, the Habs claimed him, and he has been a member of the team ever since.
What’s Implied
This season, the youthful goalie has proven to be among the better 5-on-5 goalies. The trio of goalies that also includes Jake Allen and Cayden Primeau is Montembeault.
Because the team believes Primeau will be claimed, Montreal does not want to sneak him through waivers and is currently carrying three netminders.
Trade rumors have been circulating about all three goalies, but Sam Montembeault’s contract should put a stop to most of them.
It appears that Montembeault will play a role in the Habs’ future, if not more. Now, attention is focused on Allen or Primeau as potential trade candidates for this season.
Although Montreal has shown glimpses of being an entertaining and thrilling team, it still needs to make a few adjustments to advance.
