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Sam Montembeault Is Apparently Untouchable

Trey Daubert / NHL / January 19, 2023

Sam Montembeault Is Apparently Untouchable

Don’t bother calling Kent Hughes about Sam Montembeault. Hughes claims the young Canadiens goalie is not for sale. Montreal might be terrible (19-23-3 and last place in the Atlantic) and the goalie trade market is thin. That doesn’t matter to Hughes. Montembeault is not for sale so don’t bother calling.

Kent Hughes sees Sam Montembeault as part of the future, says he won't consider trading him.
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) January 18, 2023

Montembeault, 26, is having a bit of a breakout season. After three consecutive years with a save percentage under .900, the Canadiens’ netminder currently rocks a .912 clip. By far a career high. Montembeault’s goals saved above expected mark is also positive for the first time in his career (+4.3). On the season, the Canadiens are 9-7-2 in starts made by Montembeault.

Montreal claimed Montembeault from Florida in 2021 in a move that’s finally paying off. The Canadiens also extended the former Panthers third round pick to a contract extension that will pay him $1 million this year and next year. Montembeault will reach unrestricted free agency in 2024.

I just don’t understand the whole unwillingness to listen on a trade here. Does Montreal think Montembeault is the goalie of the future here? If that’s the case, why has he only started 18 of a possible 45 games? Jake Allen is on the roster as the veteran option after being acquired from the Blues in 2020. Cayden Primeau is also on the squad just waiting for his number to get called.

NHL 2022-23 Power Rankings: January Edition

I understand that it looks like Carey Price is done. However, this Montreal team is still a ways away from real contention. To not be willing to listen on a former waiver claim that they refuse to name as the every day starter on a team that’s rebuilding feels egregious. Given how think the goalie market is, shouldn’t Montreal try to extract a future asset for Sam Montembeault while he’s still under contract to a cheap cap hit? Make it make sense!