The Montreal Canadiens' 2025-26 season was highly successful. After ending their playoff drought the season before, the Canadiens built on their first-round exit and made the Eastern Conference Final. Even though you could chalk up Montreal’s season as a success, it was not always smooth sailing. Early on, the team had to fight through a ton of injuries to key players, but what probably worried fans more was the struggles in net. Samuel Montembeault began the year as the team’s starting goalie. He struggled early, and while Jakub Dobes had an outstanding start to the season, the Canadiens were focused on getting their starter going.
In theory, that makes sense, but the extended breaks between starts affected Dobes's play. The Canadiens now had two goalies not performing at their best, forcing management to call up top goalie prospect Jacob Fowler. Montembeault spent some time with the Laval Rocket as a result, but was recalled less than two weeks later. The Canadiens carried three goalies at points for the remainder of the season, and while Dobes and Fowler saw most of the action, it absolutely should not be something the team does again this season.
The Canadiens have carried three goalies before
Last season was not the first time the Canadiens carried three goalies on the roster. During the 2023-24 season, Montreal carried Jake Allen, Cayden Primeau, and Montembeault for the majority of the season. All three goalies appeared in at least 20 games that season, but with minimal success as the Canadiens finished with one of the worst records in the league. It is hard for a goalie to get into rhythm when they are forced to split practice time between three goalies. The numbers reflected that, with all three goalies having a goals-against average around 3 and a save percentage in the low .900s. Having three goalies does not help the team win and, if anything, it is the easiest way to destroy a goalie's confidence.
Montreal eventually understood that having three goalies was not going to work. Allen was traded to the New Jersey Devils at the trade deadline, and after the trade, he opened up about the difficulties with carrying three goalies. “We had me and Montembeault, and they kept Cayden Primeau around. We thought Cayden was going to be going down, and they just kept us around. So personally I didn’t really like it, just because you feel on the outs,” said Allen. He also added that not knowing when you would start your next game was a big problem. It was difficult for a veteran goalie to get adjusted to that system. Now imagine how that would be for Dobes and Fowler, who are two young netminders still looking to prove they can be starters in the NHL. They need to play, and carrying three goalies would stunt their progression.
Montreal needs to solve its goalie problem before opening night
The Canadiens' season opener is on September 29th against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and they need to have their goalie situation figured out by then. It is clear that Dobes and Fowler are the team’s goalies of the future, and having Montembeault around complicates everything. Montembeault's value is likely at an all-time low after his disappointing 2025-26 season, which is likely the reason he is still on the roster. Montembeault could start the season as the Canadiens' backup, as they try to raise his value before trading him. The only problem with that is Fowler has earned the right to be on the team based on his play last season, and if he comes into training camp and excels, the spot should be his.
If Fowler comes into training camp and proves he is a better option than Montembeault, Montreal has to be more flexible on moving the veteran goaltender. If teams are not willing to give you what you want for Montembeault, it might be time to lower your trade demands, or you risk losing him for nothing. Montreal cannot carry three goalies once again. If the Canadiens cannot find a trade partner for Montembeault before the start of the season, he has to be sent down to the Rocket. He would have to clear waivers, which means a team could claim him, and the Canadiens would be left with nothing in return. It is going to be a difficult decision, but if it is between that and carrying three goalies, Montreal needs to bite the bullet and put him on waivers.
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