29-year-old goaltender Sam Montembeault was selected 77th overall in the 3rd round of the 2015 draft by the Florida Panthers. This 6'3", 218lb goalie was claimed off waivers by the Montreal Canadiens in 2021. He set an NHL record with 48 saves in a season-opening shutout against Toronto in 2024. Montembeault was also named to Canada's roster for the 4-nations face-off in the 2024-25 season. His 2024-25 season painted a good picture, appearing in 62 games with a 31-24-7 record, a 2.82 goals-against average, and a 0.9 save percentage, with an impressive 4 shutouts. Unfortunately, in the 2025-26 season, he only recorded 25 games, with a record of 10-8-4, a 3.43 goals-against average, and a 0.872 save percentage.
There is plenty of room for improvement, as his debut in Saturday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs was a promising first step. Montembeault stopped all 13 shots he faced over a 31:19 period as Montreal defeated Toronto 4-1, with Kahkonen taking over midway through the second period.
While some could argue that a 13-shot preseason performance with half the game played is not a great indicator of how the rest of the season will progress, goaltending isn't all about flashy saves. A quiet performance is an encouraging one as well. Looking composed in the crease, Montembeault gave Toronto little to work with, tracked the puck, and didn't concede any goals. Consistency is key, and if he can maintain the form he showed, Montreal could get another great season of goaltending.
#Habs Samuel Montembeault on returning to action against the Maple Leafs
— Chris G (@ChrisHabs360) September 20, 2026
"It feels good. It had been so long since I played, the last time was at the trade deadline last year. I'm really happy. I was nervous before the game started, but they got a power play after a minute,… pic.twitter.com/HFGOWOyFO4
What could this mean for Jacob Fowler?
Montembeault's performance could also affect Jacob Fowler. Even with Fowler being one of the organization's most important prospects, Montreal doesn't necessarily need to rush him into a backup NHL role if Montembeault can establish himself as a steady contender. If he looks good throughout the preseason, there could be a strong argument for allowing Fowler to start the season with the Laval Rocket, allowing him more playing time, facing professional competition regularly, and more time to develop.
Obviously, one game doesn't change everything, and the Canadiens will need to see much more from Montembeault before making any conclusions about the 2026-27 season, especially with the preseason just beginning. Workloads will increase, but this first impression was a positive one and is a great place to start. For a goaltender looking to carry confidence, the Canadiens could find themselves with reliable goaltenders and allow Fowler to develop properly in Laval.
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