Samuel Montembeault: Carey Price was quick to praise him today

When the Habs acquired Samuel Montembeault in the fall of 2021, the reason was pretty obvious: with Carey Price in the player assistance program, it took a goalie to patch a hole in the CH hierarchy.

We didn’t think we’d get the club’s concession goalie, but a guy to tide us over until Price returned.

The rest is history: #31’s knee wouldn’t let him play again, apart from a handful of games in April 2022. Games that, as we now know, were more of a farewell than anything else.

That said, Price still had the opportunity to rub shoulders with Montembeault briefly towards the end of the 2021-22 season. And at today’s CFMOTO Canada press briefing, Price was asked about the Quebec goaltender.

And in the end, his message was clear: he didn’t hesitate to praise him from all sides.

The Quebecer has what it takes to succeed him!🔵⚪️🔴https://t.co/HLnb4ORuN5

– TVA Sports (@TVASports) September 12, 2023

According to Price, the Quebec goaltender has a wide range of assets that will serve him well. Whether it’s his personality (which he says is perfect for the Montreal market), his technique or his positive attitude, it’s all likely to help him flourish in the city.

We can also add to all this that he has the popular support, which doesn’t hurt either.

And in the eyes of #31, Montembeault “can be the CH’s #1 goalie”. Regardless of a goalie’s age, the important thing is to see him find the consistency to establish himself as a true starting goalie for a team.

At 26, Monty isn’t young… but he’s not old either. He’s still got plenty of field hockey left in him, and with Jake Allen getting on in years, as well as the prospects that won’t be arriving any time soon, Montembeault has the chance to seize his opportunity to become Montreal’s undisputed #1 goaltender.

Of course, he’ll need a strong start to the season to force the hand of Martin St-Louis, who is likely to want to give Allen some playing time. And if Casey DeSmith were to get involved (which I doubt, but which isn’t impossible), it would complicate things even more.

But clearly, Price knows what it takes to be a starting goalie in Montreal. And I imagine Montembeault must have appreciated such a vote of confidence.

In gusto

– He’s improved his French, hehe.

Here’s what Carey Price’s French would sound like if he spoke it. Here he explains, in his own (artificial intelligence) voice, how he feels about his knee.
👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/PiHhpsVuMZ

– Jeremy Filosa 🎙 (@JeremyFilosa) September 12, 2023

– Senators sale: it’s a matter of days before it’s made official.

– It’s understandable.

– Professional tryout in Edmonton for Adam Erne.

– Indeed.