Hockey

Spencer Knight’s new contract: further proof that Samuel Montembeault is a bargain
Félix Forget
Spencer Knight’s new contract: further proof that Samuel Montembeault is a bargain
Credit: Getty Images

Just under two years ago, Samuel Montembeault signed a new three-year contract with the Canadiens. We're talking about a pact that began last season and pays him $3.15 M per year.Remember that, at the time, Montembeault was stuck in a three-way partnership with Jake Allen and Cayden Primeau, but he was establishing himself as the club's true #1.And since then, Monty has really become the club's #1. He's just had a great season, and he's clearly established himself as the starter in town. And the more time passes, the more his contract looks like a bargain. In the last few minutes, for example, we learned that Spencer Knight and the Blackhawks have agreed on the terms of a three-year contract.We're talking about a pact that will pay Knight $5.83333 per year starting next season.

It's worth remembering, however, that last year in Chicago, Knight maintained a 3.12 goals-against average and a 0.896 save percentage. We know he didn't have a big club in front of him, and the Blackhawks are banking on his (great) potential, but this contract shows just how much of a bargain Montembeault is in Montreal.When you look at the annual salaries of new contracts for starting goaltenders in the NHL, they're rarely under $5 million. The Habs have one… for $3.15 M.All of which makes Monty a very interesting player to watch next summer. The Québécois will be eligible to sign a contract extension as of July 1… and with another fine season under his belt, he'll have a strong case for a handsome salary.The Habs will probably want to keep him… but we know that the club also has Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler as young goaltenders who could establish themselves full-time in the NHL one day.It'sstill too early to say which way the Habs will go… but next summer will be an interesting one for the club's future in net. Because if the club really has faith in Fowler and Dobes, it'll be hard to justify a long-term contract for Monty if he can almost double his salary on his next deal.

'Overtime'

– Of note on Spencer Knight's contract:

– A workhorse, that Sergei Bobrovsky.

– Jack Eichel: it could soon be settled in Vegas, believes Chris Johnston.

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