“I expect Samuel Montembeault to be traded.”

Marc-Olivier Cook
“I expect Samuel Montembeault to be traded.”
Credit: Getty Images

The ménage à trois is becoming increasingly complicated.

Jakub Dobes is winning his games (although not always spectacularly), Jacob Fowler is performing well and inspiring confidence… and meanwhile, we're starting to see the Samuel Montembeault of the good old days.

Monty had another big one last night in Washington. He's not to blame for the Canadiens' loss to the Capitals: the Québécois stopped 39 of 42 shots and was really, really solid in net.

Sam is proving that he can still help the Canadiens win, as he did in 24-25. He seems to have settled back in front of his net, and if that continues, maybe he'll officially regain his #1 spot in Montreal.

But we know that in the NHL, things can move fast. If Monty does manage to regain his #1 spot, it doesn't mean he'll hold it for years to come… because there are young players like Dobes and Fowler growing up in the organization.

That's why, in Stu Cowan's eyes, Montembeault could be traded before his contract expires in 2027.

Cowan sees Fowler becoming Monty's backup by the end of the year in the NHL, he sees Dobes playing in Laval… and when Montembeault would be traded, it would leave room for Fowler and Dobes to shine in Montreal as the club's two goalies.

I think Hughes will choose Montembeault and Fowler as the starting goalies for the rest of the season, while sending Dobes back to Laval.

Fowler is 21 and Dobes 24, so the Canadiens are well-stocked in front of the net, and I expect Montembeault to be traded before the end of his contract. – Stu Cowan

The plan seems logical. Even if he lacks experience in front of the net.

Fowler may be ready to take on a heavier workload by the end of Montembeault's contract, and the Canadiens will probably want to give him as many opportunities as possible to succeed.

But with Montembeault also in the equation, that leaves a little less room for him too.

And it could also allow Kent Hughes to get something in return for Monty, instead of losing him for nothing in the summer of 2027.

The Québécois could decide to test the free agent market, knowing that there's probably another club that will give him more money and more games, and that's sure to be attractive to any player too.

Obviously, it won't happen tomorrow morning, because there's absolutely no rush in this case.

But Stu Cowan's thinking isn't crazy either, when you stop and think about it.


Overtime

– Mitch Marner misses Toronto… but loves it in Vegas. [The Athletic]

– Alexis Joseph is going to have a great career. [RDS]

– Rasmus Andersson's name is becoming popular in the NHL.

– Happy reading.

– I hope so!

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