The solution has a name: Marc-André Fleury

Maxime Truman
The solution has a name: Marc-André Fleury
Credit: Grok

We thought that Samuel Montembeault's stay in Laval (with Marco Marciano) had solved the team's problem in front of the net. But it hasn't. The problem is still there.

The Canadiens blew leads of 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2 on Saturday night in Boston, only to lose 4-3 in regulation time. Samuel Montembeault only managed to block 17 of 21 shots, whereas in theory, a good goaltender would have blocked at least 19 (90%).

Two goals vs. four goals allowed was the difference between zero and two more points in the standings on Saturday night. Points that you finally gave up once again to a division rival with whom you're fighting for a place in the top eight.

Losing toan Atlantic opponent…

Leaving the net wide open…

The Canadiens have to be better than that in these important games.

Samuel Montembeault, the first, has to be better in these significant games. He can't afford to give away two balls with six minutes left in the game, as Gilbert Delorme shamelessly put it this morning.

The two goalies currently in Montreal each have an efficiency percentage of .869 (Montembeault) and .887 (Jakub Dobes). You can't realistically expect to play spring hockey for a while with such “performances” from your goalies.

Montembeault dropped two games he should have won last week. Against the Sabres, he shouldn't have allowed three goals on 16 short shots. He hasn't finished any of his last three games with an efficiency percentage over .853.

Statistically, Monty is one of the worst goalies in the entire NHL in 2025-26.

Yes, Dobes wins, but he's still finished his last three games with an efficiency percentage of .870 or less. He may have posted a 5-0-1 record since December 10, but the fact remains that even if he's more effective than Samuel Montembeault, he's not the kind of #1 goaltender capable of taking the Habs to the finish line right now.

And before being traded to the Rocket, Jacob Fowler had just played four out of five games with an efficiency percentage of less than .900.

What's to be done? We can't just blame Martin St-Louis' man-to-man defensive system (not very defensive) and hope he'll change it during the season.

The one-name solution: Marc-André Fleury
Last December, reliable sources confirmed to me that Kent Hughes had spoken with Marc-André Fleury's agent, Allan Walsh. The initial conversations were about Phillip Danault, but according to my information, Kent Hughes also sounded out Fleury's interest (via his agent) in coming out of retirement and joining the Habs.

Fleury's response: “It would be a pleasure and an honor, but I have too many little injuries that handicap me when I put on the equipment.”

With Fowler playing like an NHL veteran, Dobes continuing to win, and Montembeault finding his footing, Fleury's case was consigned to oblivion.

However, with Montembeault's recent performances, the presence of a veteran like Marc-André Fleury is once again desirable.

People close to Fleury have told me that if Fleury were to say “yes” to the Canadiens, he would do so before the Olympics, so as to use February as a personal practice camp. He would only sign a one-year contract (a few months, in fact) and buy himself some time.

Unfortunately, as far as we know, the odds of this happening are still low: the Sorel native won't return to the game if he can't give 100%. If his body can't keep up, he won't come out of retirement to flop.

I know the Oilers have also shown some interest in Fleury. But there aren't a dozen teams that have called Walsh for Fleury.

A former Canadiens for life
Yes, Fleury (41) had slowed down over the past two years in Minnesota, but he still posted higher efficiency percentages than Dobes and Montembeault this year.

He would bring experience and leadership, and the rest of the club could benefit from it. What's more, he wouldn't be signing a big contract, which wouldn't make Kent Hughes' job that much harder, as he could send Dobes to Laval and then simply integrate Fleury with the big club.

Fleury would wear the Habs vest for a few months, then be considered a former Canadiens player for life. His family could stay in Minnesota, since Fleury's project in Montreal would be very short-lived.

It remains to be seen whether 1. Kent Hughes is still interested in Fleury and 2. Fleury has healed his wounds. We'll see.

Other solutions are few and far between. Either Montembeault gets back in the game, Dobes is given more of the net (and continues to win), or we do a Jarry vs. Skinner deal. Because last time I checked, we'd rather not have to recall Fowler this season.

We'd like to leave him in Laval until September. Will he be brought up at the same time as Marco Marciano?

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