Montreal Canadiens fans know one thing for certain: this city doesn’t just like goaltenders—we worship them. From Jacques Plante revolutionizing the position, to Patrick Roy bringing swagger and Stanley Cups, to Carey Price carrying the franchise on his back for a decade, goaltending is in the Canadiens’ DNA.

But what about Samuel Montembeault? Is he the next great name in the Habs’ crease, or just a stopgap in the team’s rebuild? Let’s break it down—stats, comparisons, and a little bit of gut feeling.

A City That Breathes Goaltending

Montreal isn’t like other hockey cities. Here, a goalie isn’t just one player on the team—he’s the backbone, the heartbeat, and often, the scapegoat. As Ken Dryden once said:

“In Montreal, being a goalie means being watched every moment, every second. The net is the loneliest place in the world.”

And that’s the reality Montembeault faces. Every great Habs team has relied on elite goaltending. But is Monty that guy?

Montembeault’s Journey: From Waiver Claim to Canadiens’ Hope

When Montreal picked up Montembeault off waivers from Florida in 2021, nobody expected much. He was a backup at best, a placeholder at worst. But slowly, something changed.

• 2022-23 Season: Despite the team’s struggles, he posted a respectable .901 save percentage, often keeping Montreal in games they had no business winning.
• 2023-24 Season: He started stealing games outright, showcasing quick reflexes, solid positioning, and a battle-ready mentality.

Does he still let in the occasional soft goal? Sure. But you know who else did? Patrick Roy, early in his career.

? Stat Check: As of 2024, Montembeault’s save percentage sits at .908, just below the league average for starters. Not elite, but solid considering Montreal’s young, inconsistent defence.

How Does Montembeault Compare to Other Canadian Goalies?

Canada has produced legendary goaltenders, but the NHL’s goalie landscape is shifting. More European goalies dominate today, with only 35% of NHL starters being Canadian—a major drop from the past.

Let’s see how Montembeault stacks up against other Canadian netminders:

Goalie Team Save % (2024) GAA (Goals Against Average) Samuel Montembeault Montreal Canadiens .908 2.85 Tristan Jarry Pittsburgh Penguins .910 2.79 Jordan Binnington St. Louis Blues .905 2.90 Carter Hart Philadelphia Flyers .906 2.88

Not bad, right? Montembeault is right in the mix, even outperforming some “established” starters.

“It’s not necessarily the most talented goalie that wins—it’s the one who works the hardest and believes they can.”
— Martin St. Louis, Canadiens head coach

And if there’s one thing Montembeault has, it’s work ethic.

The Fix for Montreal’s Goaltending Woes? Or Just a Band-Aid?

Alright, let’s get real: is Montembeault the future No. 1, or will Montreal need another goalie fix down the road?

Monty’s strengths:
✅ Athleticism – Quick lateral movement, great reaction saves.
✅ Competitiveness – Never quits on a play.
✅ Big-game potential – Showed flashes of brilliance in wins over playoff teams.

Monty’s weaknesses:
❌ Rebound control – Can struggle to freeze pucks.
❌ Consistency – Some nights he’s Price 2.0, other nights, not so much.
❌ Is he elite? – The Canadiens’ rebuild will need a top-tier goalie to contend.

So what should Montreal do?

1️⃣ Trust the Process: Give Montembeault another full season as the starter to see if he can take the next step.

2️⃣ Develop from Within: The Habs have Cayden Primeau and Jakub Dobes in the pipeline—one of them could emerge.  aND  Jacob Fowler, a 20-year-old goaltender prospect, is currently playing for Boston College in the NCAA, and is seen as a future goalie for the Montreal Canadiens

3️⃣ Draft a Goalie: Montreal could target top goalie prospects at the 2025 NHL Draft if they’re still unsure about Montembeault.

“If you don’t have a good goalie, you don’t have a good team.”
— Patrick Roy

No pressure, Monty.

The Canadiens’ Goaltending Situation… It’s Like a Broken Fridge

Okay, stick with me here. Imagine your fridge stops working. It still kinda keeps food cool, but not quite cold enough. Do you:

? A) Keep using it, hoping it magically fixes itself?
? B) Call a repair team to get it working properly?
? C) Ditch it and buy a new one?

That’s exactly Montreal’s goaltending dilemma. If Montembeault isn’t “cold” enough to win them a Cup, they’ll need to find a replacement—or at least a fix. And speaking of reliable fixes, when your real fridge breaks down, teams like the TechVill team make sure you’re not left scrambling. Because just like a hockey team needs a dependable goalie, your home needs dependable appliances.

Final Verdict: Monty or Move On?

So, what’s the call?

Montembeault has earned a shot at being the guy. His numbers aren’t elite yet, but they show promise. If he can clean up his inconsistencies, he could be Montreal’s bridge to contention—or maybe, just maybe, their next great goaltending story.

But if he struggles? Well, Habs fans have seen this movie before.

What do you think? Is Montembeault the answer, or is Montreal still searching for their next superstar goalie? Let’s hear it! ?⬇️

The Short Version for Busy Habs Fans

• Montembeault is solid but not yet elite.
• His stats are decent but not far off from other Canadian starters.
• Montreal has options: trust Monty, develop within, or draft/trade for a future No. 1.
• A broken fridge is like shaky goaltending—you either fix it or replace it.

What do you think?