Canadiens Could Be Showcasing Goalie For Trade

The Montreal Canadiens are strong at the goalie position as they have Sam Montembeault and Jakub Dobes on the roster, as well as top prospect Jacob Fowler, Kaapo Kahkonen in the AHL, and several other goalie prospects doing well.

While Dobes has clearly been the better goalie, Montembeault is still starting more games. David Pagnotta said, "They've kept going back to Montembeault. Either they're trying to get him going...or they're trying to...say hey...we have two decent goalies, we'll listen on one. I don't know if they're there yet."

The Canadiens are in a fine spot, third in the division with some games in hand, but they don't want to start falling as the teams that should be in the top three start winning and making it a real race. Montreal has some injury troubles that might catch up with them. Dobes might not be ready for the spotlight and the number one job, but he at least deserves more playing time than Montembeault at this time.

It could be either one of what Pagnotta suggested, as the Canadiens could still see Montembeault as their starter and want him to play more. It would then be integral to get him going so the team can trust him in net when he starts.

Montembeault had a strong 2024-25 season and he deserved the starting job. He is also 29 years old and in the second of a three-year deal at $3.15 million AAV. If he were playing like he usually does, this is a great contract, and an attractive and tradeable one if the Canadiens decide to go that route. It would allow contenders without much cap space to call and see about a trade. Unfortunately, right now, Montembeault has a 3.56 GAA and .858 SV%. According to Hockey Reference, half of his starts are considered really bad starts and that needs to be cleaned up.

Dobes started the season 6-0-0 and was nearly unbeatable. He has since struggled a bit, but is still the option the Canadiens should be going to. He isn't untradeable as Fowler will be on his way to the NHL soon. The Canadiens could look to keep a veteran and a talented young goalie mix, and it's more likely that Dobes would be traded than Fowler, given NHL teams want NHL-ready talent to help them out right now.

It is an interesting situation the Canadiens are in, but not a bad one to decide which of the many goalies will be traded at a good value to upgrade another spot in the lineup.