Canadiens Rumors: Goalie Acquisition Could Conclude Before Trade Deadline

The Montreal Canadiens have a real problem in net, and while the poor center depth is also something that has to be addressed, the goalie situation can cause losses, and has.

Pierre LeBrun said, "The Canadiens may have to trade for a goalie before March 6th, but for now would rather hope that Montembeault finds his game and Fowler gives them a little boost."

Jacob Fowler, who just turned 21 years old, was recently called up and has played in the Canadiens' last two games since the promotion. He is 1-0-1 with a 3.42 GAA and .894 SV%, but that was negatively impacted by his second game where the New York Rangers came back and scored five goals on him. His debut was very good. Regardless, the Canadiens allowed a lot of goals in one of his games like they have in many of the games with Sam Montembeault and Jakub Dobes as well as of late (Montembeault the entire season).

Fowler, who lit up the AHL, seems like a short-term solution to put pressure on Montembeault and Dobes before going back down to dominate the rest of the season and potentially being the backup next season. Dobes began the season very hot, but fell off after his six-game win streak to open the season came to an end. Montembeault hasn't found his game from 2024-25 all season.

Fowler may play a handful of games in the short-term, especially if he's providing good goaltending, but Montembeault, being signed for the longest and for the most money, is the goalie Montreal would like to turn to. Ultimately, one of them is going to have to go eventually, and it's not going to be Fowler.

If the Canadiens are on the hunt for a goalie, that means one of Montembeault or Dobes is going to be headed the other way like what the Edmonton Oilers had to do with Stuart Skinner to the Pittsburgh Penguins amidst their goalie upgrade. For cap purposes, it would more likely be Montembeault, but a real upgrade has to happen. Some may mention Jordan Binnington, but that's the question of an upgrade or just a sideways move. Maybe something happens with a change in scenery or playing in a bigger market in the country where he was born.

Whatever happens, the goaltending needs to be hashed out this season for the Canadiens or they will be fighting all season and may end up missing the cut for playoffs.