Insider Predicts Canadiens Veteran Will Be First Player Traded
Seravalli Makes His Case
Appearing on The Jason Gregor Show, Frank Seravalli didn't just say Samuel Montembeault could be traded.
He said he expects Montembeault to be the very first player moved anywhere in the NHL this season.
"Ask Sam Montembeault. He's my best example," Seravalli said. "A couple of years ago, 4 Nations Face-Off, he was the third goalie on Team Canada. Today he's on the outside looking in as the third goalie on the Montreal Canadiens. And my money is on him to be the first player traded this season."
Frank Seravalli: Re Sam Montembeault/Canadiens: My money is on him to be the first player traded this season - Jason Gregor Show (9/17)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) September 18, 2026
Montembeault represented Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off recently and even picked up Vezina Trophy votes off a strong 2024-25 season, when he posted a 2.82 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage.
This past season, he finished with a career-worst 3.43 goals-against average and .873 save percentage across just 23 starts, a collapse significant enough that head coach Martin St. Louis turned to rookie Jacob Fowler for a relief appearance in the playoffs over Montembeault.
The Numbers Behind The Prediction
Jakub Dobes and Fowler are together in Group A, the tier Montreal treats as its top options, while Montembeault is in Group B alongside depth goalie Kaapo Kahkonen.
That sorting aligns with general manager Kent Hughes' comments from earlier this week that Montreal doesn't intend to carry three goaltenders once the regular season begins, even though he's comfortable starting camp that way.
Dobes has clearly taken over as the undisputed starter after a strong finish to last season, and Fowler more than held his own in his own right, posting a 2.43 goals-against average and .908 save percentage in 17 regular-season games, both better than what Montembeault managed.
#Habs Samuel Montembeault on his mindset heading into training camp
— Chris G (@ChrisHabs360) September 19, 2026
"I don't want to look too far ahead. We still have two weeks before the season starts. I just want to work, do things right, and give myself the best chance. I have a bone to pick, we know last year didn't go… pic.twitter.com/2fIR9h9l3k
That leaves Montembeault, still just 29 and only one year into a three-year, $9.45 million extension carrying a $3.15 million cap hit, as the odd man out on paper.
His salary is modest enough to make him easy to move for the right team, and unlike Fowler, Montembeault doesn't have a waiver exemption keeping him flexible for a trip to Laval, which narrows Montreal's options considerably if he doesn't win the job back in camp.
