The Florida Panthers have re-signed restricted free agent goaltender Sam Montembeault to a one-year contract, two-way worth $708,750 per season. This contract carries him through the 2019-20 season.
The @FlaPanthers have agreed to terms with Sam Montembeault on a 1 year, 2-way contract. 📰>> https://t.co/5t28YtTUIm pic.twitter.com/SNrux0DDcq
— Springfield Thunderbirds (@ThunderbirdsAHL) July 19, 2019
Montembeault Re-Signs With the Panthers
Montermbeault was called up by the Panthers at the end of February on an emergency basis. He would spend the rest of the season in the NHL with the Panthers appearing in 39 games. His numbers, however, weren’t very impressive in the AHL as he went 13-16-8 with a 3.24 goals against average, .899 save percentage, and a shutout.
In his rookie year in South Beach, Montembeault played in 11 games with 10 starts for the Panthers . He put up a 4-3-2 record with a 3.04 goals against average and .894 save percentage. He also has added an assist last season. Florida originally drafted Montembeault in the third round, 77th overall by the Panthers in the 2017 NHL Draft.
Sam Montembeault To Back Up Bobrovsky
With Sergei Bobrovsky being signed by the Panthers this year there is no doubt that he will pick up most of the starts next season. Florida didn’t sign another goalie which would mean Montembeault will assume the back-up role.
This is a smart move by Florida. He is a young goalie who will get a shot as an NHL back-up for the entire season. His biggest strength at the moment is his glove hand and does have some upside that will come with more experience in the NHL. If Montembeault doesn’t end up putting up decent numbers expect the Panthers to possibly look for some help in net. It will be interesting to see how Montembeault pans out for the Panthers next season.
MONTREAL, QC – MARCH 26: Florida Panthers goaltender Sam Montembeault (33) tends net during the second period of the NHL game between the Florida Panthers and the Montreal Canadiens on March 26, 2019, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
