It’s time for another round of NHL rumours to begin the work week. The Montreal Canadiens missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, the team has plenty of promise for the future. There are dynamic young forwards like Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki and others. However, they did get a solid season out of young Sam Montembeault in goal. Today’s NHL rumours deals with a possible Sam Montembeault extension.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Sam Montembeault Contract Extension Update
Rumour: The Athletic’s Marc-Antoine Godin looked at the Canadiens getting a new deal done for the young netminder. Montembeault becomes an unrestricted free agent after the 2023-24 season. The 26-year-old is currently a bargain at just $1 million person. He’s signed through next season, but Godin said getting a deal done needs to be on general manager Kent Hughes’ priority list.
Canadiens fans are entirely focused on Cole Caufield’s next contract.
But no one should be surprised if a contract extension for Sam Montembeault becomes another item on GM Kent Hughes’ to-do list.@MAGodin explains why:https://t.co/Smla594L8Y
— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) May 18, 2023
Montreal can sign the Quebec City native to an extension after July 1. Godin said that the young goalie is deserving of a raise because the franchise will need him. The Canadiens aren’t ready to hand the reins over to the goalie of the future. Montembeault can help fill the gaps for a few years.
He compared to Joonas Korpisalo, Philipp Grubauer and others in past seasons when they were part of a tandem. All of those goalies got a range of $2.8-$3.3 million per season.
Could a Sam Montembeault Extension Happen This Summer?
Montembeault has been pretty good in a tandem with Jake Allen or whoever will be the other goalie for the Canadiens. Montreal could make a splash and go after someone like Connor Hellebuyck when he becomes a free agent or via trade. However, Montembeault is a good stop-gap option while the Habs figure out who becomes the team’s number one.
The young goalie had some struggles in 2021-22, but was serviceable last season. Montembeault went 16-19-3 with a 3.42 goals-against-average. The young goalie was invited to play with Team Canada at the IIHF World Championships. Tournaments like that can give valuable experience to young players.
Caufield’s deal seems like the main priority, but getting a deal done for the young goalie should be something Hughes needs to take care of.
Main photo by: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
