The Montreal Canadiens roster does have pieces that General Manager Kent Hughes would like to consider as complete. The fortunate thing for Hughes and company is with all the NHL trade rumours swirling with goaltenders, whether it is Jacob Markstrom or Linus Ullmark, their goaltending is not a targeted area requiring immediate improvement this offseason. This is good given the steep asking price, Montreal isn’t really in a position to make a competitive offer. This should free up the club’s search for other areas. But for now, we shall discuss why in net, isn’t one of the areas Montreal needs to improve.
What is the Big Picture for Montreal Canadiens Goalies
One negative aspect of Hughes’ salary cap management is the fact that the team will have dead cap space allocated in 2024-25. It is a result of moving on from players Jeff Petry and Jake Allen. Furthermore, it is in the tune of $4.268M for the upcoming season. This will make it tricky for Hughes to acquire items on his wish list. Luckily, the Canadiens are looking at over $9M currently in projected cap space according to capfriendly. That amount includes a decent enough roster size of 19 of 23 spots filled. Therefore, knowing what Hughes’ is working with in terms of dollars and cents will help in discussing offseason chores.
First up to focus on for the Montreal Canadiens roster for 2024-25 is their goaltending. This is a team you may recall that still pays Carey Price $10.5M. Thankfully he is on long-term injury reserve (LTIR) and that amount doesn’t count toward their cap space. Fortunately, for the Canadiens, their goaltending is in decent shape, all things being considered equal. It does help that there isn’t a lot of pressure to make the playoffs in 2025, but their goaltending, as-is, is adequate.
Looking At the Montreal Canadiens Goalies and their Starter Sam Montembeault
Samuel Montembeault provides Montreal with stability in net. In 2023-24, Montembeault saw the cage 41 times for the Canadiens. He had a positive Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx) at 3.3, which is a good thing. In addition, among goalies with 30 games or more played, this was good enough to rank him 18th. The ranking is a little better than you might jump to conclude that that is below playoff standards. However, you do need to consider that 46 goalies (so more than 32), qualified based on the criteria of a minimum of 30 games.
The club as a whole had a .897 SV%, which puts them one point below the league average at .898 SV%. Montembeault landed at .903 SV%, so showed his value in that respect. Conversely, you could look at Montembeault’s success in another way. That it was at the expense of Jake Allen. Montembeault did get busier after Allen was traded. Hence, Montembeault was likely playing in less meaningful games as the season wore on. But still, Montembeault played well enough to showcase himself as a competent, number-one NHL goaltender. Additionally, his backup, Cayden Primeau did well in his own rights. In 23 games, a .910 SV% and a 3.6 GSAx will suffice. So, even though yes, most of the teams in the league would like to be better in goal, but for the Canadiens, and especially given the cost for 2024-25, there’s no need to make it a focus. Unless of course, something too good to resist comes up.
Any Last Thoughts
There are a couple possible reasons the Canadiens will need to make a move in net, but for now they are solid with Montembeault and Primeau. Injuries are possible, would be one reason. Also, what if they find themselves by the late fall of 2024 in a position to push for the Eastern Conference Wild Card playoff spot. Hope Hughes’ still have salary cap space available at that time. This would allow the team to bring in a great veteran presence to help support Montembeault. Only time will tell if the Montreal Canadiens current goalies can get the assigned task completed.
Main photo: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
