Will the Canadiens Turn Sam Montembeault Into a Trade Asset?

Sometimes, a team has to make a difficult decision before it becomes obvious. The Montreal Canadiens might be getting close to that point with goaltender Sam Montembeault.

Montembeault is entering the final year of his contract, and the Canadiens have a couple of young goalies waiting for their opportunity. Jakub Dobeš and Jacob Fowler are both part of the organization's plans, which raises an interesting question: Could Montreal turn Montembeault into a trade asset before his contract runs out? He hasn’t played yet this season, and the Canadiens are getting used to his being unavailable.

It's a fair question.

The Canadiens Have Some Decisions to Make.

Montembeault has been part of Montreal's goaltending picture through some difficult seasons. But teams can't keep every player forever, especially when younger options are pushing for a chance. Dobeš and Fowler give the Canadiens some choices. If the organization believes one or both are ready to take on more responsibility, keeping Montembeault could become a less obvious decision.

Of course, having young goalies in the system doesn't automatically mean they're ready to carry the load at the NHL level. Goaltending is a funny business. A promising prospect can need more time than expected, and a team can get itself into trouble if it moves a veteran before it's comfortable with the alternatives.

Montreal will have to weigh that risk against the possibility of getting something useful in return for Montembeault.

A Goalie-Needy Team Could Come Calling.

The other part of this equation is the market. Somewhere in the NHL, a team could find itself needing help in goal. Injuries, inconsistent play, or a lack of dependable depth can quickly change a team's plans. If that happens, Montembeault's experience could make him an interesting option. And with his contract nearing its end, the Canadiens might have an opportunity to get an asset back rather than risk losing him without a return.

That doesn't mean a trade is inevitable, or that Montreal should move him simply because Dobeš and Fowler are waiting. The Canadiens still need to be confident they have enough stability in net.

But it's worth watching how the situation develops. If the young goalies are ready to take the next step and another team comes looking for help, Montreal could have a decision to make. Sometimes, the right move isn't about giving up on a player. It's about recognizing that the organization's needs are changing—and figuring out whether that change has value.