Montembeault Reveals Thoughts On His Canadiens' Future

The Montreal Canadiens have created themselves a bit of a crowded crease with the acquisition of Casey DeSmith. Sam Montembeault and Jake Allen split the goaltending duties equally last season, and both are still with the club. 

After fending pretty well for himself this past year, Montembeault was caught by surprise with the Habs' addition of DeSmith as Montreal's part of the Erik Karlsson-to-Pittsburgh trade. 

"I did not expect that," admitted Montembeault. But according to Simon-Olivier Lorange of La Presse, Canadiens GM Kent Hughes immediately quelled any potential unrest by calling Montembeault's agent soon after the trade to tell the Quebec-born goalkeeper "not to worry". And that went a long way in soothing the netminder. “He was super okay. I can't wait to see what will happen,” said Montembeault. He seems pretty secure with his spot on the team. 

The young veteran, in his second season with Montreal, posted a 3.42 GAA and a .901 SV% — solid numbers behind an inexperienced backline. He stepped it up to another gear at the World Championships in May, when he locked down the starter's role, and put up an elite 1.42 GAA with a .939 SV%, helping lead Canada to the Gold Medal.

The 26-year-old is entering the final year of his deal, with a $1M AAV, and both he and the Habs had expressed interest at the conclusion of the season in working out an extension. However, according to  Montembeault, those extension talks have yet to begin. 

Given the rumors involving DeSmith's future (talk is that the Canadiens are looking to trade him), and Allen's declining performance, it does seem that Montembeault is still a pillar for the future between the pipes in Montreal. 

 Photo: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports