Canadiens Continue To Talk Extension With Goalie--But With Limits

The Montreal Canadiens continue to run with their three-goalie system of Sam Montembeault, Jake Allen and Cayden Primeau. But most observers believe that something's gotta give at some point. With several teams in need of goaltending help (Edmonton Oilers, we're looking at you), how long can the Habs hold out?

SAM MONTEMBEAULT ARE YOU KIDDING? pic.twitter.com/iLRF0vShCQ

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 23, 2023

With Montembeault playing like a front-liner this season (2.81 goals against, .908 save percentage), Montreal would like to re-sign him (and he says he would like to stay), as he approaches unrestricted free agency after the current campaign. But the word from NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman recently is that contract talks have been... well, slow, so to speak.  Friedman said on Friday that while they continue to work on it, "I’m not sure the Canadiens will wait until the trade deadline."

In other words, if they don't think they're making progress towards a deal, they could pull the trigger on a trade sooner than later.

For some time now, we've heard that the Oilers are lurking (and desperate), and it seems that it's only a matter of time before something hits the fan.

Photo: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports