Jacob Fowler is simply scathing towards Samuel Montembeault:
The goalie was clear and clear: he wants to play in the NHL next season.
“No matter how dominant you are in the NCAA, it’s going to be tough to do it in the big league, but I want to be an exception to that rule. »
These words resonate like a slap in the face for Samuel Montembeault, whose position seems increasingly fragile.
With Jakub Dobes shining in Laval and the young prodigy Fowler already knocking on the door of the NHL, the pressure on Montembeault is at its peak.
The Quebec goaltender, who supposedly embodied stability in front of the Canadian’s net, today finds himself in a precarious position, while rumors of transactions are circulating.
Edmonton and Colorado, two teams looking for reinforcements at the goalkeeper position, have reportedly contacted Kent Hughes to inquire about his availability.
Meanwhile, Jakub Dobes accumulates solid performances in Laval. The young Czech goalie seems ready for the NHL.
His impressive statistics and consistency make him one of the best goalies in the world not yet playing in the NHL.
For Kent Hughes, the dilemma is obvious: bet on a Quebec goalkeeper appreciated by the population, or give a chance to Dobes and Fowler, clearly superior to Montembeault and Cayden Primeau combined. (Primeau will leave Montreal as a restricted free agent, if not sooner).
And as if the threat of Dobes wasn’t enough, Jacob Fowler is already shaping up to be Carey Price’s heir.
Drafted with high expectations, Fowler does not hide his ambitions: he wants to play in the NHL next year.
His confidence and talent put Montembeault in an even more delicate situation, reinforcing the idea that his time with the Canadiens is coming to an end.
Kent Hughes’ decisions demonstrate a lack of faith in Montembeault. Whether through his attempts to acquire Yaroslav Askarov this summer or drafting Fowler, Hughes sent a clear message: Montembeault is not seen as a long-term solution.
Despite a three-year contract at 3.15 million per season, the Quebec goalkeeper has never benefited from the total trust of management.
Samuel Montembeault’s days as number one goalie seem numbered. Between the sparkling performances of Dobes, the boundless ambition of Fowler and the interest of teams like Edmonton or Colorado, Montembeault must now fight for his survival in an organization that no longer believes in him.
Hockey is cruel, and for Montembeault, this cruelty today takes the form of a feeling of rejection. But the reality is simple: he was never the long-term solution for the Canadian.
And now, he is walking on a thin wire, where each goal conceded could be one too many.
For Samuel Montembeault, the moment of truth is approaching. And unfortunately, the verdict seems to have already been reached.
The Edmonton Oilers were recently mentioned among the teams potentially interested in Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson.
However, according to tipster Pierre LeBrun, the Oilers do not currently consider the goalie position a priority.
Their focus is instead on strengthening their defensive line as the March 7 trade deadline approaches.
Additionally, the Oilers have expressed confidence in Stuart Skinner, saying they are willing to try anything with him as their primary goaltender.
This statement suggests that the team is not considering a major change at the position in the near future.
Nevertheless, rumors are circulating in Edmonton that, if the Oilers were to consider acquiring a new goaltender, Samuel Montembeault from the Montreal Canadiens would be a preferred option.
This speculation indicates that, despite their displayed confidence in Skinner, the Oilers remain attentive to opportunities to improve their roster, particularly regarding the goalie position.
Although John Gibson has been linked to the Oilers in some discussions, the team appears to be focusing its efforts in other areas at the moment, while keeping an eye on potential options like Montembeault to bolster their roster.
If the Oilers “shock” in the playoffs, while Jacob Fowler and Jakub Dobes will be ready for the NHL, Montembeault’s name will explode on the transaction market.
His future is not in Montréak. It became crystal clear.
