Samuel Montembeault, although far from Colorado, is a lot of talk in Denver… but not for the right reasons.
While the Montreal Canadiens will face the Avalanche this evening with Jakub Dobeš in goal, behind-the-scenes discussions are increasing on Montembeault’s situation, particularly in relation to his controversial contract.
Some observers even suspect that the CH lined him up against Chicago yesterday to avoid him being in the spotlight against an organization that has recently bet big on its goalkeepers.
MacKenzie Blackwood’s recent performances with the Avalanche, capped by a 5-year, $25 million contract extension, only accentuate the unease around Montembeault.
Both goalkeepers, aged 28, have comparable stats, but it was Blackwood who was offered a number one goalkeeping role and a contract that matched his potential.
Meanwhile, Montembeault must settle for a modest $3.15 million per year over three years, with no no-trade clause, even if he’s overused.
This glaring difference is fueling discussions in Denver, where the media and Avalanche fans see Blackwood as the future of their franchise.
“They believe in me,” Blackwood said, visibly pleased with the organization’s vote of confidence.
MacKenzie Blackwood’s words in Denver must be difficult for Samuel Montembeault to hear. Blackwood expressed how much he feels supported and valued by the Avalanche, explaining that the five-year contract extension he received is clear proof that the organization believes deeply in him.
He emphasized that such a gesture of confidence encourages him to continue to improve and prove that he deserves this role in the long term.
We can see the fundamental difference between the way Blackwood is treated in Denver and the reality of Montembeault in Montreal.
Where the Avalanche shows its commitment to its goaltender, the CH, by offering a contract at a discount and without a no-trade clause, sends a completely different message.
For Montembeault, it is obvious that he has never received this same level of consideration or recognition, despite his constant efforts and solid performances.
In Montreal, Montembeault never has such support.
CH’s decision to send Montembeault against Chicago, a significantly weaker team, is seen by some as an attempt to avoid direct comparisons with Blackwood.
Others see it as a maneuver to minimize attention to the shortcomings of Montembeault’s contract, particularly in a context where Jakub Dobeš is preparing to defend the Montreal net against one of the NHL’s powers.
Everyone knows that Kent Hughes had a “quick time” with Montembeault and his agent.
This feeling is amplified by the words of his own agent, Paul Corbeil, who downplayed the impact of the lack of contractual protection for his client.
Corbeil, in an attempt to justify his choices, affirmed that “it was a good agreement for Samuel and for the Canadian” and that “the organization believes in him”.
But the facts say quite the opposite. If the CH really believed in Montembeault, they would have negotiated a contract worthy of his talent, or at the very least included a protection clause to prevent him from becoming a simple bargaining chip.
Corbeil’s lack of vision in this negotiation weighs heavily today. While Blackwood benefits from an explicit vote of confidence in Denver, Montembeault sees his future in Montreal collapse as Jakub Dobex imposes himself.
This reality makes even more cruel the lack of obvious support from the Montreal organization, which already seems to be preparing for the next generation with Dobes and Jacob Fowler.
For Montembeault, the current situation is a cruel reminder of the importance of having an agent who truly protects his client’s interests.
Corbeil was unable to anticipate the changing dynamics within the CH, nor negotiate a contract that would have offered Montembeault the stability necessary to flourish.
Instead, the Quebec goalie finds himself in a precarious position, stuck between a discount contract and an organization that already seems to be looking toward the future, without him.
For Montembeault, it is more and more obvious that his future does not take shape in Montreal. And this truth, as painful as it is, is the result of disastrous management, both on a contractual and sporting level.
If Dobes delivers another exceptional performance, like in his last shutout, the rumors surrounding Montembeault’s future are likely to intensify.
With Jacob Fowler potentially joining the organization next season, the lack of a no-trade clause in Montembeault’s contract becomes a major problem.
In Denver, some do not hesitate to describe this situation as an “avoidable tragedy”, pointing the finger at his agent, Paul Corbeil, for his questionable management of the negotiations.
Paul Corbeil, who recently defended his client’s contract by affirming that it was a good agreement for Samuel and for the Canadian, must today regret his words.
This contract, now seen as a monumental error, places Montembeault in a precarious position. If the CH decides to make room for Dobee and Fowler, Montembeault could find himself on the exchange market, without any protection to choose his next destination.
In Denver, Montembeault’s story has become an example of the pitfalls of poor contractual management.
The Avalanche, who replaced both goaltenders midway through the season, showed they were willing to invest in solving their goaltending woes.
In Montreal, this ambition seems to be lacking, at least in the way the organization manages the careers of its key players.
For Montembeault, the future in Montreal seems increasingly unclear. With Dobee shining and Fowler on hold, it’s hard to imagine that the Quebecer can finish his three-year contract with the Habs.
Worse still, the lack of a no-trade clause means he could be traded at any time, perhaps even to a team with no real ambitions, which could further tarnish his career.
In conclusion, while the Avalanche continues to bank on Blackwood as the cornerstone of its future success, Montembeault’s situation is a cruel reminder that in the NHL, everything depends on the details.
In Denver, we wonder how such a talented goalkeeper could end up with such a mediocre contract.
In Montreal, we hope that this lesson will be used to avoid repeating the same mistakes with future generations.
But for Montembeault, regrets and uncertainty are now there.
And unfortunately for him, all this was written in the sky.
