The Montreal Canadiens have signed goaltending prospect Sam Montembeault to a three-year, $9.45 million contract extension. Montembeault’s performance with the Canadiens has improved noticeably this season, with a 5-3 record and a solid.910 save percentage in ten appearances. This upward trend follows a.891 save percentage in 2021-22 and a.901 save percentage the previous year.
The extension comes after ongoing discussions throughout the season, during which Montreal considered re-signing or trading the 27-year-old netminder. The Canadiens have been the subject of trade rumors, particularly regarding their crowded crease, which includes Montembeault, Cay Primeau, and Jake Allen. Notably, the team has yet to name a clear starter from the group of three.
According to Sportsnet’s Eric Engels, the newly signed extension for Montembeault does not include trade protection. With all three goaltenders now under contract for the upcoming season, their focus will most likely shift to trading one of them. GM Kent Hughes will also focus on the club’s six pending free agents. Sean Monahan and Tanner Pearson, the only pending UFAs on the roster, stand out.
Montembeault We are pleased to have completed the extension with the Canadiens.
Montembeault expressed relief at the contract’s completion. He stressed his desire to focus on his game without being distracted by contract negotiations. According to CapFriendly, the Canadiens now have $2.42 million in cap space at the trade deadline and $8.1 million in space for the upcoming summer.
The Edmonton Oilers were said to be interested in the Canadiens’ goaltending trio of Montembeault, Allen, and Primeau in November. Edmonton desperately needs assistance in their search for goaltending help. Montembeault was the primary target because he was the only one with an expiring contract. Because he is now firmly established as a key component of Montreal’s goaltending depth, the Oilers will almost certainly have to look elsewhere.
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