Samuel Montembeault seems intent on dethroning Jake Allen
Quebec goalie Samuel Montembeault has been a member of the Montreal Canadiens for exactly one week now. The 24-year-old goaltender was claimed in the draft from the Florida Panthers, who chose to move on with the spectacular Spencer Knight and the overpaid Sergei Bobrovsky.
Montembeault has just been given a golden opportunity to prove that he belongs in the NHL. Carey Price will be out indefinitely due to personal issues.
Jake Allen will have the mandate to fill the starting goaltender role, while Montembeault will be the one to back him up for the time being. With this opportunity in front of him, Montembeault doesn't intend to be just a visitor. He wants to become the Habs' number two goalie. He's here to make his mark.
As he so eloquently put it, he doesn't wish anyone ill, but he'll do whatever it takes to become the team's number two goalie in his own right, whether Carey Price is there or not.
"I don't wish bad luck on anyone obviously, but I have to take this opportunity and show that I can be the second goalie"
Was this an indirect way of telling Jake Allen that he was going to try to blow his mind? Who knows? Maybe Montembeault will be solid after all. He's bound to make some tough decisions for the Habs, could he dethrone Jake Allen? I don't think so, but he could increase his value on the market for a potential trade when Price returns.
One thing is for sure, even if Price is out, the team's ultimate goal will be to win hockey games.
"Whether Carey is here or not, the goal is to give the team a chance to win every game," continued the 24-year-old goaltender, who is expected to serve as Jake Allen's backup to start the season on Wednesday, Oct. 13 against the Maple Leafs in Toronto.
Montembeault has come up with a quick fix to avoid bad public opinion. He will stick to this game plan.
"I'm excited to play for the Habs," said Montembeault, who is now waiting for his new Tricolore goalie mask. "I only have to perform well and like that, there will be no bad comments."
I have to admit that I really like his attitude. He doesn't plan on coming here as a spectator, a mentality to address. There are a lot of goalies on the Canadiens' roster, so if Montembeault wants to stay in Montreal, he's going to have to put in the hard work to get his feet wet.
