Trade Involving Montreal Canadiens' Goalie Samuel Montembeault? Renaud Lavoie Confirms We Can Forget That Idea

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Elliot Ben Jacob
November 13, 2023 (7:05 PM)

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This summer, Kent Hughes mentioned that his plan was to settle the restricted free agents associated with the club before addressing Samuel Montembeault' situation. More than a month into the season, this issue remains unresolved, and the Quebecois goalie is uncertain about his future after this campaign.

In a recent article with the excellent Arpon Basu for The Athletic, it was revealed that the CH had started negotiations with the young goalie's team. While these were in the preliminary stages, Montembeault does not hide his desire for things to become more serious.

"It affects me a bit, but I'm just trying to focus on my game right now. Last year was the first time I signed for two years, so every year before, I always had a one-year contract. But once you're at the UFA, you never know what's going to happen, and I've never been in this situation. If I play well, things will sort themselves out." - Samuel Montembeault

Renaud Lavoie, during a recent appearance on the JiC show on TVA Sports, is categorical.

According to him, Samuel Montembeault is going nowhere. That's it.

To support his statement, he points out that Montembeault has just signed a deal with the IGA grocery chain, and the connection between CH and IGA is strong. If the company has decided to partner with CH and involve Montembeault, it's almost certain they planned it for the long term.

"There's something you saw on our airwaves over the weekend. This advertisement of Montembeault with IGA. IGA is a major sponsor for the Canadiens. You have to make associations." - Renaud Lavoie

Despite an excellent 2022-2023 season, his current campaign start has not met expectations. His lukewarm start, as Jean-Charles Lajoie says, could prompt CH to conclude the deal quickly to sign the goalie at a better price.

Now, it remains to be seen what the CH's plans are with their goalies, as there are many in the organization. Indeed, Jacob Fowler is having an excellent start to the season in the NCAA, Jakub Dobes is doing quite well despite a completely disorganized Rocket, and Cayden Primeau is still in Montreal.

One thing is certain, as Lavoie mentions, the love is mutual between the Quebecois goalie and the Montreal organization.

"Samuel loves the Canadiens, and the Canadiens really like Samuel." - Renaud Lavoie

In 5 starts this season, Sam has accumulated a record of 2-2-1, with a goals-against average of 3.32 and a save percentage of 0.894. There's definitely room for improvement.