Samuel Montembeault stopped 34 of 35 shots across three preseason appearances, securing his place on the Montreal Canadiens roster as training camp concluded ahead of the NHL season opening.
Samuel Montembeault Secures Roster Spot After Strong Preseason
The Montreal Canadiens avoided a three-goaltender logjam by assigning young netminder Jacob Fowler to the AHL’s Rocket de Laval ahead of the regular season, clearing the path for Samuel Montembeault to remain with the NHL club, according to Rumeurs de Transaction. The decision comes after a dominant preseason where Montembeault allowed just one goal on 35 shots over three appearances. His final tune-up featured a flawless relief performance against an Ottawa Senators split squad at the Centre Bell on Saturday, where he stopped all 13 shots he faced after replacing Fowler midway through the second period.
Earlier in the camp, the goaltender played a little over 31 minutes against the Toronto Maple Leafs, stopping all 13 shots he faced, and logged approximately 30 minutes against the Senators in Trois-Rivières, allowing one goal on eight shots.
“C’est un nouveau départ,” Montembeault told reporters in the Canadiens locker room, as quoted by NHL.com. “On recommence avec des zéros partout. J’ai connu un bon camp, mais la saison s’ouvrira mardi. Ça repartira à zéro encore une fois.”
Montembeault Resets After a Challenging Previous Campaign
The strong camp acts as a vital reset for the 29-year-old goaltender following a challenging previous campaign. Despite those hurdles, management maintained support while balancing the development of their rising prospects.
Teammate Phillip Danault noted the hard work Montembeault invested to right the ship. “Sam sait qu’il n’a pas eu beaucoup de chance l’an dernier,” Danault told NHL.com following Saturday’s 4-2 victory over Ottawa. “Mais il est arrivé à ce camp prêt.”
Roster Decisions and Assignment of Young Prospects
While retaining Montembeault solved the immediate goaltending puzzle, Canadiens management faced difficult choices regarding other high-profile prospects. Rumeurs de Transaction reported that defenseman David Reinbacher was returned to Laval despite a strong training camp that saw him benefit from opportunities opened by Kaiden Guhle’s injury. The organization opted for a patient approach with the young blueliner, ensuring he receives heavy minutes in the American Hockey League rather than sitting as a spare part in Montreal. Laval represents a close environment for both Fowler and Reinbacher to continue developing, with potential recalls possible should injuries occur during the long season.
Forward Owen Beck is expected to return to the minor league affiliate, while general manager Kent Hughes and executive vice president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton are still evaluating other camp standouts like Florian Xhekaj.
Fan Connection and Community Roots in Quebec
Ledroit.com highlighted Montembeault’s unique value to the franchise beyond statistics, noting his deep roots in Bécancour and his active role as a cultural ambassador for the team throughout its rebuilding phase. Originally claimed off waivers from the Florida Panthers by Marc Bergevin prior to the 2021-2022 season, he arrived as insurance following health concerns for Carey Price. During a difficult era for the organization spanning from 2021 to 2024, Montembeault absorbed a heavy workload, recording 40 victories across 119 games while playing behind a rebuilding roster.
That connection was fully on display Saturday when Centre Bell supporters erupted in cheers as he turned aside high-danger scoring chances from Ottawa’s Kasper Halttunen, Philip Tomasino, and Jaxon Cover during a penalty kill. Following the fourth save, Mike Matheson playfully tapped the goaltender on the head. Montembeault remarked that his previous appearance at the Centre Bell had taken place on February 26, 2026, in a 4-3 overtime loss against the New York Islanders.
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