Goaltending has always been one of the toughest jobs in hockey—especially in the market where the Montreal Canadiens play. Here, pressure comes with every save. For the Canadiens, the crease has been in flux since the days of Carey Price, with fans waiting for someone to step up and grab the role of reliable No. 1. Now, heading into the 2025–26 season, the team seems to finally have two goalies capable of giving them the kind of stability that can push a roster forward: Samuel Montembeault and Jakub Dobeš.
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Montembeault has quietly matured into a calm, steady starter who thrives under pressure, while Dobeš has emerged as a young goalie who looks ready to grow into a bigger role. Together, they may not be the flashiest tandem in the NHL, but they’re the kind of duo that can carry a team through the grind of an 82-game season—and beyond.
Samuel Montembeault: From Waivers to Foundation Piece
Montembeault’s story with the Canadiens is one of patience, persistence, and quiet growth. Claimed off waivers in 2021, he wasn’t expected to do more than hold the fort. Instead, he earned his spot by working hard and playing with the kind of calm confidence that resonates in a market where every goal is magnified.
What makes Montembeault so special in Montreal is that he’s a local kid who’s proud of playing in Montreal. Growing up in Bécancour, Quebec, he dreamed of playing for the Canadiens. There’s something special about watching a hometown goalie put on the bleu, blanc, et rouge—and fans feel that connection.
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Second, he made the most of his chances, and what fan (of any team) doesn’t love that? Montembeault’s first NHL shutout in 2022 signaled that he was more than just a stopgap. By 2023, he was Canada’s starting goalie at the World Championships, posting a 1.42 goals-against average (GAA) and a .939 save percentage en route to gold. That kind of international success showed his game could hold up against elite competition.
Finally, Montembeault is locked in for the future. In December 2023, Montreal extended his contract for three years at $9.45 million, a sign that they see him as a long-term piece. With nearly 5,000 career saves already as a Habs goalie, he’s entering his prime at 28—exactly when many goalies hit their stride.
Montembeault isn’t the kind of goalie who thrives on acrobatics. Instead, he…
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