The Montreal Canadiens announced a three-year contract extension for starting goaltender Samuel Montembeault on Friday. After talks between his agent and the Habs have been ongoing in recent weeks, the news came out.
The deal contains a cap hit of $3.15 million and does not include any trade protection. It breaks down as follows:
2024-25: $3 million salary, $1 million signing bonus
2025-26: $3 million salary
2026-27: $2.45 million salary
Up to today, rumours had been mentioned for some time that Samuel wanted to stay in Montreal. The Becancour, Quebec native was included in other speculation that he may be traded, especially when scouts and management from Edmonton have visited games when all three Montreal goalies have played recently. Now, that trade speculation will fall on Jake Allen and Cayden Primeau.
Montembeault has a 5-3-1 record in ten games so far this season with a 2.73 GAA and a .910 SV%. That leads all Canadiens goaltenders in wins, goals against, and save percentage so far. All three of Montreal’s netminders are now signed through at least next season and it will be interesting to see if this contract now spurs a trade of one of the other two.
