Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault and general manager Kent Hughes spoke following an announcement of a three-year contract extension.
On Friday morning, the Montreal Canadiens announced a three-year contract extension with Sam Montembeault that carries a $3.15-million cap hit starting in 2024-25. His expiring deal paid was worth $1-million this season.
"I was really happy when we started the negotiations and to be able to extend for another three years in Montreal. I like it here a lot and to be able to settle this contract is really good news for me," Montembeault commented on Saturday.
"The negotiations were very positive. Sam wanted to be here and from our end we told him that we wanted him to stay here, so it was just a question to determine the amount and the number of years," Kent Hughes described the process.
Constant Progression
Montembeault is in his third season with the organization after being claimed off waivers from the Florida Panthers on October 2nd, 2021.
"From the time that I was picked up on waivers by Montreal, I've liked my progression a lot. I work really well and have a good relationship with [Eric Raymond]. He's helped me improve a lot. We work hard and do a lot of reps so when the game starts, it becomes automatic and I know the job Ineed to do," he evaluated the support by his goalie coach.
Since joining the Canadiens, Montembeault’s goals-against-average and save percentage have improved season over season. "Something I did better starting last year is being more consistent and that's something I need to keep doing moving forward. Every time they give me the call, I need to be ready and give the team a chance to win."
Hughes agrees with the Becancour, QC. native's evaluation but feels that it's harder to project a goalie's future consistency versus a skater. "In Sam's case, we see consistency in his progression and we're confident that he will continue that way, but he also has to continue that way."
Future Number One?
At the conclusion of the 2022-23 season, the 27-year-old was Team Canada’s starter at the World Championships where he registered 6-1 record,1.42 goals against average and .939 save percentage in the country’s gold medal victory.
After bad performances during the preseason, Montembeault has 5-3-1 record, 2.73 goals against average and .910 save percentage in 10 games since the start of the season.
The question marks remain whether he has what it takes to be the number one goalie when the team is ready to compete or whether he will keep the crease warm for the next three seasons until someone else is found.
According to Hughes, the goalie's future will determine that. "If Sam is able to continue the way that he's started this season and continue this way in future years, we are happy if this is his ceiling. He's reached the status of number one goalie in the NHL for his efficiency on five-on-five."
Through Friday's results, Montebeault was fourth in the league with .934 even strength save percentage (minimum 300 minutes) behind only Charlie Lindgren, Thatcher Demko and Adin Hill.
Be sure to bookmark THN.com/Montreal for year-round coverage of the Montreal Canadiens, Laval Rocket, and Habs prospects playing in leagues around the world.
