Sam Montembeault’s Competition for the 2026 Olympic Team

We have roughly a year for the next Winter Olympics in Italy. The Four Nations was a proving ground for it but some players didn’t get to show their stuff. Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault is one of them. So, what are his chances of making the team next winter? This is my take barring injury.

I am going to take Logan Thompson out of the equation for now unless there is a Canadian coach who will sing his praises. So far, that hasn’t happened. 

Jordan Binnington is a lock and Adin Hill presumably too. To me, the next goalie worth exploring is Joel Hofer. Just for argument's sake, I think the Blues may trade Binnington because they have to give Hofer a long-term deal after his RFA year expires next season. 

Hofer has had a good regular season considering the Blues are not a playoff team. They are stuck in the mushy middle and are ripe for a re-set. Hofer, 25, looks like their goalie of the future. He has a .903 save percentage with a 2.88 goals-against average with one shutout. Stuart Skinner has a 2.81 goals against average but only an .898. Today, I would put Hofer ahead of Skinner and Montembeault. 

There could be a young Canadian goals that gets in the mix. Not sure who that is today. I'll monitor that for sure.

Loose Pucks: 

Owen Beck has been recalled to the Canadiens and he's looking for his first NHL point. Let's see how this call up goes and if he can show a bit more than he did last time. He's still a prospect so there's still time for him to develop.