Fowler’s Aspirations and Montembeault’s Challenges
“I want to be a Montreal Canadien. As long as I can and as soon as I can,” stated Jacob Fowler, who has recently been called up to the NHL. This move comes as Samuel Montembeault has struggled this season, leading to a reliance on Jakub Dobes, who has a 2.97 GAA and an .892 SV% in 31 games this season.
Montembeault, who had high hopes at the start of the season to take over the starting role full-time, now finds himself in a precarious position. The Canadiens are currently carrying three goalies: Montembeault, Dobes, and Fowler, with Fowler’s recent performance raising questions about Montembeault’s future.
Decision-Making for the Canadiens
The decision to choose Jacob Fowler over Samuel Montembeault was a difficult one for Martin St-Louis, reflecting the challenges the team faces in goal. Montembeault’s performance in the postseason last year was lackluster, contributing to the current situation where the Canadiens may explore the trade market for him this offseason.
Fowler expressed a desire to remain with the Montreal Canadiens, indicating his commitment to the team. Meanwhile, Montembeault’s cap hit of $3.15 million may be considered steep for a backup netminder, complicating the team’s decision-making process.
Montembeault’s Attitude and Future Prospects
Despite the challenges, Montembeault maintains an exemplary attitude and does not cause distractions for his teammates. “It’s hard. I’m really close to both those guys and you’re rooting for them, but at the end of the day, you want to be in that net every night. It’s part of the job,” Fowler remarked, highlighting the competitive nature of the situation.
As the Canadiens navigate their goaltending situation, details remain unconfirmed regarding how they will proceed with Montembeault’s future. The impact of Fowler’s performance on Montembeault’s future is uncertain, especially with 20 upcoming games that could serve as an audition for Dobes and Fowler.
