For what feels like an eternity, the conversation surrounding the Montreal Canadiens has invariably circled back to the crease. Since the twilight of Carey Price’s legendary career, the six-foot-three space between the pipes has been a source of anxiety, debate, and perpetual uncertainty. Who is the guy? Who can handle the pressure cooker of the Bell Centre? Who can steal a game, a series, a season?
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For years, the answer was a shrug. Today, as we look ahead to the 2025-26 NHL season, the answer is not only clear but surprisingly deep. The Canadiens, through shrewd waiver claims, patient drafting, and savvy development, have quietly constructed a goaltending depth chart that is the envy of many teams in the league. The era of uncertainty is over. In its place stands a stable present, a promising understudy, and a pipeline brimming with future potential.
What was once the team’s most glaring question mark has become a quiet fortress.
Monty’s Mountain: The Unlikely Rise of a Hometown Hero
In the often-turbulent world of Montreal hockey, Samuel Montembeault has become the eye of the storm. Plucked off waivers from the Florida Panthers in 2021, he was seen as little more than a stop-gap, a warm body to fill a roster spot. Today, he is the undisputed, bona fide number one goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens, and he’s earned every bit of it.
The narrative is almost cinematic. A local kid from Bécancour, Quebec, who grew into the starting role for the team he grew up idolizing. But this isn’t just a feel-good story; it’s a story of legitimate, high-end performance.
Let’s look at the resume. In December 2023, General Manager Kent Hughes rewarded Montembeault’s ascent with a three-year, $9.45 million contract extension—a clear statement of belief. Then, Montembeault went out and proved it was a bargain. In the 2024-25 campaign, he was nothing short of spectacular for a young, developing team. Across 62 appearances, he posted a respectable 2.82 goals-against average (GAA) and a .901 save percentage.
But traditional stats don’t tell the whole story. The advanced metrics do. Last season, Montembeault finished third in the entire NHL in Goals Saved Above Expected with a staggering +31. Let that sink in. That’s not just good; it’s elite territory, the kind of performance that single-handedly steals games and drags a young roster into the postseason.
His international performance only cements his status. Starting for Team Canada at the 2023 World Championships, he was a brick wall, posting a 1.42 GAA and a .939 save percentage on the way to a gold medal. He has proven he can handle the brightest lights.
At 28 years old, Montembeault is squarely in his prime. His style is exactly what this Canadiens team needs. He’s not the acrobatic, high-risk, high-reward goalie of yesteryear. He is a bastion of composure, relying on sound positioning, excellent rebound control, and a calming presence that instills confidence in the skaters in front of him. He is the anchor, the steady hand, the man who climbed the mountain and now stands firmly at its peak.
The Cool Hand: Is Jakub Dobeš Ready for the Spotlight?
Behind every great starter is a capable backup, and the Canadiens believe they have their man in Jakub Dobeš. The organization put its money where its mouth is this summer, signing the 24-year-old to a two-year, $1.93 million deal, signaling their confidence that he is ready to graduate to a full-time NHL role.
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Dobeš got his first real taste of the show last season, and he didn’t look out of place. In 16 games, he compiled a solid 7-4-3 record, complemented by a 2.74 GAA and a .909 save percentage. More importantly, he showed the one intangible you can’t teach: poise. For a young netminder with limited NHL experience, Dobeš’s composure was his defining trait. He never looked rattled, a quality that earned him the trust of the coaching staff and his teammates.
That trust was on full display in the playoffs when he was given the start for Games 4 and 5 against the veteran-laden Washington Capitals. While the outcome wasn’t what the team hoped for, the experience was invaluable. It was a clear message: we believe you can handle this.
Of course, he won’t be handed the job. The recent signing of Kaapo Kahkonen to a one-year, one-way contract ensures there will be competition in training camp. Kahkonen is coming off a season where he saw significant action in the AHL, playing 36 regular-season games and another 18 in the playoffs for the Charlotte Checkers. He’ll push for the job, but all signs point to the backup role being Dobeš’s to lose. The Canadiens are banking on his development, and all he’s done so far is reward their faith.
An Embarrassment of Riches: A Look Inside the Goaltending Pipeline
This is where the Canadiens’ situation goes from good to great. For years, the prospect cupboard in net was bare. Now, it’s overflowing. The organization has assembled a deep, diverse, and talented group of young goaltenders, giving them the ultimate luxury: patience. There is no need to rush anyone’s development, a mistake that has derailed countless careers.
Here’s a look at the future unfolding at every level:
The Next Wave (AHL/KHL): Two names stand out as being closest to making the jump: Jacob Fowler and Yevgeni Volokhin. Fowler, coming off a stellar college career, is expected to take the reins for the Laval Rocket in the AHL. His challenge will be adjusting to the grueling pace of the professional game—the back-to-backs, the travel, the sheer volume of shots. He possesses the technical skill and big-game mentality to thrive. Volokhin will continue his seasoning in Russia’s KHL, one of the best leagues in the world. The goal for him is simple: earn the starter’s net and prove he can handle a heavy workload against elite competition before making the transition to North America.
The Collegiate Corps (NCAA): The Canadiens have strategically placed several prospects in the NCAA, a proven development path for goaltenders. Emmett Croteau, a towering 6-foot-4 netminder at Dartmouth, is entering his crucial third season. The focus will be on honing his lateral quickness and puck control to match his elite size. Joining the powerhouse program at the University of Denver is Quentin Miller. His first year will be about adaptation and refining his fundamentals under a top-tier coaching staff. Further down the timeline is Alexis Cournoyer, committed to Cornell for this season. He’s a longer-term project, but his placement in a structured, defensively sound program is ideal for his development.
The Foundation (QMJHL): The youngest of the bunch, Arseni Radkov, will be getting his reps in the QMJHL with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. For him, the goal is simply to play—to see pucks, to learn the angles, and to build the foundational game sense that will serve him for the next decade.
A Clear View from the Crease
The bottom line is this: for the first time in the post-Price era, the Montreal Canadiens have a clear and optimistic view from their crease. They have a prime-aged, elite-performing starter in Samuel Montembeault who is locked in for the foreseeable future. They have a poised and promising backup in Jakub Dobeš who is ready for a larger role. And they have a deep, staggered pipeline of prospects developing across the globe, ensuring that the fortress will remain well-guarded for years to come.
It’s a far cry from the days of waiver-wire carousels and hopeful gambles. The Canadiens’ management team has built a model of stability and future growth in the most important position on the ice. Fans can finally stop asking “who’s next?” and start enjoying the answer.
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