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Goalie Done?: ‘Wonder if He’s Played His Last Game for Canadiens’

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | Last updated Mar 14, 2026 4:51 PM ET

The Montreal Canadiens confirmed that Jakub Dobes will get the start tomorrow night against the San Jose Sharks. Tony Marinaro said to Stu Cowan on the latest episode of The Sick Podcast, “Pierre LeBrun was just with me, and he says it’s the right decision. You say what? I agree.”

I’m almost certain we’re going to see Jacob Fowler on Sunday against the Anaheim Ducks.

Cowan added:

“I’m starting to wonder if we’ve seen Samuel Montembeault play his last game for the Canadiens. From the start of the season, Marty and management have done everything they can to try and not hand the No. 1 job to Montembeault, but try to keep it, including the break they gave him before Christmas when he went down to Laval, then he came back, worked with a goaltending coach, and they started him again. He just hasn’t been able to do it.”

Montembeault hasn’t been able to grab the job, despite the chances the Canadiens have given him.

Montembeault May Not Get Another Good Look

With the way Fowler played in Ottawa, and the way Dobes has battled and won games all season — he’s now up to 21 wins (11-1-2 in his last 14) — it’s getting harder to see a path back for Montembeault.

“Unless one of those guys falters, or, knock on wood, suffers an injury, I just don’t see Montembeault getting back in the net.”

The goaltender has this season and next on his contract at an AAV of $3.15 million. If the Canadiens are looking to move off of his contract, it will likely happen at the NHL Entry Draft this summer. There should be interest in the netminder as the cap rises.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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