Samuel Montembeault’s Olympic dream is slipping away - and at this point, it might already be gone.
Not long ago, Montembeault looked like he was in the driver’s seat to represent Team Canada at the upcoming Olympic Games. He was one of just three goaltenders invited to Canada’s preparation camp back in August, alongside Jordan Binnington and Adin Hill.
That invite wasn’t just symbolic - it strongly suggested he was being seriously considered for a roster spot. But fast forward a few months, and the picture has changed dramatically.
According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, Montembeault’s name wasn’t even mentioned when discussing Canada’s current goaltending outlook. Instead, Friedman pointed to Binnington and Logan Thompson as frontrunners, while also floating Scott Wedgewood as someone who could thrive behind a strong defensive core.
The omission of Montembeault speaks volumes. If he was still in the mix, his name would’ve come up - plain and simple.
So what happened?
Montembeault’s rocky start to the season hasn’t helped. In a year where consistency and momentum were critical for Olympic consideration, he’s struggled to find his footing.
That’s opened the door for other goaltenders to climb the depth chart. Names like Wedgewood, Thompson, MacKenzie Blackwood, Jet Greaves, and of course, Adin Hill, have all gained traction.
Some are playing behind better teams, some are simply outperforming expectations - but the result is the same: Montembeault’s stock has dropped.
It’s a tough break for a goalie who, not long ago, was seen as a rising option for Canada. His performance last season and his inclusion in the summer camp suggested he was on the cusp of breaking through. But with the Olympic roster taking shape and the competition heating up, there’s little room for error - and even less room for a slow start.
Unless something dramatic changes in the coming months - and that would take a serious turnaround - Montembeault looks like the odd man out. The Olympic window is small, and for now, it appears to have closed on him.