A waiver move is suddenly part of the conversation around Samuel Montembeault, and it’s the kind of idea that has Canadiens fans talking.
The scenario back in focus is straightforward: Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton could place Montembeault on waivers and try to send him to the Laval Rocket. On the surface, it would be a clean way to clear up the Canadiens’ crease situation without having to swing a trade.
But that’s where the neat part ends.
The biggest question is whether another team would actually take him. There’s no guarantee Montembeault gets claimed, and that uncertainty is what makes the whole thing tricky for Montreal. His $3.15 million annual salary is part of the problem, especially with less than a year left before he becomes a free agent.
That contract could easily make another club think twice about claiming him for what amounts to a short-term goaltending answer. If he clears, the Canadiens would be left with Montembeault in Laval and nothing coming back the other way.
That’s the headache for Montreal’s front office. It’s a decision with real upside if the waiver route works, but plenty of risk if it doesn’t. With training camp coming fast, this isn’t the kind of situation the Canadiens can put off much longer.
Montembeault is 29, stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 218 pounds. Last season, he went 10-8-4 with a 3.43 goals-against average and an .872 save percentage.
So the question now is simple: if you were making the call, what would you do with Montembeault?
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