The New York Rangers are digging around for goaltending help, and Montreal Canadiens netminder Samuel Montembeault has surfaced as one of the names in the mix.
According to Pierre LeBrun and David Pagnotta, New York is testing the market and weighing several options, with John Gibson, Jordan Binnington and Montembeault all on the board. The Rangers want to know what it would take to land Binnington, but they are also looking at Montembeault and Anthony Stolarz.
Their need in net is obvious. Igor Shesterkin, 30, is out for the season with a knee injury, while Joonas Korpisalo remains on injured reserve until at least November 9. Dylan Garand has helped steady things with a .927 save percentage and three wins in six games, but New York still needs another goalie.
Montembeault, 29, has a $3.15 million cap hit and has not played this season.
A move would also have ripple effects in Montreal, where the crease is already crowded. Jacob Fowler has a .900 save percentage through four games, while Jakub Dobes is at .842 through four appearances. The Canadiens, for now, can afford to wait.
Detroit Red Wings goalie John Gibson is another name New York is considering, though his .873 save percentage in six games gives the Rangers another variable to sort through.
There are plenty of moving parts here. Injuries, contract situations and the asking price will all matter. A second-round pick would be a fair return for a 29-year-old goaltender approaching unrestricted free agency next summer.
For Montreal, dealing Montembeault would also ease the three-goalie logjam and create more room for Fowler and Dobes. The Rangers need help.
Montembeault needs a clear path. That’s why this one makes sense.
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