Samuel Montembeault's Olympic dream is slipping away - and not quietly, either.
Just a few months ago, the Montreal Canadiens goaltender looked like a near-lock for Team Canada’s Olympic roster. He was one of only three netminders invited to the national team’s preparation camp in August, alongside Jordan Binnington and Adin Hill.
That kind of invite usually signals strong internal confidence - a nod that you’re in the inner circle, if not already penciled in. But fast forward to now, and the picture has changed dramatically.
Montembeault’s name was notably absent when NHL insider Elliotte Friedman recently discussed Canada’s goaltending options for the upcoming Olympic Games. In his update, Friedman mentioned Binnington and Logan Thompson as likely candidates, with Scott Wedgewood also under serious consideration.
Montembeault? Not a word.
That silence speaks volumes.
It’s a tough blow for a goaltender who seemed to be on the rise. But the reality is, his early-season struggles have come at the worst possible time. In a year where every save, every start, and every stat line carries extra weight, Montembeault’s inconsistency has opened the door for others - and Team Canada appears ready to walk through it.
The competition in the crease is fierce. Alongside Binnington and Thompson, names like Wedgewood, MacKenzie Blackwood, Jet Greaves, and of course, Adin Hill, are all in the mix. And while none of them have completely run away with the job, they’ve done enough to leapfrog Montembeault in the pecking order.
It’s not just about raw numbers, either. Olympic goaltending is about trust - can you hold the line when the pressure's at its peak?
Can you be the last line of defense against the world’s best? Right now, it seems Canada’s brass believes others are better suited for that role.
This doesn’t mean Montembeault is finished on the international stage. He’s still young, still talented, and still has plenty of runway in his NHL career.
But when it comes to the 2026 Winter Olympics, the writing’s on the wall. Unless something drastic happens - and quickly - he’s on the outside looking in.
It’s a harsh reality, but one that underscores just how thin the margin for error is when you're chasing a spot on one of the most competitive hockey teams in the world.