One of the main storylines hitting the Montreal Canadiens this season has been their goaltending situation. The Habs entered the season with a potentially solid tandem in Samuel Montembeault and Jakub Dobes. While Dobes has held up his end of the bargain, Montembeault has struggled to keep up.
Montembeault’s struggles have gotten to the point where he’s fallen off the radar for Team Canada’s 2026 Olympic roster. Various reasons could explain Montembeault’s struggles. Regardless of them, the Canadiens have seen the need to give Montembeault a reset.
The Canadiens called up Jacob Fowler. However, the 21-year-old has shown mixed results in his two appearances. He allowed two goals in his debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 11, and then fell flat against the New York Rangers last Saturday night, surrendering five.
Speaking precisely of the Penguins, the Canadiens could find help for their goalie situation in Pittsburgh. Namely, Stuart Skinner, who’s just arrived, could be a viable alternative for the Habs.
The word is that the Penguins could be looking to flip Skinner if the right offer comes along. That makes sense as the Penguins have three young netminders likely ahead of Skinner in their depth chart.
So, why not take a chance on Skinner this season? The former Oiler is by far more experienced than Montembeault and Dobes combined. Skinner can provide stability, even if it comes with unspectacular play. The only downside, however, could be the price tag attached the Skinner.
Cost to Acquire Skinner
So, acquiring Stuart Skinner wouldn’t be quite so easy. The price tag for Skinner has to be high, considering the lack of goalies available on the market. Aside from the Buffalo Sabres, the Penguins are really the only team with goalies to spare at the moment.
That situation means Skinner could cost the Canadiens a first-round pick. As hyperbolic as that may sound, the Penguins won’t be beating around the bush. They know they’ve got an asset that other teams could want. That’s why the Penguins could drive up the price to take advantage of demand.
In addition to a first-rounder, the Penguins may be looking for a prospect. While said prospect may not necessarily be a high-end one, the Pens could be targeting a forward. Well, for a rebuilding team, getting any solid prospect is worth the while.
Based on the price tag, Canadiens GM Kent Hughes would do well to kick the tires on Skinner. But ultimately, he may choose to pass.
Canadiens Would Still Have to Re-Sign Skinner
Acquiring Skinner is one thing. The other part of the equation is that Skinner will be a UFA next summer. Since it’s unlikely that the Penguins will re-sign Skinner, the netminder could just go to market in the offseason.
That situation for the Canadiens also means having to re-sign Skinner. His current cap hit is $2.6 million. Upon re-signing him, how much would he be worth? Moreover, what does the term on his next deal look like?
Skinner is 27. So, does he take a one or two-year, show-me deal to prove he’s worth a long-term contract?
Meanwhile, Montembeault is in the second year of a three-year deal with a cap hit of $3.15 million. That cap hit almost certainly precludes the Canadiens from keeping both Skinner and Montembeault, even if it’s for one season.
Bringing in Stuart Skinner makes sense for the Habs. But to do so, they’ll first have to figure out what to do about Montembeault. And therein lies a complex situation.
Canadiens Could Find Goalie Help in Pittsburgh