Goaltending remained the central narrative for the Montreal Canadiens throughout the 2025-26 campaign, and the focus on the crease is poised to intensify as the team looks toward the 2026-27 season. Yet, the landscape has shifted dramatically, presenting a completely new set of questions compared to the previous year.
Jakub Dobes solidified his standing as a legitimate NHL-caliber goaltender, carrying his strong momentum into the postseason. Meanwhile, Jacob Fowler received his first substantial taste of NHL competition, reinforcing why he is regarded as one of the franchise’s most promising young assets. On the other hand, Samuel Montembeault faced a challenging reversal of fortune, struggling to hold his position after starting the season as the team’s undisputed number one.
With three viable goaltenders vying for NHL starts, Montreal finds itself at a crucial juncture. As Dobes appears poised to enter training camp with the inside track to the top role, how the coaching staff and management distribute playing time will be one of the most compelling subplots of the preseason.
Jakub Dobes: The Emerging Franchise Cornerstone
Few players enhanced their market value more over the course of the 2025-26 season than Dobes. The 25-year-old netminder delivered an outstanding regular season, posting an impressive 29-10-4 record. Crucially, when the Canadiens needed a stabilizing force to take command of the crease, Dobes stepped up. His stellar performance in the latter half of the season ultimately propelled him past Montembeault on the organization’s depth chart.
His momentum carried seamlessly into the postseason, where Dobes compiled a 9-6-4 record alongside a 2.66 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage. While these statistics are respectable, his true impact extended far beyond the box score. Dobes displayed a level of poise and comfort in high-pressure situations, proving he is fully capable of handling the immense responsibility of serving as the Canadiens’ primary goaltender during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Following the signing of a new contract over the summer, Dobes enters the 2026-27 campaign in a vastly different role. He is no longer merely seeking to prove his worth at the NHL level; he now has a golden opportunity to cement himself as Montreal’s long-term solution in goal. The primary challenge ahead will be demonstrating that his previous success was not merely an isolated breakout season. With just 59 career regular-season NHL appearances to his name, there remains a wealth of untapped potential and areas for growth. However, if he can replicate and build upon the standard he set last season and during the playoffs, the Canadiens may have already secured their franchise goaltender of the future.
Jacob Fowler: The High-Potential Wildcard
Fowler represents the most intriguing wildcard in Montreal’s goaltending equation. For years, the organization has lauded him as one of their premier prospect assets, and his initial extended stint at the NHL level did nothing to diminish that high regard. He concluded the 2025-26 season with a solid 9-6-2 record, backed by a 2.43 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage. For a young netminder transitioning to the highest level, these metrics are highly encouraging and speak volumes about his readiness.
Fowler is sufficiently close to the NHL level that he could realistically secure a roster spot straight out of training camp. However, the Canadiens do not feel pressured to rush his development. If Dobes solidifies his role as the undisputed starter, the front office will need to carefully evaluate whether Fowler is best utilized as a reliable backup in Montreal or if his development would be better accelerated through more frequent ice time with the Laval Rocket in the AHL.
How he performs during the upcoming training camp will heavily influence this crucial decision-making process. While his long-term potential is evident, Fowler has consistently progressed at every stage of his development. The 2026-27 season could mark his transition into a full-time NHL role. Ultimately, a goaltending duo featuring Dobes and Fowler would provide Montreal with one of the most dynamic and youthful tandems in the entire league.
Samuel Montembeault: The Veteran Competitor
Montembeault finds himself entering training camp in uncharted territory. After several seasons of solidifying his status as the team’s primary starter, his struggles during the 2025-26 campaign inadvertently created an opening for both Dobes and Fowler to rise. By the conclusion of the season, the Canadiens’ goaltending hierarchy had undergone a complete transformation.
That being said, Montembeault should not be written off just yet. Retaining significant NHL experience that surpasses both of his younger counterparts, he remains a valuable asset within the organization. A standout performance in training camp could easily propel him back into the starting conversation, particularly if the coaching staff decides Fowler would benefit more from a heavy workload in the AHL than serving in a backup capacity in the NHL.
Nevertheless, Montembeault has much left to prove. With two hungry younger goaltenders pushing aggressively for top-tier opportunities, the margin for error is incredibly slim, and there is minimal tolerance for another extended period of inconsistent performance.
Montreal currently benefits from not needing to force an immediate, long-term commitment. The ideal scenario for the organization involves Dobes taking another major step forward to claim the clear starting role, while Fowler continues his steady progression as the backup. This setup would provide the Canadiens with a dynamic, youthful goaltending duo capable of evolving in tandem with the rest of their emerging core.
