Samuel Montembeault is heading into next season as the Montreal Canadiens' clear starting goalie. The 28-year-old is coming off a solid 2024-25 campaign, as he posted a 31-24-7 record, a .902 save percentage, a 2.82 goals-against average, and four shutouts in 62 games. With this, he was certainly a reason why the Canadiens made the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
Yet, when it comes to the Canadiens' backup goalie position, that is where things get more interesting. With the team signing Kaapo Kahkonen to a one-year, $1.15 million contract, there will now be a goalie battle to watch between him and Jakub Dobes at training camp for the backup spot.
Kahkonen, 28, spent most of this season down in the American Hockey League (AHL). In 36 regular-season games split between the Colorado Eagles, Manitoba Moose, and Charlotte Checkers, he had a 14-20-1 record, a .894 save percentage, and a 2.91 goals-against average. He also played in 18 playoff games for the Checkers this spring, where he had a 12-6 record, a .906 save percentage, and a 2.18 goals-against average.
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Although Kahkonen appeared in just one NHL game this past season, he has a good amount of experience as a backup at the NHL level. In 140 career games over six seasons split between the Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks, New Jersey Devils, and Colorado Avalanche, he has posted a 49-68-15 record, a .898 save percentage, and a 3.34 goals-against average. Thus, if the Canadiens want more experience for the backup role and to let Dobes develop his game more in the AHL, they could start the year with Kahkonen.
However, Dobes demonstrated plenty of promise during his first NHL action this season with the Canadiens. In 16 games with Montreal on the year, he posted a 7-4-3 record, a .909 save percentage, a 2.74 goals-against average, and one shutout. He also performed well while in the AHL with the Laval Rocket this campaign, recording a 9-3-1 record, a .910 save percentage, and a 2.44 goals-against average in 14 games.
It is fair to argue that Dobes has a good shot at winning the Canadiens' backup goalie spot. Yet, with the Canadiens bringing in an experienced goalie like Kahkonen, Dobes will need to earn the role with a strong training camp.
Photo Credit: © Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
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