NHL Notebook: Habs sign Samuel Montembeault to three-year deal, Flames trade Nikita Zadorov to Canucks, and Corey Perry issues apology
By Zach Laing
7 months agoThe Montreal Canadiens signed goaltender Samuel Montembeault to a three-year contract extension Friday morning, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported.
The pact will pay the 27-year-old $3.15 million each year, Servalli added.
Montembeault, a native of Bécancour, Quebec, was selected by the Florida Panthers in the third round of the 2015 draft, playing 25 games in south Florida.
However, when he hit the waiver wire in October 2021, the Habs quickly put in a claim and brought him to his home province. He joined the NHL club immediately, and over the 2021-22 and 2022-23 campaigns, he posted a combined 24-37-9 record, .897 save percentage and 3.58 GAA, with a miserable 22 goals saved under average.
Much of those struggles came in his first year, and this season has seen him take a notable step forward in his first ten games, going 5-3-1 with a .910 save percentage, and a 2.73 GAA while stopping 2.2 goals above average.
Montreal has carried three goalies through this young season, with their new signee sharing the workload with Jake Allen and Cayden Primeau.
Seravalli released his first Trade Targets article on Thursday, where he detailed Allen and Primeau as No. 6 on his list:
The Canadiens know that they can’t continue on carrying three goaltenders all season. They’ve avoided placing Primeau on waivers because they know he has no chance of clearing. So, they’re trying to extract as much value as possible from the situation and will be proactive about it sooner rather than later. Allen is a calming veteran influence and well-respected teammate and tandem-mate. Primeau has been jostled around a bit but is finding his confidence and has the tools to be an impact netminder. It’s way less likely, but not impossible, that Sam Montembeault is on the move – but only if the Canadiens feel they can’t get him extended.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see a move shake out sooner rather than later, and with the Oilers in the market for a netminder and scouting a game between the Habs and Columbus Blue Jackets earlier this week, one has to wonder if Ken Holland, Jeff Jackson and co. could pull the trigger on a deal. The more likely outcome is the club recalling Jack Campbell after these five days of no games to see if he has found his game again.
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Flames flip Zadorov to Canucks
One of the first trades of significance shook out on Thursday afternoon, with the Calgary Flames trading disgruntled defenceman Nikita Zadorov to the Vancouver Canucks.
Zadorov, who publically requested his trade through his agent weeks ago, returned the Flames a third-round pick in 2026 and a conditional 2024 5th-round draft pick. The condition of the trade will see the Flames receive the higher of 5th-round picks owned by the Chicago Blackhawks.
The move for the Canucks comes days after the club traded forward Anthony Beauvillier and his $4.15-million salary to the Blackhawks for that conditional fifth-round pick.
Reports suggested the Flames had other suitors, namely the Toronto Maple Leafs, but Calgary didn’t want to retain any of Zadorov’s $3.75 million. With an ability to retain salary on only three contracts per year, the Flames allowed themselves the possibility to eat money on potential trades of Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev, each who make under $5 million and are slated for unrestricted free agency this summer.
The move will allow the Flames to maximize returns on the trade market and for more potential suitors to enter the conversation for either of the three.
Lindholm, Hanifin and Tanev were each in Seravalli’s top five Trade Targets, with Zadorov fourth.
Perry issues apology
Embattled winger Corey Perry issued a public apology Thursday for his actions that led to his termination from the Chicago Blackhawks earlier this week, saying he would be seeking treatment from mental health and substance abuse experts.
Perry said he was deeply sorry and would do so to “discuss (his) struggles with alcohol,” and to ensure “this never happens again.”
“I hope to regain the trust and respect of everyone who has believed in me throughout my career,” he added.
The 38-year-old was allegedly involved in an alcohol-fueled incident during a function that included corporate sponsors of the Blackhawks, and team employees.
“I would like to sincerely apologize to the entire Chicago Blackhawks organization, including ownership, management, coaches, trainers, employees, and my teammates,” his statement read. “I would also like to apologize to my fans, and my family. I am embarrassed and I have let you all down.
“As a result of my actions, there has been speculation and rumors. I am sickened by the impact this has had on others, and I want to make it clear that in no way did this situation involve any of my teammates or their families. Most importantly, I want to directly apologize to those who have been negatively affected and I am sorry for the additional impact to others it has created. My behavior was inappropriate and wrong.
“I have started working with experts in the mental health and substance abuse fields to discuss my struggles with alcohol and I will take whatever steps necessary to ensure this never happens again. I hope to regain the trust and respect of everyone who has believed in me throughout my
career.”
career.”
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.
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