A single question, fired into the heart of Montreal’s hockey universe, has set off shockwaves that refuse to settle. In a studio charged with anticipation, Georges Laraque—known for his fearless presence on the ice—leans into the microphone and asks what everyone is thinking but no one dares to say aloud: “What happened to Montembeault in one year and how do you explain it?” The words hang in the air, heavy and electric, as if they could split the very fabric of the Canadiens’ season.

It’s not just the stats or the headlines; it’s the feeling in the city, the uneasy buzz that follows every mention of Samuel Montembeault. Last spring, he was the hero in net, the Quebecois goaltender who wore the maple leaf for Team Canada, led the Canadiens to the playoffs, and played with a confidence that seemed unbreakable. Now, just months later, fans watch in disbelief as goals slip past him—especially to the glove side—and the narrative shifts from triumph to crisis. How can a goaltender who seemed destined for greatness suddenly look so lost, so vulnerable, in the glare of Montreal’s unforgiving spotlight?

Laraque’s question is more than a critique—it’s a challenge, a dare to dig deeper than numbers and contracts. Montembeault’s three-year, $9.45 million deal was supposed to be an anchor for the team, a sign of stability in a market that demands nothing less than excellence. Instead, it’s become a reminder of expectations unmet, of pressure mounting with every save missed. The transformation is stark: from 31 wins and a .902 save percentage last season, to a record that now reads 5-6-1, a 3.61 goals-against average, and a save percentage at .861. For a city obsessed with its goaltenders, this is not just a slump—it’s a mystery begging to be solved.

Behind the scenes, Montembeault is anything but complacent. He’s the first on the ice in Brossard, grinding through extra sessions, consulting with specialists, searching for answers that seem to slip through his fingers like the puck he’s trying to stop. The effort is there. The will is there. But the results have become a daily debate, dissected by fans and analysts alike. In Montreal, every dip in performance is magnified, every mistake replayed until it becomes legend.

The line between “future starter” and “hot-button issue” is razor-thin, and Laraque’s warning—“they’re going to put him on waivers”—echoes with the kind of urgency that can change careers overnight. Is it fatigue? Is it confidence? Is it something deeper, a trigger hidden in the chaos of a goaltender’s life? The answer remains elusive, and the stakes grow higher with each passing game.

As the Canadiens prepare for another test, the city holds its breath, waiting to see if Montembeault can reclaim the magic that made him a star. For now, the only certainty is uncertainty—and the story of Samuel Montembeault is far from finished. The next chapter could be redemption, or it could be the final act in a saga that has gripped Montreal like few others.

Photo of Georges Laraque and Samuel Montembeault

Photo credit: All Montreal Hockey / NHL

Georges Laraque hit a sensitive nerve in the studio when talking about Samuel Montembeault on BPM Sports.

In the clip circulating, he drops the question that makes many fans jump: “What happened to Montembeault in one year and how do you explain it?” When it comes from a former NHL tough guy, it resonates quickly in a market like Montreal.

“What happened in one year? The guy makes Team Canada, he brings the Canadiens to the playoffs, he plays 60 games, we’re now in December. How can we explain the fact that he’s so lost in less than a year? Psychologically speaking, he’s destroyed. His weak point is the glove side. Have you ever heard that? A shot went past Montembeault, fired to the glove side.

This year, it’s falling apart. But what happened for it to fall apart like that? Normally, there’s a triggering element in your life that causes this. But how is it that in just a few months, this guy can’t stop a beach ball, if you count on one hand?

If he continues like this, they’re going to put him on waivers, because he won’t even be tradable.”

– Georges Laraque

In 2024-2025, Montembeault played 62 games with the Canadiens, recorded 31 wins, and posted a goals-against average of 2.82 with a save percentage of 0.902. This season, after 14 games, he has a record of 5-6-1, an average of 3.61, and a save percentage of 0.861. The numbers alone make it look like a different goaltender.

You also have to add the context of his contract. At 29 years old, the Quebec goaltender has just begun a three-year, $9.45M deal, with a cap hit of $3.15M per season. In short, he is paid like a regular goaltender who must hold down the fort consistently, especially on a team as scrutinized as the Montreal Canadiens.

Samuel Montembeault under the microscope

It is clearly not effort that is lacking. We recently saw Montembeault as the first player on the ice in Brossard, multiplying extra sessions and meeting specialists to adjust his preparation.

Everything points to a guy who refuses to settle for his current status. When you come off a run like that, the slightest dip instantly becomes a sports-radio talking point. That is where Laraque’s question makes complete sense: not to tear down Montembeault, but to illustrate how thin the line is between “future starter” and “hot-button issue” in this market.

One thing is certain: if Samuel Montembeault simply regains last season’s numbers, Georges Laraque’s commentary will quickly shift from shocking segment to mere footnote in his journey.

In Montreal, one year in the crease can feel like an entire career.