Samuel Montembeault has solidified his place in the NHL this season. Maybe it will be as a #1, maybe it will be as a #2, but he is definitely a National League goalie. For now, he's on a great contract that Kent Hughes gave him last summer. 1 million dollars a year until the summer of 2024. At that point, he will be an unrestricted free agent. Obviously, the CH will be able to negotiate with Montembeault this summer. And it might not be a bad idea to try to convince him to stay as soon as possible. Because if he continues to play this way, he will become more and more expensive as time goes on. And that's why Philippe Boucher would try the big move. A 4 year, $10 million contract. That gives us an average of $2.5 million per season, which is very reasonable for a #2 goalie, and it gives Montembeault good financial security. Here is what Boucher had to say on JiC Friday night on TVA Sports: <q>Before I look elsewhere, I would put my energy on Montembeault (...) a small sentimental offer, you like it playing in Montreal, a small $10 million for four years, if I were Kent Hughes, I'd give it a try</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/TVASports/status/1639424818205401088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'> </a></blockquote></div> And it makes sense. Montembeault likes being in Montreal. He's not immune to injury or a bad season in 2023-2024, and he could make sure he doesn't think about contract negotiations again until the summer of 2028. He can also choose to build on himself and try to recreate his current season, but with a better team in front of him (and fewer injuries), which could lead to better results and better stats. If he performs the way he is right now for two seasons in a row, his value will definitely increase. But as Boucher mentions, Kent Hughes loses absolutely nothing by trying.