Canadiens' Goaltending Strategy Pays Off

Montreal's long-term investment in the position now looks prescient

Apr. 19, 2026 at 1:41pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a hockey goaltender in action, with the figure broken down into overlapping geometric shapes and planes in shades of blue, red, and white.The Canadiens' strategic investment in goaltending prospects has created a deep, flexible pipeline that should provide stability in net for years to come.Denver Today

The Montreal Canadiens have built an impressive goaltending prospect pool over the past several years, drafting a goaltender in every NHL Draft since 2022. This strategy, which initially seemed excessive, has now paid dividends as the team has established stability in net with young talents like Jacob Fowler and Samuel Dobes, while also developing a deep pipeline of goaltending prospects.

Why it matters

The Canadiens' focus on goaltending stands out in a league where teams often struggle to develop and manage the position. By taking a long-term, multi-faceted approach, Montreal has positioned itself well to have high-quality goaltending for years to come, providing a competitive advantage as the team continues its rebuild.

The details

Over the past four drafts, the Canadiens have selected seven goaltenders, including prospects like Jacob Fowler, Emmett Croteau, Quentin Miller, and Yevgeni Volokhin. This mix of players from different leagues and development paths gives the organization flexibility and stability in net, with Fowler and Samuel Dobes now established as the NHL tandem while the other prospects develop at their own pace.

  • Since 2022, the Canadiens have drafted a goaltender in every single NHL Draft.
  • In 2023, the team selected three goaltenders - Fowler, Miller, and Volokhin.
  • Fowler reached the NHL this season, while Croteau, Miller, and Volokhin had standout seasons in their respective leagues.

The players

Jacob Fowler

A top goaltending prospect who reached the NHL this season and is part of the Canadiens' established goaltending tandem.

Samuel Dobes

The other half of the Canadiens' NHL goaltending tandem, providing stability and high-quality play in net.

Emmett Croteau

A sixth-round pick in 2022 who had a dramatic turnaround season at Dartmouth, earning a Mike Richter Award nomination.

Quentin Miller

A Montreal native who made a successful transition from the QMJHL to the University of Denver, earning NCHC Goaltender of the Month honors.

Yevgeni Volokhin

A 20-year-old Russian prospect who dominated the VHL with a .945 save percentage and 1.58 goals-against average, including 9 shutouts.

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What they’re saying

“What once looked excessive now seems intentional.”

— Doug Stein, Author

“Having six legitimate prospects in the pipeline gives the organization flexibility. If one young NHL goaltender prices himself out, a credible in-house answer is already developing.”

— Doug Stein, Author

What’s next

The Canadiens will continue to monitor the development of their goaltending prospects, with a focus on allowing them to progress at their own pace without the pressure of immediate NHL roles. The team will also need to consider long-term salary cap implications as Fowler and Dobes potentially become high-value starters.

The takeaway

The Canadiens' strategic approach to building a deep, diverse goaltending pipeline has positioned the organization well for the future. By avoiding reactionary decisions and instead taking a patient, long-term view, Montreal has created a competitive advantage that could pay dividends for years to come.