For most hockey fans, evaluating a goaltender boils down to two key questions: Does he let in soft goals, and can he stop the shots coming his way? This basic judgment is often paired with a glance at stats like Goals Against Average (GAA) and Save Percentage (Sv%).
But seasoned NHL General Managers know there’s much more to the position than what meets the eye. Many rely on former goaltenders and goalie coaches for both amateur and professional scouting. Why? Because the nuances of the position go far beyond stopping pucks.
Beyond the obvious
What else matters beyond saving the puck, you ask? As someone who played the position for 25 years, I’ll break it down. Fellow goaltenders will surely agree.
1- Mental toughness
The mental side of hockey is critical for all players, but it’s absolutely essential for goalies. Confidence is key, but so is the ability to “forget and move on.” No one is more acutely aware of a bad goal than the goaltender who allowed it. The challenge lies in shaking it off and staying sharp for the next shot.
Personally, after letting in a soft goal, I’d get angry with myself and refocus, thinking: “They’re not scoring another one this game.” That mindset fuels resilience.
2- Rebound control
This aspect is vastly underrated. Last year, as the media praised Sam Montembeault for leading the NHL in “saves above expectations,” I couldn’t help but shake my head. Bad rebound control—failing to smother shots or deflect pucks to safer areas—leaves defensemen scrambling and invites additional scoring chances. More rebounds mean more saves required, and those second and third opportunities are much tougher to handle.
3- Puck handling
Remember why the NHL introduced the trapezoid behind the net? It was because of Martin Brodeur, who acted like a third defenseman for the New Jersey Devils. His puck-handling skills were so effective that the league restricted goalies from venturing into the corners.
Carey Price also excelled at this, giving his defensemen the chance to peel off to the corners for controlled passes rather than enduring punishing hits and pressure. A goaltender who can handle the puck well changes the dynamic of the game, alleviating pressure on the defense.
4- Positioning
Positioning is another under-appreciated skill. Patrick Roy and Carey Price made goaltending look easy, not because they lacked highlight-reel saves, but because they rarely needed them. Their exceptional positioning and smooth lateral movement meant they were often in the right spot, making saves look routine.
Patrick Roy, with the help of goalie coach François Allaire, revolutionized the butterfly style, while Price combined that technique with elements of Martin Brodeur’s hybrid approach. Former Rangers goaltender Mike Richter explained it best:
“Most fans go wild when they see a goalie make what looks like a great save, but the chances are what they are seeing is a save that was made from being out of position.“
The State of Goaltending in Montreal
Montreal Canadiens fans have been spoiled by a legacy of legendary goaltenders: Jacques Plante, Ken Dryden, Patrick Roy, and Carey Price. These icons set a standard that is almost impossible to meet, creating sky-high expectations for their successors.
Today’s Canadiens lack top-tier goaltending, and it’s showing. The biggest issue with the current tandem is rebound control, which leaves an already young and vulnerable defense exposed. With a Carey Price-caliber goalie smothering pucks, managing rebounds and playing the puck, this team would look entirely different.
Samuel Montembeault, while solid, is best suited as a backup. Meanwhile, Cayden Primeau’s physical talent is evident, but his ability to recover mentally from bad goals remains a question mark, as explained by my colleague Bob Trask earlier this week.
The Canadiens do have promising prospects in their system. Jacob Fowler is regarded as a potential future star, but he’s at least three to four years away from NHL readiness. Jakub Dobes is progressing well in the AHL with the Laval Rocket, but he too needs time to develop into a possible starter.
Bridging the gap
For the sake of the Canadiens’ young defensemen and the team’s overall development, acquiring a starting goaltender for the next two to three years is essential. GM Kent Hughes has expressed his desire for the team to “be in the mix” this season, but goaltending remains a glaring Achilles’ heel.
It’s just one piece of the puzzle, but it’s a piece that demands urgent attention. Addressing it could help transform the Canadiens from a team learning to compete into one learning how to win.
On that note, I leave you with some quotes from some reputable goaltenders. Until next time…
QUOTES
“Only a goalie can appreciate what a goalie goes through.” ~ Jacques Plante
“How would you like it if, at your job, every time you made the slightest mistake a little red light went on over your head and 18,000 people stood up and screamed at you?” ~ Jacques Plante
“A goalie’s job is to stop pucks. Well, yeah, that’s part of it. But you know what else it is? You’re trying to deliver a message to your team that things are OK back here. This end of the ice is pretty well cared for. You take it now and go. Go! Feel the freedom you need in order to be that dynamic, creative, offensive player and go out and score. That was my job. And it was to try to deliver a feeling.” ~ Ken Dryden
“Because the demands on the goalie are mostly mental, it means that for a goalie the biggest enemy is himself. Not a puck, not a opponent, not a quirk of size or style. The stress and anxiety he feels when he plays, the fear of failing, the fear of being embarrassed, the fear of being physically hurt, all symptoms of his position, in constant ebb and flow, but never disappearing. The successful goalie understands these neuroses, accept them, and put them under control. The unsuccessful goalie is distracted by them, his mind in knots. His body quickly follows.” ~ Ken Dryden
