With the Montreal Canadiens about to get back to action on Sunday night, we have some news related to a couple of regular roster players. The first is somewhat concerning, as Jake Evans will be away from the team for 4-6 weeks with a lower-body injury.
Les Canadiens ont annoncé que l'attaquant Jake Evans sera absent pour une période de 4 à 6 semaines en raison d'une blessure au bas du corps.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 27, 2025
The Canadiens have announced that forward Jake Evans will miss 4 to 6 weeks with a lower-body injury. pic.twitter.com/PPLVkT8dK8
Evans left early in the December 20 game against the Pittsburgh Penguins and did not return. His absence was certainly felt in that and the proceeding games, but luckily, the acquisition of Phillip Danault could not have come at a better time. Losing Evans is decidedly problematic with the tough minutes he eats for this team, but Danault can help fill that hole in the interim.
The other piece of news is less concerning, but does present some big questions as to what the team will do moving forward. As expected, Samuel Montembeault is officially back with the Habs.
Les Canadiens ont procédé au rappel du gardien Samuel Montembeault de son affectation pour conditionnement au Rocket de Laval.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 27, 2025
The Canadiens have recalled goaltender Samuel Montembeault from his conditioning assignment with the Laval Rocket. pic.twitter.com/8Ev6I2R8AN
Montembeault was on a conditioning loan with the Laval Rocket, so it was always a matter of time before he’d be recalled. He went 0-2-0 with Laval, posting a .904 save percentage and a 2.53 GAA during those games. By most accounts, he played better than the wins and losses would suggest, and the hope is that he returns a little fresher to the NHL.
What they do now is a big question mark, as nobody was sent down, so the team is carrying three goaltenders for the time being. Jacob Fowler has played commendably of late, Jakub Dobes seems to be back on track, and the last time they carried three goaltenders during a regular season, it didn’t seem very fun for anyone involved. Whether there is a trade, or any kind of significant trade coming, it is hard to see the team keeping all three for the remainder of the season.
The holiday roster freeze is off as of tomorrow, so there could be another move coming prior to their game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, but there are no rumblings about anything as of this writing.
