Montreal: Price optimistic about Canadiens’ future and young goalies

By Liam Tremblay — 10 August 2026 — 3 min read

Price’s perspective on the Canadiens’ goaltending duo

Former Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price has expressed optimism regarding the team’s future, particularly highlighting the potential of young netminders Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler. Price, who holds the record as the winningest goalie in Canadiens history, shared his views from his home in Kelowna, British Columbia, noting his excitement for their early success.

Price observed that both Dobes, 25, and Fowler, 21, are young players experiencing success early in their careers. He recalled his own experiences at that age, emphasizing how such achievements can build confidence not only for the goalies themselves but also for the entire team. He noted that both Dobes and Fowler appear confident in their abilities, which he considers a positive sign for the organization.

Price specifically commented on the distinct styles of the two goaltenders. He praised Dobes’s competitive spirit, describing it as having a certain “swagger” and “grrr” in his game that he enjoys watching. Conversely, Price found Fowler’s playing style to be more reserved, drawing a comparison to his own quiet approach in net. Price believes that their mentality has been a key factor in their current standing.

Reflecting on the team’s playoff run

Dobes and Fowler shared goaltending responsibilities during the team’s recent playoff run, which saw the Canadiens reach the Eastern Conference final. Dobes took on the majority of the workload, securing two critical Game 7 victories against the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Buffalo Sabres. He concluded the playoffs with a 9-10 record, a 2.66 goals-against average, and a .908 save percentage.

Fowler also gained postseason experience, stepping in for Dobes during the final 8:23 of Game 6 against the Sabres. During the regular season, Fowler posted a 9-6-2 record across 17 games, achieving a 2.43 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage. The team’s opening night starter last October, Samuel Montembeault, remains with the team and could still be a factor in goal for the Canadiens, following a challenging 2025-26 campaign.

Price’s final NHL game occurred four years ago, as he was unable to continue playing due to a knee injury that had been significantly impacted by the demands of NHL and international hockey. Despite not achieving a Stanley Cup during his career, Price believes the current Canadiens team has the potential to be a contender, though he acknowledges that many elements must align for a championship to materialize.

Price’s legacy and future recognition

During his playing career from 2007-22, Price established numerous records for the Canadiens. He leads the team in several key statistical categories, including regular-season wins, games played, saves, and shots against. His significant contributions to the franchise will be recognized in November when he is inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026.

Price continues to follow the team closely, even from a distance. He mentioned that if he wasn’t watching a game, he was likely attending his daughter’s ball game, often keeping up with the Canadiens on his phone simultaneously. He was also slated to be the pregame torchbearer at the Bell Centre if the Canadiens had not been eliminated by the eventual Stanley Cup-champion Carolina Hurricanes in five games.

Source: nhl.com