His preseason response couldn\u2019t have been much better. Montembeault allowed just one goal on 35 shots across three half-games<\/a>, looking sharp and composed every time he was called upon. Preseason numbers always need to be taken with some perspective, but his performances were exactly what the Canadiens wanted to see. More importantly, he looked confident and calm between the pipes.<\/p>\n Last season wasn\u2019t representative of what Montreal had previously seen from Montembeault. At his best, he can give the Canadiens quality starts and keep them in games even when they aren\u2019t playing their best hockey. His challenge now is carrying this momentum into the regular season.<\/p>\n A good preseason won\u2019t erase the questions surrounding Montreal\u2019s crease, but Montembeault has certainly done his part to make the conversation much more interesting.<\/p>\n Florian Xhekaj<\/p>\n Coming into training camp, Florian Xhekaj<\/a> faced a difficult path to making the Canadiens. Montreal already had plenty of forwards competing for roster spots, meaning simply having a decent camp wasn\u2019t going to be enough. Xhekaj needed to give the organization a reason to keep him around. That\u2019s exactly what he did.<\/p>\n Xhekaj\u2019s physicality, grit, energy, and willingness to compete have been noticeable throughout camp. He understands the type of player he needs to be to reach the NHL and hasn\u2019t tried to become something he\u2019s not. Instead, he has leaned into the qualities that separate him from Montreal\u2019s other forwards.<\/p>\n At 6-foot-3 and over 190 pounds, Xhekaj brings a physical dimension that can be valuable in the Canadiens\u2019 bottom six. He isn\u2019t afraid to finish checks, battle around the net, or stand up for teammates. There is an identity to his game that makes him an intriguing option. More importantly, his play appears to have been enough to put him in position to make the initial roster.<\/p>\n That would be a significant accomplishment considering how crowded Montreal\u2019s forward group was entering camp. The Canadiens weren\u2019t necessarily looking for another skilled forward. They needed players who could fill specific roles, and Xhekaj has demonstrated that he can bring something different.<\/p>\n Whether he stays in the lineup throughout the season remains to be seen, but he couldn\u2019t have done much more to strengthen his case during the preseason.<\/p>\n Lane Hutson<\/p>\n![\"Florian](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Florian-Xhekaj-Jakub-Dobes-Canadiens-1200x865.jpg\")
Montreal Canadiens forward Florian Xhekaj and teammate goalie Jakub Dobes celebrate (Eric Bolte-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n