FHN Today: Sam Montembeault signs with Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers got another piece of unfinished offseason business check off Sunday as goalie Sam Montembeault signed a one-year, two-way deal.

Montembeault was a restricted free agent this summer — and will be again next year — and will come to camp looking to battle for a roster spot.

While it is assumed Spencer Knight will join Sergei Bobrovsky on the NHL roster, perhaps the Panthers decide to let Knight go to AHL Charlotte and play a majority of the games there instead of backing up in the NHL.

Don’t bet on it. We’re thinking it will be Bobrovsky and Knight in Florida with Montembeault and newly-signed Chris Gibson fighting for the No. 3 spot.

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Montembeault, 24, played in 13 games with AHL Syracuse this past season, going 8-4-1 with a .898 save percentage and 2.86 GAA.

Although he dressed for a few games and served as the backup, Montembeault did not appear in a game for the Panthers in 2021.

Now, the Panthers only have a few more things to do on their summetime checklist — and they’re big ones.

The first move should be the signing of Sam Reinhart to a new contract. That should come this week.

After that will be the long-term contract extension for captain Sasha Barkov.

AROUND THE NHL

So, on Saturday, the estranged wife of Evander Kane made accusations on Instagram that he bet on his own games while with the San Jose Sharks.

Kane, obviously, denied it.

Now there’s more. This is not a pretty situation. (SJHN)

— The Pittsburgh Penguins have more coming, right? (PHN) 

— The Capitals aren’t blowing things up and are trying to make another run.(WHN) 

— The Red Wings have been bad for some time — but things are looking up in Detroit.(DHN)