The Edmonton Oilers are reportedly showing interest in Montreal Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault, according to hockey writer Maxime Truman of the Montreal sports publication DanslesCoulisses.com. This report has sparked discussion about whether the 29-year-old netminder could be a fit for the Oilers' crease.
Oilers' Goaltending Situation
As of now, only Tristan Jarry is under contract for the Oilers for the upcoming season, along with minor-league goalies Nathaniel Day, Samuel Jonsson, and Matt Tomkins, none of whom played in the NHL in 2025-26. Calvin Pickard and Connor Ingram are set to become unrestricted free agents on July 1. This leaves Edmonton with a clear need for experienced goaltending depth.
Montembeault's Recent Performance
Heading into last season, Montembeault was considered one of Canada's top goalies, earning a spot on the Canadian Olympic team as the third goalie. This was due in part to a weak pool of Canadian goalies and his outstanding 2023-24 season, where he posted a 70% Quality Starts rate (per Hockey Reference) in 41 starts.
However, his performance declined significantly in 2024-25, with his Quality Starts percentage dropping to 53.3%, and further plummeting to just 34.8% last season at age 29. His save percentage was a dismal .873 last year, and he failed to appear in any playoff games for Montreal, being surpassed by younger goalies Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler. Montembeault has one year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $3.15 million, making him a potential salary dump for the Canadiens.
Trade Fit Analysis
Given Montembeault's recent struggles, a trade for him would seem questionable, especially when compared to Connor Ingram, who posted a 63.3% Quality Starts rate in 32 games for the Oilers last season. A tandem of Ingram and Jarry appears more reliable than a Montembeault-Jarry duo.
The only scenario where a Montembeault trade makes sense for Edmonton is if Montreal retains half of his salary and he comes in as a third NHL goalie, likely starting the season in the AHL alongside Samuel Jonsson. In this role, he would serve as insurance for injuries or poor performance. In return, the Oilers would likely offer a low draft pick or a minor-league prospect.
Truman noted that while Montembeault is a candidate, the Oilers have other options as well. The price demanded by Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes will be crucial, especially since Montembeault was originally claimed off waivers.
Ultimately, this potential move hinges on the cost and role. If Montreal is willing to facilitate a low-cost acquisition, Montembeault could provide depth. But as a primary option, the fit appears questionable given his recent decline.
