A fresh twist in Edmonton has put Samuel Montembeault back in the conversation.
Frederik Andersen’s injury has changed the picture for the Oilers as they head toward 2026 training camp, and that matters for a Montreal Canadiens goalie who was already the subject of trade chatter over the summer. The Canadiens reportedly explored every avenue to move Montembeault, but no deal came together.
Now Andersen is expected to miss Oilers training camp, and there’s a chance his return is pushed back by a few weeks once the season begins. With his injury history, it would not be a shock if he misses a sizable chunk of the year.
That’s where Montembeault comes back into focus. Edmonton’s interest in the Quebec-born netminder is not new, and the timing lines up in a way that could make sense for both sides.
The Oilers also have another layer of urgency: Connor McDavid is not signed long term, which only increases the pressure to clean up the situation in goal quickly.
Montembeault has one more selling point on his résumé. He represented Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off, a strong card for a team looking for stability in net.
Nothing is finished yet, but the possibility has clearly been revived. Against all expectations, the door has reopened for a Canadiens-Oilers deal involving Samuel Montembeault.
Montembeault is 29, stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 218 pounds. Last season, he went 10-8-4 with a 3.43 goals-against average and an .872 save percentage.
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