It’s no secret that the Edmonton Oilers need to improve between the pipes if they hope to return to the level that saw them reach back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals in 2024 and 2025.
With Stuart Skinner gone, Calvin Pickard in the American Hockey League and Connor Ingram set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, Tristan Jarry is the only NHL-ready goaltender under contract in Alberta.
Jarry struggled mightily after coming over from the Pittsburgh Penguins, finishing with a ghastly 3.86 goals-against average and .858 save percentage in 2025-26. He is likely better suited as a backup, meaning the Oilers will once again need to explore options for a potential starter.
Enter the Montreal Canadiens, who have intriguing depth in goal.
Jakub Dobes just put together an impressive Stanley Cup Playoff run, while Jacob Fowler is one of the organization’s top prospects. With both netminders pushing for larger roles in the years ahead, Montreal could eventually find itself with a crowded crease.
That has led to speculation surrounding Samuel Montembeault’s future with the franchise.
As Maxime Truman of Montreal sports publication DansLesCoulisses.com reported earlier this week, the Oilers are one of the teams keeping an eye on the Canadiens goaltender.
“I’ve learned that the Oilers have a strong interest in Samuel Montembeault. They aren’t the only ones, and Montembeault isn’t the only candidate on their list, but there’s clearly a path that could lead to a trade,” Truman wrote.
“The Oilers have spent years searching for stability in goal, and the Tristan Jarry/Stuart Skinner switch hasn’t had the desired effect in Alberta. Calvin Pickard and Connor Ingram will become unrestricted free agents on July 1. Jarry is therefore the only goaltender currently under contract with the Oilers.”
Montembeault endured a difficult 2025-26 season. After opening the campaign as Montreal’s starter, he lost the job and was eventually assigned to the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League.
In 25 appearances, the 29-year-old posted a 3.43 goals-against average and .872 save percentage. His Quality Starts percentage also declined significantly, dropping from 70 percent in 2023-24 to 53.3 percent in 2024-25 before falling to just 34.8 percent last season.
Montembeault has one year remaining on a contract carrying a $3.15 million cap hit, and that could make him an intriguing buy-low candidate for Edmonton.
Still, the Oilers may be better off simply re-signing Ingram and entering next season with an Ingram-Jarry tandem.
If Edmonton does decide to pursue Montembeault, the question becomes whether a change of scenery could help him rediscover the form that once made him Montreal’s No. 1 goaltender.
The post NHL rumors: Canadiens goaltender linked to Oilers after brutal season appeared first on ClutchPoints.
