Oilers reportedly eyeing Montreal's Montembeault as trade target
Edmonton has expressed interest in goaltender Samuel Montembeault as Calvin Pickard and Connor Ingram become unrestricted free agents July 1.
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The Edmonton Oilers are exploring a trade for Montreal Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault as they address their goaltending situation ahead of free agency, according to reporting from Montreal sports publication DanslesCoulisses.com.
Montembeault, 29, had a weak 2025-26 season, posting a .873 save percentage and just 34.8 per cent Quality Starts—metrics measuring starts where a goalie's save percentage exceeds the league average. His decline stands sharp against a dominant 2023-24 campaign that earned him selection to Canada's Olympic team as the third goalie.
The timing of Edmonton's interest centers on free agency: Calvin Pickard and Connor Ingram will become unrestricted free agents on July 1, leaving only Tristan Jarry under contract with the team. Montembeault carries one year remaining on his Montreal deal at US$3.15 million.
A potential deal would likely require Montreal to absorb part of Montembeault's salary, with him arriving in Edmonton as a third-string option to play in the AHL. That configuration would cost the Oilers a low draft pick or minor-league prospect at most. The alternative—pairing Ingram and Jarry—might offer a stronger tandem given Ingram's 63.3 per cent Quality Starts in 32 games last season.
For Montreal, the trade represents an opportunity to clear a struggling goaltender who failed to earn a single playoff appearance this year.