The Edmonton Oilers are reportedly eyeing Sam Montembeault, a goalie with a checkered past but a promising future. Montembeault, who spent five seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, is a prime trade candidate due to his underwhelming performance last season. With a $3.15 million AAV and one year remaining on his contract, the Oilers must carefully consider whether to take the risk on a goalie who was once a model of consistency.
Montembeault's value has never been lower, and his performance last season was an outlier when compared to his numbers over the past few years. For three consecutive seasons, he ranked among the best goalies in the league at producing above-average performances, despite spotty defense in front of him. In 2024-25, he was a key reason the Habs made a surprise trip to the playoffs. However, last season was a different story. In 25 games, he posted a career-low .872 save percentage, with minus-3.69 goals saved above expected. This poor performance opened the door for Montreal's young netminders to take over the crease, and he was pushed up to the press box during the Canadiens' playoff run.
What makes Montembeault particularly fascinating is the potential for a savvy buy-low opportunity. The Canadiens have no use for him anymore, and his value plummeted after the 2025-26 campaign. Yet, most of Montembeault's issues were concentrated within a disastrous one-month stretch. Other than that, he's been at worst serviceable, and at best, one of the better starting goalies in the NHL over the last handful of years. It's not every day a goalie with his track record is available at a discount.
From my perspective, the Oilers' interest in Montembeault is understandable, but his $3.15 million cap hit could be tricky to navigate. Edmonton already has $7.935 million committed to their crease next season between Jarry and the Jack Campbell buyout. Would the Oilers be willing to spend over $11 million on their goalie tandem when both netminders are coming off down years? Or is the risk worth the potential reward?
One thing that immediately stands out is the potential for Montembeault to provide a much-needed boost to the Oilers' defense. With a solid goalie in net, the Oilers' defense could be more effective, and the team could potentially make a run at the playoffs. However, the risk of Montembeault's performance tanking again is a concern that the Oilers must carefully consider.
In my opinion, the Oilers should be cautious in their pursuit of Montembeault. While his track record is impressive, his recent performance has been a cause for concern. The team must carefully evaluate the potential risks and rewards of adding him to their roster. If the Oilers are willing to take the risk, Montembeault could be a valuable addition to their team, providing a much-needed boost to their defense and a potential pathway to the playoffs.
