For fans of NHL drama and behind-the-scenes intrigue, few stories are as compelling as the saga surrounding Montreal Canadiens’ goaltender Samuel Montembeault.

Once a waiver wire pickup, the Quebec native has rapidly ascended to become the team’s undisputed number-one netminder, turning heads across the league with his poise and consistency.

But what most fans don’t realize is just how close Montembeault came to wearing a different jersey—and how high the stakes truly were.

As whispers of blockbuster trades echoed through front offices, several powerhouse teams, including the Edmonton Oilers, reportedly made aggressive moves to pry Montembeault away from Montreal.

Why was the Oilers’ pursuit of Montembeault so intense? What did the Canadiens risk by keeping him—and what did their rivals hope to gain?

And perhaps most tantalizing of all: how might the fate of multiple franchises have changed if just one deal had gone through?

With rumors swirling, insider confirmations surfacing, and the future of two storied teams hanging in the balance, the full story behind Montembeault’s near-exit from Montreal is more fascinating than ever.

Dive deeper to uncover the twists, the negotiations, and the what-ifs that could have reshaped the NHL landscape.

Mar 6, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (29) tries to get a shot away on Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault (35) during overtime at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

There is no doubt that Samuel Montembeault has become a number-one goaltender in the National Hockey League since joining the Montreal Canadiens.

Claimed off waivers before the start of the 2021-2022 season, the Quebec-born netminder has continued to impress, and Kent Hughes rewarded him in December 2023 with a three-year contract worth a modest 3.15 million dollars per season.

Did you know that before signing him to a new deal, the Canadiens’ general manager was receiving many trade offers for his goaltender?

Confirmed: The Edmonton Oilers Tried to Acquire Samuel Montembeault via Trade

The rumor circulating at the time was indeed true!

In a recent article published on RG Media, insider Jimmy Murphy confirmed that several teams attempted to acquire Samuel Montembeault, notably the Stanley Cup finalists of the past two years, the Edmonton Oilers.

“The Canadiens have always believed that Montembeault could be a number-one goalie in the NHL, which is why they decided to offer him a contract extension on December 1, 2023, instead of trading him to potential contenders like the Edmonton Oilers, the Philadelphia Flyers, or the Arizona Coyotes, all of whom were interested in acquiring Montembeault.”

– Jimmy Murphy

So that makes three teams that were seriously interested!

We do not know, however, what the Oilers were willing to offer for Montembeault’s services, but it is interesting to note that the Canadian franchise still hasn’t resolved its goaltending situation since then.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ name was floated around, but that remains speculation in this case.

During the most recent playoffs, the Oilers rotated between their goaltenders Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard.

Let’s just say that, in the end, it affected the team’s morale, especially during the final against the Florida Panthers, which the Oilers lost in six games.