Oilers Could Address Two Needs in Big Deal with the Canadiens

If the Edmonton Oilers are looking for goaltending help and a veteran winger with a north-south, gritty style, the Montreal Canadiens just so happen to have two options available. There’s nothing cooking between the two teams, but the potential makings of a big trade are there, assuming Edmonton sees either Sam Montembeault or Brendan Gallagher as pieces that could help in 2026-27.

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Potential Oilers-Canadiens Trade: Samuel Montembeault and Brendan Gallagher to Edmonton?

The Edmonton Oilers’ search for goaltending stability and veteran depth could lead them directly to Montreal this offseason, with rumors and speculation linking the two clubs in trade discussions.

According to several insiders, including Pierre LeBrun and Frank Seravalli, Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault is almost certainly on the move this summer. With Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler rising quickly in the system, Montreal is expected to trade the 29-year-old netminder rather than carry three NHL-caliber goalies into 2026-27.

Montembeault carries a manageable $3.15 million cap hit for one more season. While his 2025-26 numbers were inconsistent, he has shown starter-level ability in the past and performed well for Canada internationally. For an Oilers team still searching for answers after Stuart Skinner’s playoff inconsistencies and Tristan Jarry’s not being the solution after Skinner was traded, Montembeault represents a lower-risk, higher-upside upgrade or tandem option.

Edmonton has been actively scouting goaltending help, and with limited or more expensive options, Montembeault has emerged as one of the more realistic targets on the trade market.

Related: Brendan Gallagher Confirms He’s Leaving Canadiens, Open To Joining Home Team

Could Brendan Gallagher Be Included?

Adding Brendan Gallagher to the deal would make this a bigger cap-clearing package for Montreal. The Canadiens would either have to take back a sizeable contract or retain salary in the trade, but he’s the kind of player who could serve a bottom-six role for the Oilers.

The 34-year-old winger has one year left at $6.5 million and has essentially confirmed his tenure with the Canadiens is over. His gritty style, leadership, and playoff experience could appeal to the Oilers as a bottom-six energy player, especially if Montreal retains $3.25 million.

A combined deal would allow Montreal to shed nearly $6.4 million in cap space, allowing them to make a pitch in free agency or trade for other pieces they believe will upgrade their already competitive roster.

Realistic Trade Framework

Oilers receive:

• Samuel Montembeault
• Brendan Gallagher (with salary retention)

Canadiens receive:

• A mid-tier prospect (forward or defenseman)
• A 2027 2nd-round pick
• Mattias Janmark
• Possibly a 2028 3rd or 2029 4th-round pick

This structure gives Edmonton immediate help in net and the dressing room while giving Montreal future assets, a serviceble depth forward, and cap flexibility without giving up major NHL talent.

Likelihood and Timing

Let’s look at this trade idea from a few perspectives:

• Montembeault alone → Realistic, assuming the Oilers see Montembeault as a solid option. Edmonton could try to move Jarry or they could let Connor Ingram walk, clearing space for Montembeault to be part of the tandem.

• Montembeault + Gallagher package → Plausible but harder to facilitate. It would depend on Edmonton’s willingness to take on Gallagher’s cap hit (in part or in whole) and Montreal’s desire to move both players at once. If Gallagher is bought out, it might actually increase Edmonton’s odds of being interested.

For the Oilers, this might be a “win-now” move to support Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. For the Canadiens, it’s another step in reshaping the roster and the chance to move off of a couple of pieces that aren’t likely to stick around.

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