The Hellebuyck market could break the deadlock in the Montembeault market

Raphael Simard
The Hellebuyck market could break the deadlock in the Montembeault market
Credit: Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

With just a few days to go before training camp begins, the Canadiens still have a few issues to work out.

Their goaltending trio is one of them.

Will Samuel Montembeault be traded before the start of the season? That might depend on Connor Hellebuyck. According to Marco D'Amico (The Starr and D'Amico Show), a trade involving Hellebuyck could unlock several other trades.

Let's just say the Canadiens don't want to start the season with three goalies, but we know Kent Hughes is patient and wouldn't trade his No. 3 goalie for nothing. Still according to D'Amico, trading Monty this season—since he'll become an unrestricted free agent next July—is the most sensible solution.

Perhaps once Hellebuyck is traded, the Jets would turn to a guy like Montembeault, who has already proven he can be a No. 1 goaltender.

And if Winnipeg calls about Monty, a bigger trade involving Gabriel Vilardi or Mark Scheifele could come together…

Unlike the Dylan Larkin situation, which seems more complicated, the Hellebuyck deal could very well come together before the start of the season, which could also facilitate Montembeault's departure.

So these will be two situations to watch. I don't think that, following the Jets' goaltender's public request and his desire to leave Winnipeg, the organization will want to start the 2026–2027 season with him in net.


In a Nutshell

– Speaking of the Wolf.

– Too bad.

– Yes.

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